from the homeowner | Terry and Roger Beachy purchased this Clayton home two decades ago with a vision of transforming it into an English-style cottage. “We didn’t know what kind of house we wanted when we first came to St. Louis from California, but when I walked into this one, it won my heart,” Terry says. “My family is from England, so we added a lot of touches that remind me of home. The house was a blank slate to start with, but we have enjoyed making it our own.” The couple is relocating closer to family, but Terry says fond memories of the home’s many charms will stay with her.
It’s wonderful for a growing family. We spent most of our time on the main floor, but there also is a large, finished lower level where our grandchildren loved playing and relaxing. It has a family room area with a TV and lots of comfortable features. It’s almost like a separate wing just for the kids, so they can play in their own space but still be close by.
Does the home accommodate guests well?
The living and dining rooms, family area and kitchen all connect, so the space flows well, and there’s also a deck on the back of the house. In warmer months, we could entertain groups of up to 150 people by putting a tent over the deck and creating a circular flow of guests through the house. This home has been the central gathering place for our relatives, too. And the lower level would work perfectly as a mother-in-law suite.
What kind of landscaping have you done?
The yard needed a lot of work when we moved in. Over a period of about 10 years, we created an English perennial garden that pretty much surrounds the house. It’s the place where we started our spring and summer days with a cup of tea and relaxed in the evening with a glass of wine. The yard is well covered by mature trees, so mulch beds and shade plants have become my friends over the years.
What else is special about the garden?
In the spring and summer, there are columbines, hydrangeas, clematis, azaleas, rhododendrons and others. I love the fact that you’ll have flowers of one color this week, then when they are done blooming, something else will pop up to surprise you. There also are wonderful stone paths that invite you in or inspire you to go for a stroll around the house. People walk by all the time and ask, “How do you keep the garden looking so beautiful?” But it’s really not hard to maintain.
What is the neighborhood like?
The area is so quiet and pleasant, you might have a hard time believing you can walk a block or two and be in the heart of Clayton with all of its restaurants and shops. The house is an amazing hideaway that’s still close to everything.
from the agents
“When you step into the entry foyer, you will know you are home.”
– Mark and Neil Gellman
Listing price | $900,000
Listing agent | Mark and Neil Gellman
Agency | The Gellman Team | eXp Realty
Phone | 314.336.1991 | 314.647.0001
Photos courtesy of The Gellman Team