from the homeowners »
Dr. Zachary Varble and his wife, Amy, knew this house would be the perfect fit for their family. After renting a home in the neighborhood, they had fallen in love with the area. “It’s right on the border between the city and county, so you get the best of both worlds,” he says. Five years later, they are ready to move on, but they’re taking plenty of great memories and leaving the home ready for another family to make their own.
What do you like about the location?
There aren’t many places that are close to dining and shopping and still have a welcoming neighborhood feel. The street is quiet enough that our kids could play outside, and it wasn’t uncommon for us to walk to dinner and then catch a movie at The Hi-Pointe Theatre. The proximity to Forest Park also is a nice perk if you like being outdoors. I would run in the mornings, and there is so much to do together as a family there.
Did you make any renovations?
The house was built in 1929. Older homes have many unique charms, but they also require updates. We redid the floors, replaced the roof, and put new windows and skylights in the sunroom. When we moved in, the basement wasn’t completely finished, so we tackled that, too. We converted a closet into the wine room, which is one of my favorite things we did. We worked with Reclaim Renew, a local woodworking company that harvests old wood and refinishes it for new projects.
The living room really captures the style of the 1920s. There are original wood beams and a lot of natural light thanks to French doors on the southern wall. Even though it’s a big space, the fireplace keeps it nice and cozy even in the winter.
How did you use the outdoor space?
That’s another area of the home we updated. Originally, there were two terra cotta patios that didn’t connect and were in ill repair. We took them out and put in a larger, stone patio. We really enjoyed sitting outside, cooking dinner on the grill and hanging out with our dogs.
Is the home set up well for entertaining?
The layout is different from a lot of modern floor plans, which are more of an open concept. The kitchen is a little separated from other rooms, but we added a butler’s pantry, which makes it a great space for entertaining. We had several dinner parties, and sometimes we brought in a chef. It was wonderful to be able to relax with our guests in the dining room while things were happening in the kitchen. After dinner, sitting by the fire in the living room was the perfect way to close the evening.
from the agents »
This home seamlessly blends style, comfort and luxury, making it the perfect setting for all of life’s occasions and proving that elegance doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.
—Sam Hall & Jeffrey Warner
list price | $1,100,000
listing agents | The Warner Hall Group
agency | Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
Photos: Square One Media