Native St. Louisans Cindy and Eddy Potter had been living in Washington, D.C., for almost a decade in 2001 when they learned a Ladue home Cindy had always admired was on the market. “It belonged to Dr. Haertter, who used to be headmaster of John Burroughs, where all the kids in our family went,” Cindy Potter says. “We ended up buying it because we decided it was best for our four boys to grow up in St. Louis.”
Built in 1925, the stately English manor-style home, which saw some additions in the ’90s, provided plenty of space for the Potters’ growing boys. Although nearly a century old, it has been kept in top shape, Potter says, and the family hasn’t had to do much to it, other than updating some of the bathrooms.
Like most family homes, the gourmet kitchen was its heart. “It’s where everybody congregated, and I could always talk to the kids there while I was cooking,” Potter says. With large windows and French doors opening to a deck, the kitchen is filled with natural light, Potter says. “I would put my bird feeder out there and just watch the birds. You really feel like you’re outside.”
A major point of pride for her is the unique dining room wallpaper. Featuring monuments of Paris and the dusty blues and deep greens of a sunny summer day, it is a reproduction of an 1814 block-printed wall covering currently on display at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. After it was featured in Architectural Digest, Potter decided she had to have it for her dining room. “It has since been discontinued,” Potter says, and in fact she later found out she got the last printing.
A much-needed oasis in a house filled with the hustle and bustle of four boys, the spacious master bedroom features a fireplace, master bath, sitting area and a small balcony perfect for peaceful mornings sipping coffee. “I always liked to open the door and go out on the balcony and look around the backyard,” Potter says.
The home’s 3 acres, including pool and patio, provided an ideal place for the family to spend hot summer afternoons. “Of course, the kids loved the pool,” Potter says. “We would have barbecues, and a few big parties. The kids entertained a lot, too.”
Now that their children are grown and out of the house, Potter says it’s time to downsize. “I’m sorry to leave it, but there are only two of us roaming around now,” she says.
listing price | $2,350,000
listing agent | tom alexander and stuart minton of laura mccarthy
By Stephanie Zeilenga
Photos by Steven B. Smith
