Building a house allows homeowners to put their stamp on every little nook and corner. It’s a dream opportunity for many, including Chris Win and her husband, Patrick, who tailor-made their Clayton home to reflect their interests and lifestyle. The perfect place for their family of six, this modern masterpiece is a shining example of the power of starting from the ground up.
T&S | What attracted you to Clayton?
Chris Win | Patrick and I met at Wash U. as undergrads, and I used to run in the neighborhoods around campus, including the one where we ended up. I always thought it was such a tranquil, picturesque place to live. I’m from Colorado, so I wasn’t planning to stay in St. Louis long-term. When it became clear that my husband and I were settling down here, my first thought was about this neighborhood because I have so many fond memories.
T&S | Why did you decide to build?
CW | Patrick isn’t from St. Louis either, and the houses were relatively new where we both grew up. It took me a long time to get used to the idea of homes built in the 1930s. When we were deciding where to live, we were worried about buying into problems with an older home. My husband felt really strongly that a new build would meet his aesthetic style better and give us a house that wasn’t in need of repairs or updates. It also was important that our home be efficient and green-certified, which it is.
T&S | What did you want from the design?
CW | We wanted something modern, really clean and simple. One of the biggest challenges was finding the right contractors because the design we wanted isn’t usually seen in residential settings. Natural light was also a big priority. Sunlight is important to me! I know I’m not going to get it every day, but I wanted as much as possible coming inside. The third floor has great, triangular windows, and it’s one of my favorite places because of the natural light.
T&S | How was working with an architect?
CW | It was great. We had a really good relationship with our architect, George Johannes. We had never built a home before and were really happy about the level of collaboration. He was easy to work with and communicated very well. It was clear he really wanted to help make our vision happen, and that felt great.
T&S | How does your interior style work with the architecture of the house?
CW | We didn’t have an interior designer, which I think is uncommon when building a home. Patrick and I have the same aesthetic sensibility, and we knew what we liked. It was easy for us to pair the very modern exterior with a clean, simple, mid-century interior.
T&S | The squirt sign really stands out.
CW | There’s a story behind that sign. It’s the one thing we kept from the house that was on the lot before we built. It was run-down, but we wanted to salvage as much as we could. We wanted to recycle things, so we sold whatever we could. The Squirt sign was in the basement, and I was blown away when we found it. It’s incredible. We knew when drawing the plans for the new house that there had to be a place for it. It was integral to the design process, and we kept it in storage while our home was being built. It’s a little sentimental, and I think it’s a nice reminder of what used to be here and how we made something new.
T&S | Tell me about the kids’ play area.
CW | I have four kids, so one of the things I knew I needed was a playroom. I wanted my children to be able to have friends over and enjoy the house. It’s also great that there is a place where my husband and I can play with them. There are two drum sets so my husband can play with our son. That room is all about having a fun, comfortable place to enjoy spending time with each other.
T&S | The music studio is impressive.
CW | Patrick is a musician. He doesn’t do it for a living, but he plays the guitar and drums. Since I’ve known him, he’s always dreamed of having a recording studio. It’s really gratifying to have that dream realized. We didn’t have the studio when we first moved in because the kids were still young. It’s been done for about a year. He wanted professional quality, so he brought in people from Nashville to help. It was a long but really cool process. It’s 100-percent soundproof, and it still amazes me that I don’t hear anything. He also uses it with our kids. Music is a big part of our family, so it’s exciting to give them a space where they can have fun and be creative.
T&S | What’s your favorite room?
CW | It’s a toss-up. I love the third floor. When you’re up there, it’s all about fun; there’s no work to door dishe to wash. It also feels like a treehouse in the summer because of the amazing windows and the trees around the property. But I also love the livingroom. It doesn’t have a TV, and I’m excited to have a room where people can enjoy just being with each other. It’s probably where I spend most of my time.
