St. Louis Hills House Tour 2023

28 • St. Louis Hills House Tour • 2023 6236 Loran continued glass block to the American public in 1933 at the Chicago Century of Progress Exhibition. They did so by constructing a jaw-dropping building made entirely of glass block - nearly 25,000 of them. It was a temporary structure built for the Horticultural Exhibition. Sometime in the 1990s an addition was added to the back of the house. The giant floor to ceiling window that was the back wall of the house was saved, and it is Jill’s favorite feature of the house. It gives just the right amount of delineation between the living room and what is now the dining room. Jill shared, “Joe’s favorite part is the dining room with all the windows overlooking our backyard.” The backyard landscaping was a major undertaking. She said during the pandemic the two of them split up the tedious work of clearing the entire hillside of ivy and unruly weeds, and incorporated loads of fresh dirt. They created a serene landscape under soaring, mature trees. The primary bedroom was updated with elements echoing the black and white geometric lines and shapes that contrast with hardwood floors. The bedroom’s picture window and door leads out to a balcony overlooking their back yard, as does their daughter’s bedroom. Each of the home’s spaces speaks to each other by repeating use of geometric lines and circles. The main floor bath has the original square garden tub, but the 1950s pink tile was a bit too dated. Simple white tile was chosen to complement a new glass shower door enclosure and dark slate flooring. The clean simplicity focuses on the large glass block window that lights the room. The basement remodel provides additional space for movie watching or enjoying the warmth of the fireplace. The concrete floors were stained a rich chocolate color. Joe’s office and spare room have the original doors, but were placed on rollers instead of hinges. The downstairs bathroom also lost the pink tiles, but gained penny tile flooring, walnut vanity cabinet and updated fixtures. Jill said another wonderful part of living in St. Louis Hills have been their neighbors. “We had wonderful neighbors in our old home, and we have wonderful neighbors here!”