Well proportioned and handsome

Isn't this Flora Place house cute? I found it in my mansard photo folder and I think I was 'saving it' for the holidays. I guess it is the right season to post it. I like how there is a pumpkin on the porch and a Christmas wreath on the door, just like my house.

Flora place

I am working on some juicy bad mansard posts. Until I finish with those, I am presenting to you one of my favorite houses on Flora Place. It is somewhat plain compared to the larger mansions that surround it. 3816 Flora is where my grandmother grew up back in the 1930's and 1940's. A gorgeous and smart lady who matriculated from Roosevelt High School and later from Washington University.

She was Presbyterian and attended Tyler Place Church around the corner from this house. I, on the other hand, am Catholic and drive my kids over to school in her old neighborhood to attend St. Margaret of Scotland. I came across a family genealogy chart that showed her mother's family (the Starr's and Chester's) to be descendants of, wait for it, Queen Margaret of Scotland. Small world.

J'adore!

I love this sweet little mini-Mansard on Flora Place in Shaw. Tres chic. Mansards aren't that prevalent in Shaw. True, there are some period faux-sards (buildings with a 'cap' on them to resemble a mansard) and one super bad infill mansard we'll see tomorrow. But not many mansards as cute as this: Excellent proportion, nice colors and well-executed landscaping. Perfect little empty nest house. I would love to live there in 2035 when I am 65 and ready to retire. I'll hobble to mass at St. Margaret's and work in the Shaw/Flora Place garden club.

My kids were ready to move to Flora Place yesterday. They would love to be closer to their school, their friends and have the wonderful green space for playing. I love our house now; not sure I'd ever move. If I did, I've got my eye on this house, also on Flora Place.

I case you were wondering, I have 4 St. Louis dream streets: Flora Place, Shaw Place, Hawthorne, and Longfellow.