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Historic Clayton home bursts with art and color
By Amy Burger
SPECIAL TO THE POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Feb. 13 2010
Photos by Laurie Skrivan - lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
When "social services entrepreneur" Karen Kalish purchased her historic mansion
on the border of Clayton and University City in 2002, the house was in good
physical shape but was painted throughout in traditional dark, drab colors that
didn't accentuate its grand features. Shortly after moving in, Kalish was
approached by organizers to have her house included on the Chaminade House
Tour. She agreed and had exactly eight months to redecorate the three-story
house from top to bottom in preparation for the tour.
Kalish is an active director of several area nonprofit initiatives to improve literacy and engage inner city youth in social justice and social change. She needed a home that matched her vibrant personality. She had every room of the huge house painted a different bright color, and adorned nearly every inch with her stunning art collection and an eclectic mix of antique and modern furnishings.
"You can't be in a bad mood in this house," she declares.
The house, built in 1905, once belonged to the locally prominent Desloge family. Although it is a traditional Victorian house, it is clear upon entering that it's anything but a traditional home. In the entry foyer, visitors are greeted by a full-sized, multicolored, quilted skeleton happily seated on a fuchsia shantung armchair beside one of the house's four original fireplaces. Kalish purchased the skeleton, a piece by renowned quilt sculptor Susan Else, at the Quilt National Show in St. Charles and named her "Stelly" after her grandmother, Estelle.
All over the house, colors beam from the walls, like standing inside a kaleidoscope. The bright, orange foyer leads into a magenta parlor with orange leather chairs and built-in bookcases lining a turquoise-padded window seat.
For the house tour, she placed placards next to all of her artwork, featuring the artist, title and explanation of the piece, which she has left in place, making the house feel like a modern art museum. In the parlor hangs the first piece of art Kalish purchased — a geometric print by famous Israeli artist Yaacov Agam. A needlepoint throw pillow made by Kalish's mother featuring the same pattern as the painting sits on the window seat nearby.
The parlor leads into the chartreuse living room, where more of Kalish's vast collection is on display. The centerpiece of the room is a coffee table, the base of which is a giant ball maze.
Even the house itself has become a piece of art. On a back staircase, each step is painted with a different color and pattern. In the kitchen, a multicolor "rug" is hand-painted on the floor beneath a center island, and inspirational sayings are painted along the ceiling above. One reads, "Boldness has genius."
The large, open first floor of the home creates a festive environment for fundraisers Kalish hosts regularly for her own nonprofit organizations as well other local organizations. Kalish's office and bedroom are located on the second floor. At age 54, she went to Harvard University and got a master's degree in public policy. Proud of her accomplishment, Kalish had her degree blown up and made into wallpaper for the bathroom next to her office.
In every direction, Kalish's house is a feast for the eyes.