The first hint that someone interesting lives here is the statue of David decorated with feathers topped with a dried artichoke sitting beside the side-door entry to a third floor living quarters. Those who attended this year's CWEA House Tour were probably as charmed as I was by Francisco Sanjurjo's 1000 s.f. living space on Westminster Place. It is not an apartment in the usual sense—Francisco does not pay rent, but instead helps with the homeowners' large gardens and cares for the house and pets when they are traveling. This arrangement is not uncommon in the CWE. I am aware of several carriage houses where a lucky few live in return for help in the yard and house.
Francisco was born in Puerto Rico and obtained his degree in Biology at U.of I.- Bloomington. He moved to St. Louis after graduating in 1990 and went to work at Washington University. The house where he lives now was owned at the time by the daughter of his mother's best friend and she offered him a room. Francisco helped with her garden, and when the current owners bought the house they asked him to stay on. They invited him to live in the larger space on the third floor you see above and in the following photos. When Francisco moved in he went to work transforming the apartment.
For the past 15 years Francisco has been a researcher at Monsanto. Though he misses Puerto Rico he gets home on occasion, and his mother visits frequently, including last week when she was here to spend time with her son and with friends who live here too.
Francisco said he has always had an eye for decorating but has never had a large budget to furnish his living quarters. He's accumulated everything since he arrived in St. Louis, picking up pieces at thrift stores and others that have been given to him.
The book shelf opposite the kitchen, shown above, holds an assortment of cookbooks (more on his culinary skills follow) and,
a charming black and white photograph of his late grandmother in her kitchen.
Francisco loves to entertain and can fit as many as ten people around a glass-top table in his combination living/dining room.
The striking painting by local artist Fern Taylor reminds Francisco of colors found in Puerto Rico. Light from an east window reflects off of it so beautifully it glows.
A set of glass nesting tables is arranged to be utilitarian and provide another opportunity for decoration. Notice the single red leaf tucked underneath the largest table.
When Francisco needs to bounce decorating ideas off someone he calls on his friend Virgil Carter, who works at Kim Kuehner Sportswear in Ladue. Virgil made all of the window treatments and shower curtain (see photo below), pillows, and even upholstered the furniture!
Dr. Helen Donis-Keller was a Professor of Genetics and Surgery at W.U. when Francisco worked in her department. Dr. Donis-Keller is also an artist who created the self-portrait lower right. She later moved to Boston where she earned a Masters Degree in Art and now teaches art and science at Olin College of Engineering.
The glass shelf shown above is cleverly suspended upon irregularly-shaped glass "marbles."
The tiny bathroom, which links the living area with the bedroom, is as full of charm as the rest of the apartment.
A radiator cover holds a lamp and a collection of unusual items including a photograph of buildings in Puerto Rico.
A friend gave Francisco the photograph above because it reminded him of Francisco and his best friend as young boys. An actual photo of the pair (not pictured) hangs in the bedroom.
Paco, a very well-behaved rescue dog, is part Chihuahua mixed with Pinscher. He seems devoted to Francisco, following his every move.
The bed is cleverly set away from the wall and angled so Francisco's home workstation, below, can be out of sight.
Notice the gold twigs painted behind the glass clock and the display of wine bottles on the fridge.
I have always been fascinated by how resourceful people can produce amazing creations in very small kitchens. Wait till you see what Francisco creates in his!
When Francisco was working at W.U., it was a tradition to celebrate staff birthdays, and his boss asked if he would make cakes for these celebrations. Using Martha Stewart cookbooks and Sylvia Weinstock's Sensational Cakes as guides, he taught himself how to become a master cake baker, using an apartment-sized oven and hardly any counter space, see above.
Photo courtesy of Francisco Sajurjo
He made a stunning four-tier wedding cake for a dear friend's wedding. Even getting the gorgeous creation down three flights of stairs presented its own set of challenges.
photo courtesy of Francisco Sajurjo
He also sent this photo of a beautiful 1st birthday cake made for another friend's child. He seems to take all of this as well as his sense of style in stride—none of it seems to be an overwhelming production for Francisco.
If you would like to contact Francisco, here is his email: [email protected]
It is so fascinating to me and I hope to you to see what's inside the gorgeous houses in the CWE. My gratitude to Francisco for letting me share his home with readers of this blog. Thanks also to the Central West End Association for making the introduction via the 2013 House Tour.