St. louis sophisticate(10)

While Joan describes her style as “classic, understated elegance,” she’s quick to praise its practical side. “Not only does it never go out of style, it makes a home very comfortable.” That’s important when you have seven children and 13 grandkids, including a pair of 1-year-old twin boys. “Our large family was really why we bought the house,” she explains. “Before we could get inside, we peeked in the dining room, and I saw that it was big enough for a table that could seat all of us. I was sold.”

Bill, a former all-pro linebacker for the St. Louis Cardinals, is just as content, if not more so. “Every time we go away, he asks why we left, since it’s so comfortable here,” shares Joan. “And I agree. Each time we return home, it’s a joy.”