House of Lou

St. Louis Photographer Heidi Drexler Stehr's New Book

In 1980, 8-year-old Heidi Drexler Stehr [https://heidicreative.co/] began spending her summer vacations on Cape Cod—igniting a love for the New England coast that has followed her ever since. A traditional Cape Cod shingled home, built by her maternal grandparents, is the nucleus of her memories. And that house, as well as the life Heidi and her family experienced there, is the beating heart of a newly published, nearly 300-page coffee table book photographed by Heidi over the course of a year. Coastal Granddaughter [https://coastalgranddaughter.com/] tells the story of Cape Cod through the eyes of a Midwesterner in vivid, engaging images that take readers to the beach, to the fish stand, and to the middle of town. Veronica sits down with Heidi to talk about the making of Coastal Granddaughter—the Cape, the memories, and the eight-year-old girl who started it all. Watch the episode on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGkbLFLTZPyJz12erwKdMl6d] and listen on Apple Podcasts  [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/house-of-lou/id1715504359]or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3ovIC1dt19FiByFhMjlgIc]. See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/house-of-lou/episode-33 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGkbLFLTZPyJz12erwKdMl6d Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ovIC1dt19FiByFhMjlgIc?si=be8613d8b3e849c4&nd=1&dlsi=4b587e7b470048ee Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/house-of-lou/id1715504359 New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/ Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com.  Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertising@stlmag.com See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

St. Louis Experts on Decorating with Houseplants

In this episode of House of Lou, host Veronica Theodoro chats with Laura Dooley, owner of LoKey Designs [https://www.lokeydesigns.com/], and Nicole Walter, greenhouse buyer for Garden Heights Nursery [https://www.gardenheights.com/]. The topic of their conversation is decorating the home with plants and it all kicks-off with each woman sharing the story behind their current favorite houseplant and planter. Like all design elements, plants have the power to infuse a space with beauty, life, and wellness—and Veronica’s guests share their tips for achieving the best looks. From styling a room with a statement tree to choosing the right containers, Laura and Nicole reveal their go-to pro moves for incorporating texture, color, shape, and scale through plants. Whether you live surrounded by greenery or have just recently started to think of plants as complementary to other decor practices, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Watch the episode on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGkbLFLTZPyJz12erwKdMl6d] and listen on Apple Podcasts  [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/house-of-lou/id1715504359]or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3ovIC1dt19FiByFhMjlgIc].   See related stories and resources from this episode: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/house-of-lou/episode-32 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGkbLFLTZPyJz12erwKdMl6d Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ovIC1dt19FiByFhMjlgIc?si=be8613d8b3e849c4&nd=1&dlsi=4b587e7b470048ee Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/house-of-lou/id1715504359 This episode is sponsored by Saint Louis Science Center [http://slsc.org/]. There’s a lot of wonder in the little word: why. It’s how we uncover how things work and what things are. Why is endless. Why is ageless. And it’s for everyone to explore. At the Saint Louis Science Center, the wonder of why is the reason they exist. They bring it to life inside their building and throughout their community. Because why is where wonder begins and the Saint Louis Science Center brings it to life. Plan your visit. [http://slsc.org/] New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/ Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com.  Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertising@stlmag.com. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Inside the Architect & Designer Awards: Meagan Cooperman

At last month’s Architect & Designer Awards event, interior designer Meagan Cooperman took home the award for best Transitional Interior Design, a new category introduced this year to the magazine’s long-running design competition. That same night, Meagan was delighted to learn that her work had also made the April cover of St. Louis Magazine, marking a first for the local designer. In this episode of House of Lou, Veronica chats with Meagan about her career in interior design, the story behind her award-winning work, and Meagan’s plans to grow her one-year-old design firm. Hint: She’s just getting started and we can’t wait to see where she takes it See related stories and resources from this episode: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/house-of-lou/episode-31/ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGkbLFLTZPyJz12erwKdMl6d Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ovIC1dt19FiByFhMjlgIc?si=be8613d8b3e849c4&nd=1&dlsi=4b587e7b470048ee Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/house-of-lou/id1715504359 This episode is sponsored by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (https://opera-stl.org/) and supported by Cardinals Nation (https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/cardinals-nation). Celebrate the 2026 Festival Season, May 23 through June 27, featuring the hilarious comedy The Pirates of Penzance, the award-winning musical The Light in the Piazza, the sizzling drama A Streetcar Named Desire, and the romantic classic Romeo and Juliet. Experience world-class opera, enjoy garden picnics before the show, and join in unforgettable after-parties. Tickets start at just $25. New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/ Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com.  Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertising@stlmag.com. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Gardening for Fragrance in St. Louis ft. Derek McKay

In this episode of House of Lou, take a walk outside with garden expert Derek McKay—manager of Frisella Nursery and host of the gardening blog Derek Dino Garden Guy. Veronica and Derek delve into the world of fragrance in the garden, an aspect of garden design that is often, surprisingly, overlooked. Learn how and when to use fragrant flowers, plants, and trees to deploy maximum pleasure for the senses. Watch the episode on YouTube and listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/house-of-lou/episode-30/ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGkbLFLTZPyJz12erwKdMl6d Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ovIC1dt19FiByFhMjlgIc?si=be8613d8b3e849c4&nd=1&dlsi=4b587e7b470048ee Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/house-of-lou/id1715504359 This episode is sponsored by Pulitzer Arts Foundation (https://pulitzerarts.org/) and supported by the Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park (https://ebsworthpark.org/). This year, the Pulitzer celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special exhibition organized by its Founder and Board Chair, Emily Rauh Pulitzer. Dialogues & Conversations features work by more than 35 artists, with 85 sculptures, drawings, paintings, prints, and photographs spanning the late 19th century to today. The exhibition is open through August 9. New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/ [https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/] Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com.  Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertising@stlmag.com. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Retta Tussey’s Creative Journey in St. Louis

In this episode of House of Lou [https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/house-of-lou/], host Veronica Theodoro is joined by the multifaceted St. Louis designer Retta Tussey. Their conversation takes us on a years’-long journey through Retta’s career as an interior designer, to the launching of her fashion brand Retta Jane [https://rettajane.com/], and the opening—this fall—of a showroom and reading room in Clayton. We can’t wait to see what that project looks like! Throughout the years, Retta has weathered the ups and downs, twists and turns that we tend to associate with a creative career, and she shares the stories and lessons with us in her interview. Today, the St. Louis native finds herself at the intersection of fashion and interior design, as she balances designing a collection of clothes for tween girls and women, and an ever-growing list of clients who are thrilled with her return to the field of interior design. This melding of creative pursuits feels true to who Retta’s always been, and we can’t wait to see how far she takes it. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, and personal and professional growth. Watch the episode on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGkbLFLTZPyJz12erwKdMl6d] and listen on Apple Podcasts  [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/house-of-lou/id1715504359]or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3ovIC1dt19FiByFhMjlgIc]. This episode is sponsored by Royal Banks of Missouri [http://royalbanksofmo.com/] and supported by St. Louis Symphony Orchestra [http://slso.org/]. Dreaming of a spring home refresh? Turn your vision into reality with a Home Equity Line of Credit from Royal Banks of Missouri. Get more details [http://royalbanksofmo.com/] on how you could put your home’s value to work.  New to podcasts? Follow these instructions [https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/] to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing! Want more? Check out all of St. Louis Magazine’s podcasts [https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/]. Love House of Lou? Be sure to follow or subscribe on your favorite platform. And show your love with House of Lou merch [https://store.stlmag.com/search?q=house+of+lou&options%5Bprefix%5D=last]. Mentioned in this episode: * Retta Jane [https://rettajane.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorUwjG--2uXnM155hL0M_bgVJqFzvGh6wTq9r3XnVv6BsSuNkeq] * Architect & Designer Awards [https://www.stlmag.com/design/ada/] * Castle Design [https://emilycastle.com/] * Euro Trash [https://eurotrash.us/] * What is a Historic District Worth? [https://www.stlmag.com/design/what-is-a-historic-district-worth-kirkwood-confronts-the-limits-of-preservation/] * Papier Lys [https://papierlys.com/] * Goebel & Co. Furniture [https://www.goebelfurniture.com/new-page] * AUDRA [https://audraofficial.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoptMy1IhsID_S8p5nnjpgpyg2LTImTe1LIw4jpz0NSilMlncUgE] * Negroni [https://www.backdrophome.com/products/negroni-exterior-standard/] * Morpho Mania [https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/morpho-mania-3519] * Design Your Herb Garden [https://bowoodfarms.com/collections/the-studio] * Mahj at the Kitchen [https://kitchenconservatory.com/Search?Keywords=Mah+Jong] You may also enjoy: * Charming children’s clothing boutiques in the St. Louis metro area [https://www.stlmag.com/family/childrens-clothing-boutiques-st-louis/] * Local fashion designer launches her first collection of vintage-inspired clothes [https://www.stlmag.com/design/style/Local%20fashion%20designer%20launches%20her%20first%20collection%20of%20vintage-inspired%20clothes/] * 10 things to do this month for the design and home enthusiast [https://www.stlmag.com/design/10-things-to-do-this-month-for-the-design-enthusiast/] * More episodes of House of Lou [https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/house-of-lou/] * Shop House of Lou merch [https://store.stlmag.com/search?q=house+of+lou&options%5Bprefix%5D=last] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.