Garden Apartment Makeover

The Repertory Theatre owns a twenty unit apartment complex, previously owned by Webster University, that houses our actors, designers and directors when they come to St. Louis. Thanks to our incredible BVB board members, the amazing Christy Marshall, editor of AT HOME magazine, and some very creative and resourceful designers, we have been able to transform these apartments into something lovely and livable.

The transformation began three years ago when the BVB board had a very successful fundraiser and chose to put that money towards renovating some of the apartments that were very worn and tired. There was a plethora of pink lamps, mismatched furniture and artwork that was crying to be taken off the wall and pitched. Don’t get me started on the comforters….That summer began a process of redecoration with themes - shopping at discount stores, repainting with color, acquiring new carpet, artwork and some new furniture. I used the best of what we had and found a home for the rest. I will admit to using a sledgehammer to some pieces of furniture with the help of Laura Wandersee, our administrative assistant and Wade Duffy, one of our actors. It was cheaper than finding a hauler, and more fun!  I don’t consider myself a designer (and this summer proves that), however I did have fun working the themes. My friend, Todd Schaefer painted a Peter Max design on the wall in the 1960s apartment and designer Bill Clark painted a Gustav Klimt design in the Klimt apartment while he was here for one of our shows. The women of development got involved painting some apartments that first summer. It was exhausting yet exhilarating at the same time as we knew we were making a difference in these actor’s lives. (Fun fact: Some of the actors, designers and directors are at The Rep and living in the apartments for as much as two months!)

This past summer AT HOME magazine got on board and we fully renovated five of the apartments with new kitchens and bathrooms. Five design teams along with Christy Marshall were able to get furniture, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, tile, carpet, and furnishings donated (yeah!) and these five apartments are absolutely incredible!  Each one with a different look and feel to it.  The actors are thrilled! So am I.  Not only that, we’re working on landscaping the yard so it will truly have a ‘garden’ feel (and live up to their name as “the Garden Apartments”). Ken Repp, our apartment manager is going to manage that transition.  Nicole Angeli, a previous apartment manager and I started the process three summers ago with border brick, boxwoods and a plant bed—and now we’re expanding on that.

Could be the talk of Webster Groves. Who knows!

Deborah Sharn
Company Manager

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