Wood Refinishing in University City
Tudor and Colonial Revival homes from the 1910s through 1930s — casement window surrounds, built-in bookcases flanking fireplaces, and staircases with heavy newel posts. Sue Wheeler has worked extensively in University City throughout her career.
University City was developed rapidly in the 1910s through 1930s — the same period when the Tudor Revival and Colonial Revival styles were at their peak in St. Louis's inner-ring suburbs. The result is a neighborhood with some of the most architecturally coherent housing in the county: consistent lot sizes, front-loaded garages that came later, and interiors with original millwork that runs deep.
Tudor Revivals in U-City have casement windows with thick wood surrounds, built-in bookcases flanking fireplaces, and staircases with heavy newel posts and substantial railings. Colonial Revivals have paneled wainscoting, wide-plank flooring, and detailed door surrounds. Both styles relied on high-quality interior wood as a defining feature of the home.
Sue Wheeler has worked extensively in University City throughout her career.
What We Do Most Often in University City
University City projects often involve staircases and built-ins — the signature elements of the Tudor and Colonial Revival homes that define much of the neighborhood.
Staircase refinishing
Tudor and Colonial Revival staircases in U-City homes tend toward the substantial: heavy newel posts, continuous railings, and spindles that range from simple to turned and carved. We do the full scope — treads, risers, spindles, newel post, and railing — stripped and refinished together.
Built-ins and millwork
Fireplace surrounds flanked by built-in bookcases, paneled wainscoting in entry halls, window seats with storage — these are defining features of U-City's best homes and they're irreplaceable. We restore them by hand.
Door refinishing
Both the heavy exterior doors typical of Tudor architecture and the panel interior doors throughout these homes are frequently original and worth preserving.
Historic Status
Parts of University City have local historic district designation, and some structures are contributing resources to the National Register. If your home is in a designated area, qualifying rehabilitation work may be eligible for historic tax credits. Confirm with the Missouri SHPO.
EPA note: U-City's pre-1978 homes — the majority of the housing stock — may have lead paint in their finish layers. EPA RRP regulations require a Certified Lead Removal for work that disturbs lead paint. Sue Wheeler is EPA Certified and follows proper containment procedures on every applicable project.
From a University City Client
"We have a 1928 Tudor and the staircase had been painted — every spindle, the railing, the newel post. Sue stripped it all by hand and refinished it in a tone that matched the floors. It completely changed the character of the entry hall."
— Homeowner, University City
Get a Free Estimate for Your University City Home
Sue Wheeler answers every call personally: (314) 367-6054
She'll look at your staircase, your built-ins, your millwork — and tell you what they need and what it will cost.
Request a Free Estimate →EPA Certified Lead Removal. Est. 1989. St. Louis Magazine — "Perfect Finish."
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