Aaron Cummings and Will Andrews speak Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, about their rehabbed St. Louis home where they entertain and gain inspiration, in the Benton Park West neighborhood.
The Benton Park West duplex of Will Andrews and Aaron Cummings is a perfect reflection of their personalities, and decorating it together has been a way for the couple to meld their styles and passions into one cohesive space. They purchased the unit three years ago after living in separate rentals. The brick building was built in 1908 but underwent a full gut rehab about 15 years ago.
“I liked the light coming in and that it felt open. We love the tall ceilings,†says Andrews. “Being a first-time home buyer, it’s exciting to do what we want.’â€
The rehab retained some of the building’s historic charm, such as its classic red brick façade and original front door and transom window, while offering an updated blank canvas upon which Andrews and Cummings could create their new, shared home. ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ were inspired by the sets of TV shows of their youth including “The Cosby Show†and “A Different World,†which Andrews says, “showed Black excellence.â€
Cummings adds: “A lot of the shows back then had this beautiful art in the background. Being fans of art and color, we wanted to know how that could represent both of us.â€
The open living and dining room is punctuated with jewel-toned furnishings, patterned accessories and vibrant art works. A gold velvet sectional sofa from Albany Park (a Black owned furniture retailer) sits at an angle upon an emerald green and tiger patterned rug. Hanging behind the sofa on a black accent wall is a large patterned tapestry the couple purchased at the St. Louis African Arts Festival in Forest Park.
“I love to sit in that space and enjoy all the colors and art,†says Cummings. “We have touches of so many different cultures in here.â€
In the dining room, green velvet chairs surround a cherry wood table from World Market. Andrews sanded and repainted the table legs black, leaving the cherry top for a more custom look. It sits next to an elegant buffet that Cummings, a professional chef, found on Facebook Marketplace and painted cobalt blue as a nod to his culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu.
Having moved from a small apartment, Cummings appreciates the unit’s modern and well-designed kitchen with its two-level island, ample cabinet space and open shelving for displaying favorite dishes and barware.
“I have room to be free and cook and move about,†he says. “As a chef, it’s great to have space to practice my food and be inspired by the beautiful art around me.â€
The carefully curated artwork on display throughout the home represents different aspects of Andrews’ and Cummings’ lives.
“A lot of our inspiration is around Black art, local St. Louis pieces and items we find in our travels,†Andrews says.
A trio of vibrant paintings in bright red frames by artist Amy Sherald (known for her official portrait of Michelle Obama) hangs above an Ikea console in the dining room.
“Music brings people together. You sit around a table and listen to music and drink wine, and that’s very important,†says Cummings. “We wanted to create a space where we feel comfortable drinking wine together and inviting friends over and they have a sense of who we are just by walking into the room.â€
Photos: At Home with Will Andrews and Aaron Cummings in St. Louis
The living room is punctuated with jewel-toned furnishings and boldly patterned accessories. The gold velvet sectional sofa is from Albany Park. The couple found the patterned tapestry at the St. Louis African Arts Festival in Forest Park.
The modern kitchen was updated a second time just a couple years ago after a fire. Cummings, a professional chef, appreciates the ample workspace and light.
In the dining room, an antique clock belonging to Andrews’ grandmother hangs above the cherry wood table. Cummings found the side buffet on Facebook Marketplace and painted it cobalt blue. It serves as a display for beloved treasures such as a bar set by designer Sheila Bridges for Williams Sonoma.