Christmas Walk House Tour 2016

Everyone ready for the holidays?
 I'm not even close, still thinking about gifts and what to cook, this here is one of the reasons......

If you have followed us for any length of time, you will know that each year we decorate a home for the Geneva Illinois Christmas Walk. I personally met people that came in from Connecticut, Montana & Vermont
Word on the street is almost 6,000 people visited the 5 decorated homes!

Grab a drink or two and put up your feet.........this is a long one.....and it took a village

An early 1900, four story mansion with a two story coach house....plus....the exterior.

During the day, yellow twig Dogwood and orange Curly willow. The center is filled with lights for an evening glow of fire.

Boxwood, silver fir, plum colored Eucalyptus with a repeat of Curly Willow tops and faux Tallow berries

Welcome! The home of Janet and Gerard Keating 

Let's walk the route of the tour, starting with the

  Living Room

The tree.....hard to see but believe me when I say this is an ombre flocked tree, decked with white lights, large and medium, gold mercury glass ornaments. Ok, our first flocking try did not yield the strong ombre color-ways in our minds, but Leslie and I had serious Lucy & Ethel moments creating it......the laughs will last a lifetime

The Sun Porch

White feather tree with a base of cotton batting over pink light strands, all covered in tulle,
it positively glowed

Let's go into the Dining Room

My friend, and wildly talented photographer, Nancy Villwock, took the vast majority of the photo's. In defense of Nancy, I must say that the amateur inserts are from me!

Spode China, Sinimay ribbon

Sugar Candy Cane handcrafted by Chef Roby of The All Chocolate Kitchen

Into the Butlers pantry

To the Kitchen

The island is festooned with the edible art of chef Alain Roby, of All Chocolate Kitchen. Another treasured friend, yep, I am really lucky. Chef is nationally known and fortunately in Geneva

Light emanates from the interior highlighting the diagonally scored, sugar glass windows. This masterpiece was auctioned off with the proceeds going to the Roby's charity this year, Oncology research for Children

His truffles........almost too beautiful to eat. (they ship!) If you are local, this is a must for all things desert but if you did not know, Chef is from France, his wife Esther from Rome, and together they have added my new favorite restaurant, Primo.....take a peek

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My pig trough, all faux. The black resin pig was waxed and aged with Amy Howard product to  create the look of aged iron

An AGA stove with original artwork by our resident artist extraordinaire, Stephanie. Her acrylic painting is on Melamine board. Once sealed, it wipes easily. Imagine a custom piece of art behind your stove, here's mine;

Sorry, I digress......but she is good, right?

                                                                 Onto the Library

WHOA! In person this tree was cool! Red flocked tree amassed with red string lights, nothing else. The gifts are a red paper wrap with leopard ribbon

Let's go up!

The second floor landing was decorated by our friends at the Paper Merchant in Geneva. Lovely people, fun & original shop. (remember, shop small!)

The Master Bedroom. Fresh doors lead to a lush Master Bath and dressing room

Silver fir tree with only blue lights. Have to say I really loved this tree

Now, the Daughters Bedroom

Visions of massive puff balls dangled from the windows

Children Bath

Ready? Another flight of stairs to The Ballroom

I am realizing our theme, Rat Pack 60's Christmas, does not translate ideally to photo's, better experienced in person, but let's try, without the music

As you ascend, you are greeted with Frank Sinatra Christmas tunes and a tinsel tree with vintage ornaments and old fashioned bubble string lights

Perfect party room!

Ready for a round of poker?

Martini anyone? Bingo?

Leslie made the candy trees, a 60's staple, I think she had fun as memories flooded in

There was a touch of naughty....this was a party!

                    OK, now let's head down to the Ground Level. (I should be skinny after this...not)

LOVE, notice the brick floors and darling space. Opposite this room is a large media room.
Popcorn anyone?

Stacks of birch poles encased a massing of battery pillar candles. Were you aware that they now have remote controls? Tapers? Moving flame, votive styled, night lights? Stop in the shop!

Keep up as we head to the Coach House

Come in! On the main level, Gerards Office, a wet bar, conference table and bath

Everyone's favorite, the upper floor

The tree was filled with gold string lights, feathers, glass pinecones and nests

Heading out, my truck, always present. If you were there on Saturday, lucky you as you were treated to popcorn samples by Kernels Popcorn

Thank you for visiting!

Our Village........please visit these talents

Nancy Villwock Photography

All Chocolate Kitchen

The Paper Merchant

 Kernels Gourmet Popcorn & More

Plandscape Exterior Lighting

Geneva Illinois Chamber, Christmas Walk

Interior Decoration by Jill Davis Interior Decoration

202.297.6011

and us....SG Geneva/Scentimental Gardens

Leslie, Carrie, Jayme, Maddie, Emma, Kathleen, Kim

 Reese :-)

lastly, the generosity of the Keating Family

Oh wait, one more bit......Santa could make this home yours

Sotheby's Real Estate

With love & warm holiday wishes,

Debra