Christmas House Walk 2018

Merry Christmas 2018!

It is that time again, the Geneva, Illinois Christmas House Tour. And this year is my favorite; extraordinary clients turned friends, together we created nearly the entire interior, exterior & landscape. So when it came time for Christmas decor, it was a breeze. 

There are scads of photo's, I will try to keep commentary low. 

New exterior copper lanterns with just painted shutters in a new Farrow & Ball color, in high gloss,
PAEAN BLACK. a rich, deep plum/black.....over the moon!

Deep plum velvet flowers, (YES, real velvet works great outdoors!) dyed eucalyptus and candle holders for votives, festive when entertaining.
People come from across the country as the whole town celebrates Christmas, and 5 homes are decorated. Lines often stretched into 1.5 hours, in severe cold, thank you brave souls

Come on in! The foyer

The wide entry leads to the Living Room on one side and the Wine Room to the right



The mantle by my design assistant, Gerrit Husar. The asymmetric, and undulating form, elicited swoons

"My" stag head was a stark white resin, oh but the form is so striking. I painted the horns a Black Matte, added copper gild to the head, a few more aging techniques and it becomes a piece of art. Cannot wait to try it in aged silver and gold

If you look close you will notice an unusual table; a Willy Guhl, handkerchief planter turned coffee table. The tree sits between the living and family room. Being two separate color schemes, each side of the tree is different reflecting the room it faces

From Living Room side......take a peek into the Family Room, see the newly installed chandelier by Kelly Wearstler, it really makes the room

The wine room. As the homeowner and I contemplated the little used dining room, we thought long and hard for a re-use. Suddenly, a wine room was decided upon and off we went!

Wall buckets as wine holders

Window Treatment; Handmade Japanese "wallpaper"

Chair: black leather strapping, from Spain

Side table; Chopping block, from England

Wine cabinet barrel, Belgium

Chandelier; Vintage eel cage turned chandelier, Marseille, France

Clock arms: Paris

Wall panel; England

Golden light strands, bunched up in balls, stuck in the tree

Wide gold Sinamay ribbon wound at the base, light weight & sparkly

Heading into the Kitchen/Great room

Vintage pastry cutter hearts from a Paris bakery. 7 hearts for 7 grandchildren 

with more to come.....I'm on the hunt!

Family Room

Don't you love the color palette of gray and caramel?



The kitchen.

Fab coffee bar

Every goodie here is from the famous ALL CHOCOLATE KITCHEN in Geneva. Chef/owner Alain Roby is shown here on the cover of his cookbook, 'American Classics'. Even every truffle is hand made

Master

Love that chandelier, dreamy!

Pink Mercury balls
Pink Brocade and Purple velvet ribbon streams
Firecracker lights;  the smalls are battery operated, the large are plug-ins

 

Let's go to the lower level!

 

The wife is of Italian heritage which is reflected in this fab entertainment area I covet.

A full second kitchen

 This display is an authentic Italian Christmas display. Owner, Esther of ALL CHOCOLATE KITCHEN is from Rome. Growing up the table would be laden with fruit and nuts, much being what the children gathered.

 A massive pizza oven, accommodating up to 7 pizza's at once

 Needing a place to devour all that pizza, this 14' table accommodates their large family

 TA DA!!!!  A handmade sugar spun nativity scene, set with teeny rice lights. see the animals? Chef of ALL CHOCOLATE KITCHEN made this sculpture for his wife Esther. It should last forever

Our pizza tree! A garland of pom poms in Italian colors, has red string lites wrapped around them....EASY install.

Dangly tomatoes and cheese ornaments

We are not finished down here yet.....introducing the media room!

Being a lighting freak, the back wall is a fav lighting feature. Separating an 'A' frame bottle drying rack from France, my husband helped turn this idea into reality. Touching the wall at the bottom, they lean forward, allowing room for a light system inside the bottom, the effect is cool!!

 Off the lower level we created an outdoor entertainment area, did I say this is a killer party house!!!

 Looking out my windows at home I want to see winter scapes, go for it!

 Guests headed out the side doors......I have to say as I was leaving I was a touch sad to be finished. The people in this home emanate such warmth and love, what a joy!!

 Have a barren area, that is prominent? Insert sticks; red, yellow, natural, instant life

 As always my 1935 Ford pickup makes it's arrival in winter finery

 

This home is a team effort of many many hands

Thank you to my team, and Leslie,  you are all THE VERY BEST!

Enjoy the photography? I sincerely thank the talented NANCY VILLWOCK PHOTOGRAPHY, 
Nancy is a professional whose speciality is dogs and cats. She said she enjoyed a subject that did not move!
Take a look at her site, gorgeous work

My personal friends and massively talented Alain and Esther of ALL CHOCOLATE KITCHEN. This famous couple can do anything, take a peek at their site

The gorgeous exterior lighting is donated each year by PLANDSCAPE, a great group!

To ART, the handyman/carpenter/painter/everything with a smile!

Carmi and Ed, always

To all a very Merry Christmas!
with love,
Debra