IT’S A HOLLY JOLLY HOLIDAY TOUR
See stunning homes decked out in their Christmas best by talented designers and florists
While it doesn’t have quite the same ring, it will be the West Pole — as in Westmount — and not the North Pole that will appeal to those looking forward to a holly jolly home tour.
As Homes for the Holidays rolls out its 13th annual edition this weekend, five homes are now decked out in their Christmas best, and Junior League of Edmonton organizers say their 2018 fundraiser is something you need to put on your Christmas mustsee list.
“This year’s event is not to be missed,” said Homes for the Holidays co-chair Jessica Gallant. “We have partnered with some of the most talented designers and florists in Edmonton, where their creativity will be on display in five beautiful homes in the Westmount neighbourhood. The wide array of homes that will be showcased this year — from 100-yearold homes to a brand new infill — will lend beautifully to the holiday decor.”
These homes, adds Gallant, will bring Christmas magic and inspiration to life.
“Each designer carefully selects the decor for each home with a distinct theme in mind fitting the character of the home,” said Gallant.
“The designs and greenery often showcase common pieces being used in unique ways, providing tour goers with inspiration and fresh ideas when thinking of their own decor. After completing the tour, you will no doubt want to run home and decorate your own home for the holidays!”
So with five houses, where does one start?
It’s a self-guided tour, so it’s a win, no matter which home you choose.
You can just mingle all the way through to see either an Art Deco interpretation, a modern opulent Christmas, get the feeling of a Scandinavian-inspired holiday, envision a Victorian Christmas brought to life, or be transported to the Sweet Dreams of the holiday season.
We did, however, speak to two of the Homes for the Holidays designers to give you some insight into how these houses inspired them.
A DICKENS-STYLE CHRISTMAS
Built in 1913, with a late-1990s addition that gave this Edwardian era home more of a Victorian feel, this two-storey home will take you back in time.
“The home is filled with beautiful woodwork and antiques so we decided to keep in character of the home and do the theme of ‘Vintage Victorian’ so it would tie in seamlessly into the esthetic of the home,” said interior decorator Taylor Wise, owner of Wise Home + Design. She’s working with Two Buds Floral Artistry to bring her design to life.
“We want to create the sense that you’re stepping into the pages of a Dickens novel,” said Wise. “A Christmas Carol actually came out during the Victorian era, so it keeps in tune with that.”
Rich hues, jewel tones, as well as crimson, violet and gold will greet visitors to the house, complemented with an infusion of natural elements, including greenery, fruits, nuts and twigs.
Wise will also incorporate heavier textures, velvets, and intricate patterns, as well as some lace, to create a sense of regal ambience and ornateness.
“This is my second year (in a row) of decorating with Homes for the Holidays, and I sought out to volunteer for this,” said Wise. “It’s a great way to use my skill set to give back to the community and give some Christmas inspiration to everyone who comes out for the event.”
GLOBAL INFLUENCES
Call this one a Christmas getaway, one where you don’t need a sleigh or plane tickets to arrive at your destination.
Interior designers Lorri McCrackin and Angela Marchese, owners of Luxe Design, have come up with a different interpretation for the holiday season: Nordic/ Scandinavian/Hygge.
“We feel these styles have been quite popular over the last year and wanted to show people ways to incorporate it into their Christmas and seasonal decor,” said McCrackin and Marchese.
“We also want to emphasize the Hygge, which means to create wellbeing, connection and warmth, or to create a cosy atmosphere. Although our theme can be defined as minimalist, there are still many ways to make it feel inviting and cosy.”
This home doesn’t have typical Christmas colours such as reds, greens and blues. It’s more black and white, with the use of natural elements. Fresh Christmas greenery to warm it up comes from Studio Bloom.
“The use of black and white, and naturals, will be really bold and striking,” said McCrackin and Marchese.
“We want to really highlight the Hygge style by creating a warm and inviting feel through our use of decor and treats!
“We’ve also made sure to include a pet Christmas corner, giving our furry friends and their loving owners some ideas to incorporate them into the season.”
CHRISTMAS CONNECTION
For the Junior League, November can be the most wonderful time of the year.
Funds raised through Homes for the Holidays, the League’s largest fundraiser, allows them to continue to make an impact in the community, focusing on girls’ mental health and self-esteem. Further, a portion of the proceeds goes to support other Junior League projects.
In the past, funds have gone to Kids Help Phone, Youth Emergency Shelter, WIN House, Santa’s Anonymous and WINGS of Providence.
Officials note that for many, Homes for the Holidays has become an annual tradition, with more than 86 per cent of tour participants returning the following year.
HOMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The 2018 edition of Homes for the Holidays is now underway and continues through this weekend, with proceeds going to the Junior League of Edmonton as they focus on girls’ self-esteem, and mental health and services support.
What It Is: A Junior League of Edmonton fundraiser that brings together local interior designers and florists to decorate five homes, each presented in holiday splendour.
Tour Times: Saturday, Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tour Sites: The tour includes five homes in Westmount.
Tickets: $45 from Home Central or online. (Home Central, the Westmount Community Hall at 10970 127 Street NW, is where the tour begins and where you pick up your map and ticket.) Designers Taking Part Include: Darcy Designs, Luxe Design, Mojo Design Home Stylists, The DIY Mommy, and Wise Home + Design. Florists Taking Part Include: Cerise Floral Studio, Fleurs Flowers, Hypnotic Bloom, Studio Bloom and Two Buds Floral Artistry. Need To Know: This is a self-guided tour and you can expect to take between an hour and 90 minutes to complete it, depending on how long you spend in each home.
No photos are allowed in the tour homes and you can only view each home once — your ticket will be stamped each time you enter a home.
But you can take the tour over more than one day if you need more time to see all the homes. For more information, including buying tickets, visit homesfortheholidays.com.