A Christmas Tour of Homes NOT To Be Missed: Stanislaus
UPDATE: More pictures added! Check it out:
Stanislaus: a neighborhood that was born from the ashes of one of Macon’s colleges. St. Stanislaus College, originally named Pio Nono College for Pope Pius IX, was five stories high and the cornerstone was laid in the year 1874. According to Historic Macon’s website: ” In keeping with the country house tradition of the previous owner of the property, the college was constructed in the tradition of English Victorian Country houses with a formal tree-lined entry drive, terminating at a circular turnaround centered on a large statue. The symmetrical facade was flanked by matching grand staircases on each wing, with many long porches accenting the exterior and capturing hilltop breezes. The building is probably best identified as Collegiate Victorian style, although there are some features from other traditions such as the Stick-style cupola in the center. ” (http://www.historicmacon.org/hh-archives/#stanislaus)
The college would burn down in 1921, but what would become ones of the most fabulous neighborhoods in Macon would be reconstructed from the ruins- and you can have the chance to tour not only the neighborhood but some of these beautiful homes. The Stanislaus Christmas Tour of homes takes place this weekend December 5th, 6th and 7th from 6 until 9 pm, and you can click this link for ticket information. I had the chance to speak with a few of these home owners about their homes and how they are decorated for the holiday season.
Andrea Crawford is an interior decorator herself, so I think it’s appropriate to start with her. As a mother and a budget conscious decorator myself, I am always curious about not just the history of these homes (let’s recall from previous posts that I am a history major and a Historic Macon patron- go here if you wish to be a patron as well) but also how someone like ME could also decorate just as fabulously. Andrea tells me first about her own personal style:
I am a traditionalist at heart! I love antiques and family heirlooms, but I always throw in a subtle contemporary twist to keep things fun and fresh.
I really can’t say that I have a theme. Being an interior designer I have a true love & appreciation for so many different styles. I’d have to say that my personal style is pretty eclectic because I truly do like a little bit of everything. I do have quite a few of Christopher Radko’s blown glass ornaments that I’ve been collecting for years. I love them because they have a vintage inspired style… their whimsical colors are the perfect anchor for my tree, yet they are so delicate and elegant!
I mix in a few of the more expensive blown glass ornaments and fill in with less expensive glass balls. Use fresh greenery… It makes a huge visual impact, smells lovely, and best of all it’s free! Cut from your yard, borrow from your neighbors yard, drive around town and look for pine & berries on the roadside… Make it an adventure!
We just moved into our newly renovated home and we love it! We can’t wait to share time over the holidays in our new home with our family and friends… It’s been a long time coming!
For those of you who know Davey and Peggy Keys you know they are a delightful couple, I truly love running in to them whenever I see them out and about. Peggy told me that their home is decorated in an eclectic style:
We have mixed antiques with flea market finds. It is always a treasure hunt when we travel. Our home is designed to make all people feel welcome and enjoy conversation. Our small porch is affectionately named The Side Porch Lounge. We have so many neighbors stop by to sit and have a libation that now we need to expand the porch.
Christmas is such a special time for all of us. We are thankful that Christ was born to save us. We have four children and five grandchildren. Christmas morning is the most fun with everyone at home waiting in the den just to open their stockings. Brunch is always served while waiting for everyone to arrive.
Dr. Seth Bush is a local pediatrician, he and wife Jeana have two sons- and he tells us about his home and how their children assist in the decoration of it:
Our house was built in 1926. It is a two story English Tudor house. We have two kids 5 and 10 and we let them decorate the Christmas tree which means a predominance of the ornaments are 4 feet high or less. We don’t do a lot of decorating for Christmas as we like to keep it simple. We get a Lynn Hooven Christmas tree and wreath from North Carolina and of course stockings are a must as are two nativities – one that was my wife’s Grandmother’s and one that my oldest son made in pottery class.
Our Christmas tour is really neat as our neighborhood is a circle which makes for a great walking tour. The trees have Christmas lights on them, the street lampposts have red bows and luminaries light up the sidewalks and lead to the houses on tour. We will have kids caroling through the neighborhood, two cookie and wassail stations and a Secret Santa shop housed by vendors selling their Christmas wares.
Ginger Collins-Gozur and her husband Ken Gozur are newcomers to the area but they have quickly embraced their magnificent home and added their own personal touches:
