The Lafayette Square Holiday Tour- Creative Ideas Abound!

If you’re still trying to come up with some creative, horticultural decorating ideas for the holidays and all winter long, pull up a chair, grab a hot chocolate (don’t forget the marshmallows!) and come along on a virtual tour.

My good friend and greenhouse gardening buddy Mark Kalk, built a lovely new home in Lafayette Square with his partner, also named Mark. And, no, the name thing isn’t confusing at all. They moved in earlier this year and have been improving on a good thing ever since. The house is the “greenest” house you’ve ever seen, but not “Kermit the Frog” green. A geothermal heating and cooling system, radiant flooring, and efficient placement and balance of windows are just a few of the bells and whistles in this house. Mark has a stunning conservatory that was modeled after the Linnaean House at Missouri Botanical Garden. Mark and I took the Master Gardener classes at MoBot and got our certification in 2009. When Mark told me that his house was going to be on the holiday tour this year, I jumped at the chance to go. I realized that the tour wouldn’t be any fun without George-luckily he was free.

We visited Mark and Mark’s house first. If you haven’t been to Lafayette Square in a while, you should go, especially now. Even houses that weren’t on tour are decorated to the nines. Full size Nutcrackers flank many doors, pine roping, wreaths, swags and lights fill the passer-by with winter spirit. Mark’s house didn’t disappoint. The first decorating idea is a real winner!

Decorating idea #1- Terrariums.

Mark has numerous collections of lovely glass jars and miniature greenhouses. They’re filled with plants, moss, stone, quartz and little reptiles and adorn many tables. They are a decoration that can be changed with the seasons.  Miniature houseplants, Cyclamen, ferns and moss are festive now, and well into spring. By simply tying red bows to the terrarium handles, you evoke a Christmas feel. Change those bows to chartreuse or pink and you’re ready for spring. How easy was that! Mark finds his treasures at some of my favorite stores: Home Goods, TJ Maxx and World Market. Numerous Poinsettias decorated the home, especially in the Conservatory. Because the house is so efficient, very little heat is needed to keep the brick Conservatory at a comfortable temperature. It was a little cold the morning of the tour, but that didn’t stop tour visitors from viewing the pond in the side yard. Little icicles formed on the large stone as water tumbled into the pond. We said our goodbyes, jotted down inventive decorating ideas and made our way to the next spot on tour.

The next home had simple, handmade decorations on the live Frasier fir. Real popcorn garland ringed the tree and ornaments were decidedly casual and quaint.  Under the tree were two antique-looking metal toys. One was a child’s racecar and the other a sturdy red scooter. I kind of felt like I was visiting the set of “A Christmas Story.” Why not bring some vintage or antique toys to decorate the tree before Santa arrives?

Decorating idea #2-Gather some of your old, cherished toys to place under the tree.

It only takes a few items to create a sense of nostalgia and warmth at the holidays.

The next home we visited was unlike any other home on the tour. Upon entering the house with the chartreuse living room, we were told by the host  “You are arriving at the best home on the tour today!” That sure was a tall order. I will admit that it was by far the most unusual home. The first item of interest was a silver Christmas tree. Not just any silver Christmas tree, mind you. This one was adorned with glittered, curly sticks, turquoise, green and silver glass ornaments, and a clear tube in the middle of the tree. Inside this clear tube was something a kin to a lava lamp. I have never seen a Christmas tree like this one; it boasts a clear center pole that contains a green fluid bubbling up like a lava lamp. Yup...a Christmas tree and lava lamp all in one. Who knew? I’ve got to say that George really liked this tree and I can absolutely see it in his contemporary home. George is a fan of Decorating idea #3- a lava lamp tree! Rounding out the silver tree were garlands and baskets of glittered ferns, squiggly sticks and glass ornaments- they wowed us. They also covered nearly every surface. I suspect that by New Year's Eve glitter will be in each and every corner of that house. 

The next two decorating ideas are ones that we spotted on the street.  Many of the homes in Lafayette Square boast lovingly painted exterior trim colors. It’s not unusual to see 3 or 4 bold colors accenting doors, window and sash trim. When so much color vibrant adorns the homes, decorations really stand out.

Decorating idea #4- when the color of the home is bold, all that is needed for exterior decorations’ are some classically embellished wreaths and Alberta spruce in urns trimmed with red ribbons.

Another great decorating idea is as simple as trimming some evergreens. Decorating idea #5- placing evergreen and red twig dogwood boughs in containers. Just because it’s too cold to plant your containers, you can still deck them all out for the holidays by adding fresh greens. They will last long into the New Year, making you smile as you make your way to the front door!

The last home on the tour yielded the most decorating ideas of all. Every inch of the house was “fussed over” and it didn’t seem like too much. George liked that the homeowner didn’t use traditional Christmas colors. The prevailing colors were pale blue, gold, moss green and light burgundy. Decorating idea #6- use baskets of ornaments to decorate everything from the front hall to the bathroom!  A stunning tablescape glittered with iridescent gold touches and twinkling votive candles. Decorating idea #7- use greenery lavishly. In the tour home it surrounded the centerpiece, adorned a large mirror, lined the tops of kitchen cabinets and even found its way into the bathroom. Like I said, nothing went untouched!  The house had two trees; the one in the kitchen was totally devoted to Christopher Radko ornaments. And, yes, it was spectacular! Decorating idea #8- If you have the room, decorate one of the trees in a “theme.” You might not have hundreds of Radko ornaments, but you might have a large collection of brightly colored crystal bird ornaments. After spending as much time as we could dawdling  at the last home, it was time to leave. My last decorating idea is simple. Decorating idea #9- Make plans to visit the Lafayette Square Home Tour in 2012. Oh, and don’t forget to bring a good friend and your camera!