Four homes plus several bonus sites will be opening their doors to guests during the annual Christmas Candlelight Home Tour this Friday.
The tour will allow guests to kick off the Christmas season and get inspired by the creative and festive decorations, according to organizer Anna Baker. The homes on display represent a wide range of styles that range from downtown lofts to historic 1800s cabins, and they will all be decorated in their Christmas best, Baker said.
"This year our houses are really unique," Baker said.
Several of the homes were built in the early 1900s and were recently restored. Others are newer and showcase beautiful art work. Refreshments will be served in the cabin on the VanDyck property, where the bake sale will also take place.
Baker said the tour makes a perfect date night or girls night and is a great way to start the Christmas season off right.
Mothering Matters, which was founded in the early 1990s, focuses on supporting mothers and encouraging them for their calling of being a mom, Baker said. The organization helps moms create relationships with other women who are in the same stage of life, and connect with mentors who have already been there.
The organization's approximately 100 members meet twice a month from September through May. One of the features of the organization is that childcare is provided so that mothers have time to grow in their relationships with each other, Baker said. The money raised during the Christmas Candlelight Tour helps cover the costs of the childcare, she said.
Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door of any home the night of the tour. They can be purchased in advance at Cafe on Broadway, Honeysuckle, Occasions, Sassafras, BLU Foundry, Two Gals' Junk and Cari's Closet. The following properties will be on display for the tour:
VanDyck Home
Dr. Larry and Gina VanDyck's home, located at 299 Serenity Dr., in West Siloam Springs, Okla., is an 1800s Antebellum saltbox style home, built in 1976. The architects and builders, Mike and Rosalina Smith, salvaged floors, doors and staircases from an 1820s home in Maysville and they used bricks from the original Siloam Springs Ice House on the north end of the house. Rosalinda's stenciling and murals can be found throughout the house, as well as the VanDyck's colonial and vintage furnishings and decor.
The two 1800s cabins on the property will also be open for tours. Refreshments will be served and the annual bake sale will be held at the cabin relocated from the Butterfield Stagecoach trail near Strickler, Ark. The other cabin was originally built near War Eagle and is now a quaint guest cabin complete with rope string beds upstairs.
Varnadoe Home
Todd and Adrienne Varnadoe's colonial style home, located at 507 N. Wright St., was built in 1907, and was majorly renovated beginning in 2015. The Varnadoe's have worked carefully in the design process to compliment and preserve the original features while adding modern conveniences.
The home, which has a casual farmhouse style, is full of character and charm. It features a reclaimed and expanded attic space, with wall planks that were sourced from the original flooring.
Lewis Home
Bryan and Cari Lewis' loft, located at 205 B. East Main St., has a unique industrial and modern design. The loft was built in 1910 and was recently remodeled by the Lewises, who did most of the work themselves. Cari has decorated using as many repurposed items as possible, including many funky Christmas decorations, while giving the space an urban feel that reflects downtown Siloam Springs. Photos of the loft before, during and after the remodel will be on display.
As a bonus, Gary and Dena Dickinson's Broadway and Main Guest Apartment will be on display across the hall. The apartment was recently renovated and listed on Airbnb. It features original wood floors, restored wood lath board walls in the main bedroom and views of downtown and Twin Springs Park.
Wubbena Home
Kurt Wubbena is both the owner and designer of this beautiful American/English Georgian home, located at 1005 W. Jefferson St. The home was built in 2011-2012 by Marietta Construction LLC. Wubbena has decorated the home in a traditional American/English style, with items collected from his travels, and many beautiful antiques and curiosities, including silk carpets and original artwork by George Washington Nicholson, John J. Audubon and H.W. Robbins.
General News on 11/30/2016