HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
Suzie and Dave Spence, the previous owners of this historic Ladue estate, open their doors for gatherings large and small.
WHERE FESTIVITY DWELLS
Couple sprinkles holiday spirit throughout their home.
FESTIVE TRADITIONS
Decorating, hosting and enjoying Christmas Year-Round.
It’s not about how many homes we build a year, it’s about ensuring each of our homes is constructed, inspected, and verified to the most rigorous standards in the country – DOE, Zero Energy Ready Homes.
There’s just no getting around it, the upcoming holidays bring loved ones together. Whether family and friends are gathering to enjoy a meal together, exchange gifts or participate in a timeworn family tradition, it’s a time to delight in the fellowship each member shares with their tribe. The homeowners we feature in this issue take great pleasure in decorating their homes for the holidays and start the planning process months ahead of time. From a peacock tree (pages 20-29) to holiday dishes (pages 30-35) to polar bears (pages 36-41), even memories of family members no longer with us can become a part of the holiday celebration!
Walk into any retail shop in the greater St. Louis area after Halloween and you’ll find them brimming with Christmas cheer. To see for yourself, join us at our annual Holiday Tabletop Tour Saturday, November 2 and become immersed in the holiday spirit. You’ll find tons of new gift ideas and decor items waiting to go home with you!
If that isn’t enough, join us at the Deck the Halls of Glennon Homes Holiday Tour on Saturday, December 7. Four homes are beautifully decked out and oozing with inspiration. While keeping your loved ones close, this is also a time to remember to support local retail businesses. It wouldn’t be Christmas without them either!
“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal and that every path may lead to peace.”
—Agnes M. Pharo
Merry Merry!
Suzie Osterloh Publisher/Owner
Anne Matheis, Colin Miller/Strauss-Peyton, Karen Palmer, Megan Lorenz, Peaks View LLC, Roland Halbe, Sundos Schneider, Valentin Luthiger Zoe Miller
sosterloh@stlouishomesmag.com
maya@stlouishomesmag.com
www.stlouishomesmag.com
©2024 by Distinctive Lifestyles LLC. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpts granted by written request only.
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Bring warmth and wonder to holiday tablescapes with unique taper candles and holders.
By Maya Brenningmeyer
Add an extra flair to your seasonal decor with tasteful, twinkling holiday bells.
By Maya Brenningmeyer
Bell
Join us in welcoming the holiday season this weekend at our annual Holiday Tabletop Tour!
Stop by 9 amazing shops to find decor inspiration and listen in to discussions about decorating for the season. Get your tour card stamped to be entered to win door prizes at each location!
Free Event Saturday November 2nd 10AM-4PM
www.stlouishomesmag.com/events
Edited by Maya Brenningmeyer
Portrait Photography by Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton
The first step to decorating your home is choosing a theme! A consistent theme in an area helps to create a cohesive look. Layer in lighting with string lights and add candles and lanterns to add a cozy ambiance. In our homes, most people will want to incorporate personal and family items, and this adds a personal touch (that is often missing in a store setting!) Adding in vintage ornaments and handmade items from family members helps balance our love for nostalgia with a fresh look that isn’t dated. Bringing nature indoors with natural elements using real or faux garlands, wreaths, pinecones and berries really completes a festive look.
Adrienne Mennemeyer, owner of Olive Tree Marketplace and Olive Tree Marketplace’s Christmas Store, located at The Meadows in Lake St. Louis, gives us her tips and tricks for preparing your home for the holidays.
To strike a balance between festive and overwhelming, it is important to avoid a cluttered or overly busy look. In the store, this is our biggest challenge! Sometimes, we can’t avoid it being overwhelming. In our homes, we should try to limit colors to just two or three so the space doesn’t feel chaotic. We recommend using neutrals to decorate a few focal points like the fireplace mantel, the Christmas tree, dining room table and the front door. Trying to get too many small items in a room will make it look cluttered, so make sure to focus on a nice statement piece, remove some of the everyday decor to make room for the holiday decor. Also, keep
in mind that scale matters a lot in space and you need to create flow between areas.
Light and Joy
Lights are my personal favorite way to decorate, whether it’s outdoors on the porch or indoors with lanterns and candles. I think adding new modern light strands to your existing Christmas tree updates it instantly. Lights add variety and fun with the different modes and color options that are now available. The right lighting creates ambiance, coziness and warmth in a space.
Right on Time
The ideal time to start decorating really is a personal preference and sometimes based on cultural traditions and religious practices. Early planners will start decorating right after Halloween. In a retail setting, we have to start decorating early, but we don’t expect our customers to follow. Holiday enthusiasts also want to make sure they see all of the new items first and purchase the latest trendy items that typically sell out before most people start thinking about Christmas.
There are so many safety concerns to remember when decorating for the holidays, especially when it comes to fire safety and keeping our children and pets safe from poisonous decor. Unfortunately, we hear of so many house fires around Christmas. One of the reasons that artificial trees and plants are popular is that they keep our homes and pets safe. When using fresh trees, make sure to keep it well watered and don’t overload them with lights, also add a timer. Avoid toxic plants like poinsettias, mistletoe, holly and some kinds of pine. Opting for artificial versions is always the safe bet here. Make sure your tree is not in danger of tipping and keep those precious heirloom ornaments securely attached to the tree with wire or a good hook.
Tried
For 2024, we’re seeing a lot of oversized garlands and greenery! Lush layered garlands are in for mantels, staircases and tabletops. Artificial greenery now comes in “real touch” and looks and feels just like the real thing. Lighting innovations such as “infinity lights” are my favorite this season. These lights create the illusion of depth and come in a variety of fun designs like snowflakes, reindeer, trees, Santa, etc.! I believe expressing your individual style, creativity and celebrating the season in a way that brings you joy will always be the most important thing to remember when decorating for the holidays!
Floral designer Ammari Bourgeois makes colorful, sparkly flower and plant arrangements perfect for any season.
By Michelle Mastro / Photography by Kim Dillon
Even in winter, colorful flower arrangements can br ighten up any space. Floral designer Ammari Bourgeois, founder of Noon Moon Bloom Co. believes a seasonal centerpiece or floral bouquet can complete your tablescape or room décor and push away winter blues. “I’ve always had a love for things being radiant and unexpected,” she says for why she choose to make colorful, sparkly flower and plant arrangements, whatever the weather.
In fact, it is nature’s beauty that inspires Bourgeois’ work. “Even though I work in glitter and rhinestones, this all still comes from nature,” she says. Be it snowdrops glistening on ornamental grasses in her yard, the twinkling of stars in the winter sky or snowflakes gently falling to cover the ground. “I live in a rural community and get to see the glow of the stars,” she explains. She enjoys the countryside’s changing of the seasons, from watching the vibrant hues of shifting autumn leaves to observing the sun dip low into the horizon every night in the form of a sunset—what she lovingly calls “nature’s fireworks.”
When it comes to wint er or holiday flowers especially, she loves to take what nature has already provided and “throw in a dash of new moon charm.”“I like to lean into gilded flowers in silver or gold, or embrace frosted leaves, or choose a pearlescent style with pops of color for my Christmas bouquets and centerpieces,” she says. Indeed, ever since Bourgeois was a young girl, she has been enchanted with the idea of turning something commonplace into something extraordinary. “I really like taking a simple flower and giving it this cosmic glow up,” she says. “That’s where my style and approach to my work comes from.”
But her work is more than just making flowers even more pretty. Having winter flowers in a home can be a mood-booster during the season’s colder months, as fresh flowers perk up a space by ushering in life and warmth. And it’s another reason why Bourgeois loves creating colorful floral pieces because her art can brighten up someone else’s day. “Flowers are so personal,” she says, “and when you deliver them to people, you become a part of the biggest or lowest moments of their lives.” Meaning, whether her clients are celebrating a big milestone or receiving flowers for a not-so-happy reason like the loss of a loved one, flowers can impact a person on a personal level. It’s inspirational, she says, to see people light up when they receive a gift of flowers and to know that someone is thinking of them. “I enjoy these moments together with customers and feel like I’ve become a part of their memories.”
Those interested in learning more about Noon Moon Bloom Co. can visit their website. In November, Bourgeois will hold a celestial centerpieces workshop, teaching how to make beautiful tablescapes for dinner parties, “but with a cosmic twist.” “I want to help clients create something truly out of this world,” she says. Noon Moon Bloom Co. will also begin collaborating with a local maker to create handcrafted vases that will complement the brand’s bouquet of the month club. “There will be much more to come from us, and I’m excited for all the fun collabs and projects we have planned ahead.” To see more www.noonmoonbloom.com See stlouishomesmag.com for more photos and resources.
Annual 7, 14, 21
Enjoy FREE live music, trolley rides, carolers, ice carvings, street performers & more!
Throughout the month of December, view dazzling holiday windows throughout the Central West End decorated by some of St. Louis’s finest interior design firms.
Interior Design firms: Participating businesses:
Zoe Miller, Interior Designer
Melbrooke Interiors
Barbara Collins Interior Design
Melbrooke Interiors
Amy Spellmeyer
Retail Design Institute Heartland Chapter
Barbara Collins Interior Design
Alicia Nicole Jackson
Kalissa Wilson Interiors
Tielere Cheatem
Dottie Eaton—Design Style
Olive and Opal
Mel Husmann
Sherelle Speed
Tielere Cheatem
Gateway LUG
La Petite Salon
Edera Italian Eatery
AC Hotel
Bonobos
Drunken Fish
LuluLemon
The Cup
Up-Down Arcade Bar
Main Squeeze
Cocina Latina
Ocassions Boutique
Eye Bar
CWE Office
The Silver Lady Dressel’s
Please visit cwescene.com for a full list of participants and details.
SPONSORED BY
Suzie and Dave Spence, the previous owners of this historic Ladue estate, open their doors for gatherings large and small.
By Kim Hill
Wreaths of metallic gold ornaments bring out the gold in the dining room’s wallpaper. “I saw this idea and thought it would be perfect for these chairs,” says the homeowner.
After they purchased the home several years ago, the previous homeowners added window boxes and a parking courtyard, complementing the home’s French Chateau-inspired exterior.
ative St. Louisans, Suzie and Dave Spence, the previous owners of this historic home, firmly believe the house is made for celebrations, and what better cause for celebrating and hosting than the Deck the Halls of Glennon Homes holiday tour?
The Ladue home was created by legendary architects Raymond Maritz Sr. and William Ridgely Young, an architectural firm designing over 100 stately homes in the first half of the 20th century. Sited on nearly 11 acres, the property includes a cottage built in 1934 and the French Chateau-styled main house built the next year. In the 1980s the second owners tripled the size of the main house and added a pool, pool house, formal gardens and terraces among other amenities.
The previous owners, only the third in the estate’s 90-year history, bought the property in 2010, embarking first on renovations inside. “Even with the additions, the main house still only had three bedrooms, and we have four children,” says the wife. “We turned the attic and two offices into bedrooms.” Renovations to the kitchen and elsewhere took six months, and when those were complete, the couple turned to the outdoors, which a parking courtyard was added in the front of the house, the cutting garden refurbished and vegetable and fruit gardens, large planters and window boxes were added. The results? So spectacular St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles named the estate Garden of the Year.
For the interiors, the wife consulted designer Melinda Hagedorn. “ We work really well together,” the wife says of her collaboration with Hagedorn, principal of Interiors by Melinda. “When we started working on renovations of this home, we wanted to bring it back a little closer to what it originally looked like.”
The previous owner’s love of color, texture and layering of materials guided the design direction. “You can see that in the living room where we used blue silk fabric for the walls,” the wife explains. “This room gets so much light, the fabric appears to change color depending on the weather outside. Sometimes it looks like cornflower blue but when it’s raining or darker out, it’s more of a periwinkle.”
The formality of the furnishings—winged chairs, an ebony baby grand piano, a fringed cloverleaf ottoman—take cues from the ornate marble fireplace, adorned with frescoes and original to the home. For the holiday tour, a Christmas tree decked in peacock shades of blues and greens adds festive fun to the space. “I always have a peacock tree,” says the wife. “My grandmother raised peacocks.” This tree and the garland on the fireplace mantel also held oversized gemstonelike ornaments in bright jewel tones, a suggestion from floral designer and noted Christmas décor aficionado Dave Zettler.
Another original fireplace takes center stage in the card room in the front of the home. “In here the walls are done in a strié paint finish,
Checkered floors in black and white bring geometric elements of the home’s Art Deco time period into the foyer.
“I wanted a simpler, more monochromatic tree in the front entry,” says the wife. Gold is the dominant metallic, while the elf ornaments have been collected over the years and always find a home in the entryway tree.
which gives it texture,” the wife says of the sophisticated hue. She says the card room was part of the original main house.
The dining room was also a part of the original house. It’s small by Maritz and Young standards of the day, the wife says. “We understand this house was designed as a country home or a second home, so the dining room was intended more for buffet tables and that sort of thing,” she explains. The dining room also features a marble fireplace original to the home.
The previous owner and Melinda pulled out the glam in appointing this room, with a metallic geometric wallpaper, mirrored chair rail and Lucite and blue velvet dining chairs. “We just wanted to do something fresh and bright to open it up since this is a small room,” says the wife. “The mirrored chair rail really highlights the fireplace.”
For the home tour, blue ginger jars filled with fresh florals by Dave Zettler adorned the table, while sprays of peacock feathers flank the painting above the fireplace. On the chair backs, wreaths of shiny gold add even more glitz to the room. “I saw this idea and thought it would
Left: With a fireplace original to the home and walls clad in a strié paint finish to add texture, the card room exudes sophistication.
Middle: The black-and-white check ribbon take cues from MacKenzie-Childs signature pattern while the brightly colored baubles pay homage to the colorful wallpaper in the wife’s office.
Bottom: The previous owners remodeled the kitchen when they purchased the home, although the cabinets installed by the previous homeowners were kept. To update them, Dwyer Custom Painting painted the cabinets in a high-gloss blue, textured them and then handpainted gold trim around the door panel edges.
be perfect for these chairs,” the wife says of the wreaths. “The color picks up the gold of the wallpaper.”
Af ter purchasing the home, the previous owners did a major renovation in the kitchen. “A wall cut off half of the kitchen, so we took out that wall, which opened up the space, and then we did a new opening into the family room,” the wife says. They kept the cabinets installed by the home’s second owners, but the cabinetry received a major facelift thanks to Dwyer Custom Painting. “He painted the cabinets a beautiful, high-gloss blue, put a treatment on them to give it texture, and then hand-painted the gold grooves outlining the panels,” says the wife. “Melinda and I collaborated on this idea. Her creativity is out of this world.”
Over the years, the previous owners have hosted multiple charitable and family events. The wife says longtime friends Brigette McMillin and Carol Mullenix asked several times if the home could be part of the Deck the Halls tour. “We had two weddings at our home during that time, so I kept saying, ‘if I don’t have a wedding, I’ll do it.’ So, the year there was no wedding, they called and asked if I’d do the tour and I said yes,” the wife laughs.
The wife says she enjoyed interacting with the guests on the home tour, seeing old friends and meeting many new faces. “Because the estate has been intact since the 1930s, the house has so much history and it’s fun to have others enjoy it,” says the wife. “We’ve always felt like it’s just made to open up and have people enjoy, whether for charities, for celebrations in our family, whatever it may be. We’ve been big supporters of Cardinal Glennon for a long time, and if we can support in any way, whether it’s time, treasure or talent, we want to support the kids there.” They have since sold the home due to travel and enjoy spending time at their vineyard, Spence Vineyards, in Napa Valley and three restaurants in Park City, Utah. See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and additional photos.
Blue silk baths the walls of the living room, a sophisticated space with abundant natural light. The previous homeowner says the fabric walls take on a different hue depending on the weather outside or time of day. A glitzy chest and yellow fringed ottoman add playful touches to the formal furnishings.
Couple sprinkles holiday spirit throughout their home.
By Gina Parsons
uring the Christmas season, holiday tableware will adorn the table at Ruth and Thomas Brouster’s home in Ladue as they host holiday events for their family.
“I have dishes and glasses for every holiday and every occasion. I love setting them out and using them,” Ruth says. “We always have a lot of family over at Christmastime, and Tom says, ‘Why not use paper plates,’ and I say, ‘No, I have holiday dishes. I’m using them.’”
They enjoy hosting family get-togethers during the holiday season, including having a celebration for the many December birthdays in the family. The couple has three children, all of whom live in the St. Louis area, plus seven grandchildren. In addition, their extended family is large, with Ruth being one of eight siblings.
On Christmas Day they often host as many as 65 people, Ruth says.
Last year their house, which they’ve lived in since 2021, was featured on the Deck the Halls of Glennon Homes holiday house tour. “We were pleased to do an event for such a good cause. It worked out well,” Tom says.
I have dishes and glasses for every holiday and every occasion. I love setting them out and using them”
—Ruth
“Ruth gets a tremendous amount of satisfaction from decorating, and she’s good at it.”
Ruth decorates for every holiday throughout the year. “I love a project, and decorating is a project. It’s something that I love to do,” she says.
For Christmas, they fill every room with holiday cheer. Ruth puts holiday-themed bedding in all of the bedrooms and decorates the bathrooms with holiday towels and decorations.
They put up trees in several rooms of the house. Tom says his favorite holiday decoration is the “family tree,” which graces the hearth room. For the family tree, they choose a real tree on which to put their keepsake family ornaments.
“Through the years, from the time I was a child even, we had the ornaments on a real tree,” he says. “Our children and grandchildren have seen a tree every year with the various ornaments we’ve collected over the years. Some were handmade by the kids when they were younger.”
They also set up a formal tree in the entry hallway, Ruth says. A collection of crystal ornaments, including reindeer, bells and angels—many of which are Waterford—shimmer and twinkle from its branches. It also has a beautiful angel on top, which was in Tom’s family.
They trim the outside of the home with lights, decorate the porch and flank the front doors with Christmas trees. In the lower level, they decorate a tree with all Radko ornaments. “I like those. I’ve been collecting those for a long time,” Ruth says. In the pool house, they decorate every room, including placing over the fireplace a picture of Santa Claus and his sleigh of reindeer flying off into the moonlight.
“The decorations enhance the family gathering and the celebration of Christmas,” Tom says. “It gives you a warm Christmas feeling when you walk in. It lifts people’s spirits about celebrating the holiday.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
Decorating, hosting and enjoying Christmas Year-Round.
ebbie Midgley’s heart beats red, white and green before and after December each year.
“Probably at least 20 years ago, I started earnestly decorating inside my home for Christmas beginning in November. I’m a Hallmark girl, loving to watch Christmas in July,” she quips. “In fact, I leave trees up in my bedroom year-round. I enjoy using the trees as dim lighting at night. These decorations are a constant source of comfort.”
Just one look at Debbie’s crisp holiday embellishments reveals a keen fondness of polar bears, five gingerbread houses, jewel-green accents and deep-cherry crimson baubles. While polar bears may not be the most traditional ‘Christmas animal,’ except at Coca-Cola’s headquarters in Atlanta, they’re strongly associated with winter snow and often appear on Christmas cards. Additionally, polar bears are respected by Inuit hunters as the most intelligent animal in the Arctic, and as a symbol of resilience, patience and determination— all wonderful attributes to emulate for the holidays.
This Chesterfield resident says her concerted decorating largely began with hosting two different book clubs comprised of fellow subdivision women. “It started with inviting the two book clubs to
come together at the end of the year for a gift exchange, sometimes attending in Christmas pajamas or in ugly sweaters, and for other seasonal observations, such as coming in costumes for Halloween. We first had 12 to 15 women. Now, we’ve grown to 40 to 50,” Debbie shares.
Along with a holiday meal for the book club members, Debbie says she provides attendees with a take-away gift, often a candle in velvet or ornament-adorned boxes. She strategically uses these gifts as centerpieces or other decorations, then encourages guests, as a surprise, to select one at the evening’s end.
She says her décor inspirations come from magazines and ideas she sees on TV, as well as spotting specific holiday items from local stores, such as Mary Tuttle's in Chesterfield, Three French Hens in Wildwood, Marketplace At The Abbey in Manchester and The Gifted Gardener in Brentwood.
“Each year, I build on [ceramics and home decor retailer] MacKenzie-Childs Christmas collections when they have an online barn sale during July, and add a few new pieces,” Debbie explains.
As a Coldwell Banker Realty-Gundaker real estate agent, Debbie says she can’t help but suggest decorating ideas to clients with
homes on the market during the holiday season. Personally, she has a special memory tree, featuring people who’ve passed on, to honor and remember them during the holiday season. Referenced as her ‘Cardinals tree,’ it embodies the concept that many people believe seeing a red Northern Cardinal bird is a sign a deceased loved one is nearby or visiting them in spirit.
When Debbie became a widow during 2020, she added her husband’s photo to the memory tree. “Then we lost two members of the book club, and some other friends, so I added their photos to the tree, too,” she says.
She recalls she used to take pictures of her Christmas decorations so she could re-erect them in similar fashion. “I navigated to a different solution, though, after moving in 2022 across the street from my home of 30 years into a smaller home with a different floor plan. Where I put things before obviously changed, such as the polar bears used to be on a two-story landing and they now are in my kitchen/breakfast area. And I began to leave decorations up, bringing trees in and out of my bedroom instead of having to disassemble them. I now decorate the first floor and lower level of my home,” she says.
During the relocation, she says she placed sheets over her trees and had the movers carry them fully assembled. “The joke now is that due to a future progressive dinner in the subdivision, I’ll probably leave my Christmas decorations up until the end of February,” she says.
Where t o store so many themed decorations also has been tackled by Debbie, who erected metal shelves in the unfinished portion of her home, converting from previously storing in boxes. She says she stacked the shelves back-to-back, surrounding them with a cover that unzips from the sides, front or back. “Everyone calls the storage ‘my shop,’ and some others who’ve seen it are now building the same type of system at their houses. It’s a great way to have each holiday organized, with all the Easter, Fourth of July and Thanksgiving items having their own sections,” Debbie states.
How long does it take Debbie to get all these Christmas decorations out to admire? “At least a period of over two weeks, then I tend to rearrange over time,” she says. “Sometimes my son and two grandsons help. They tell me it looks like Christmas exploded in my home!” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and additional photos.
Get into the spirit with a homemade holiday wreath.
By Maya Brenningmeyer
Once you’ve decided to create your wreath, some basic supplies you’ll need include pine branches or wreath branches, a wreath wring, floral wire, wire cutters and floral stems or fishing wire. For an average-sized wreath ring, about 24-25 balsam fir branches should be enough for a full wreath. For additional wreath decorations, you can grab cedar or holly clippings, ribbons, bows, pine cones, oranges or red berries. Decorative pine cones and branches can be collected when walking outside and wreath branches can be found at local tree farms, florists or online.
After you’ve gathered your supplies, begin by cutting your wreath branches into smaller, wreath-sized pieces. Make sure to keep some variation in sizing to help add more depth to your wreath. Then, gather 3-4 wreath pieces and layer them on top of each other before securing the gathered bunch onto the wreath ring. Use floral wire to wrap around the bunch a few times until it feels secure. Continue this process until the entire wreath is covered in branches and use garden pruners for any necessary branch cleanup. Don’t forget to use some floral or fishing wire to make a loop at the top of your wreath! This is how you’ll attach it to your door.
Add a Little Flair
One of the most exciting parts of creating your own wreath is customizing it with fun decorations! This is a great opportunity to use extra bits and pieces of ribbon or items you find outside like pine cones and branches. To attach your decor pieces to your wreath, attach long pieces of floral wire to your decorative pieces. You should have two sides of the wire hanging down with your decoration attached to the wire in the middle. Once you’ve selected where to place your decoration, bend the wire around the wreath and twist the two ends together in the back to secure the item in place. Continue this process until your wreath is complete! 4
A homemade wreath can last anywhere from three to eight weeks. Wreaths kept outside in cooler temperatures or climate-controlled indoor areas will last longer than wreaths hanging in warm spots around the house. Being in full sun can also impact the longevity of your wreath, be mindful about how much sun your wreath is getting. Misting your wreath every one to two days can also help your wreath stay fresh.
Dried oranges are an easy DIY wreath decoration. Start by grabbing a couple of oranges at your local grocery store. Note that the type of orange can affect the color of the slices. For example, a blood orange will have a much deeper color when dried compared to a navel orange.
— Once you have your oranges, give them a quick rinse and dry thoroughly, then slice thinly with a knife or mandoline. Be sure to watch your fingers! This is also a good time to start preheating your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
— Once your oranges are sliced, place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet and evenly spread the oranges on top of the parchment paper. Before placing them in the oven, give them one last pat dry with a paper towel.
— The oranges will bake for two to four hours, be sure to rotate them every 30 minutes to ensure they dry evenly. Once they’re completely dehydrated, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool to room temperature.
St. Louis’ beloved, walkable holiday light show returns to the Missouri Botanical Garden this November with brand new exhibits and activities.
By Jessika Eidson
Since 2013, Garden GLOW has become a holiday tradition in St. Louis, offering a unique and immersive experience as guests walk through over 2 million lights. Each year, the light show presented by Wells Fargo transforms the Missouri Botanical Garden into a dazzling winter wonderland, complete with mesmerizing exhibits, musical light shows, delicious holiday treats, cozy rentable fire pits and plenty of photo opportunities to capture these unforgettable moments.
New this year, the Garden is adding two new areas to connect visitors with our botanical mission. The Grand Grove will feature a dozen vibrantly glowing faux oak trees to highlight the Garden’s extensive living oak collection, which contains over 60 species of oak trees. A new addition to the Victorian District will be a glowing, golden
meadow that beautifully mimics the prairie restoration work the Garden is doing at Shaw Nature Reserve.
The Garden will also be debuting a 15-foot glowing snowflake - a perfect place for a family photo or surprise engagement.
Guests can enjoy some tasty treats at Garden GLOW with a new vintage candy shop selling old-fashioned candies, as well as freshly roasted nuts available at the Visitor Center.
You don 't want to miss out on one of the largest and most immersive light shows in St. Louis. Garden GLOW is happening November 16, 2024–January 4, 2025, and tickets are on sale now at mobot.org/glow.
The light displays are the star of the show each night during Garden GLOW. Daytime visitors can enjoy tropical blooms and escape the cold in our conservatories including the Climatron®, Shoenberg Arid House, and Linnean House.
By Maya Brenningmeyer
Bring an extra touch of festivity to your holiday decorating with creative, fun children’s room decor ideas.
When it comes to decorating your home for the holidays, the fun doesn’t have to stop at your living room or dining room. Decorating children’s rooms is a festive opportunity for family bonding and to add some extra magic to the season. Experimenting with fun color palettes, sparkly ornaments and classic Christmas characters can add a touch of whimsy to these smaller spaces!
The Power of Pillows
Pillows are a fun and simple way to add holiday cheer to a smaller space. Christmas classics like nutcrackers, reindeer and christmas trees can be found on a variety of pillow shapes and sizes. Lumbar pillows add interest to bedding arrangements and throw pillows are a perfect addition to reading nooks.
Embroidered pillows are also a great way to add additional character.
Durability is key when decorating a child’s room, especially if you want the decorations to last for years to come. An innovative solution to this is using felt decor items. They’re soft, durable and easy to put up and take down. From felt Christmas trees to advent calendars, the possibilities are endless!
Children’s rooms are also a place where you can experiment with color. Colorful Christmas trees with pink, gold and glitter add a hint of sparkle. Fun bedding with printed patterns or embroidery can help define the seasons and incorporate some of your favorite holiday characters.
Decorating your child’s room is also an opportunity to start new traditions. Letting your child choose their own tree and ornaments, or helping them create their own, helps them learn more about the holiday season and add their own personality to their space. Fun activities like DIY advent calendars or gingerbread houses are exciting, temporary decorations that get the whole family excited for Christmas.
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Adrienne Mennemeyer, our Insider, gives her tips for decorating smaller spaces for the holidays.
Think scale and use miniature-sized decor in small spaces! You can use a miniature tree with tiny ornaments. Incorporate festive towels and holiday bath mats with some scented candles in the bathroom. In a children’s room, try a small 4-foot tree decorated in your child’s favorite color or theme. Colorful trees like hot pink are becoming more popular and come in small sizes, too. This is also a great place to put all of their handmade ornaments and crafts so that the tree reflects their creativity!
family home celebrates the holidays with tasteful and colorful Christmas decorations.
By Julie Brown Patton
Christmas decor doesn’t have to be red and green to be admired. White Christmas trees with pastel pink decorations at the Frontenac home of Emily Hickey were immensely enjoyed by participants of the 2023 Deck The Halls of Glennon Homes holiday tour—especially given that one tree was topped with a doughnut and the other a unicorn.
Bedrooms of Emily’s two daughters, 10 and 6 years old, were decorated for Christmas, using a soft yet bold touch, with ornaments that blend well with the bedrooms’ vintage, French Country furniture. This calming adornment theme also sprinkled in a joyful touch of the 2023 Barbie phenomenon to festivities. In general, decorating with shades of pink symbolizes love, affection and kindness, so the hue organically leans into the Christmas spirit of giving.
Emily says decorating with pastels was a big hit. “My girls have pink rooms, and they wanted pink trees to match. The decorations complemented great,” she adds. “The girls helped pick everything out and decorate them. We did it together.”
She says they plan to keep the girls’ Christmas trees pink again for this year’s Noel merriment. “Overall, several of my decorations have sentimental value. Some of the special things I have are the ornaments on my front tree. And the kids get needlepoint ornaments every year. They have a collection of those,” Emily explains about what is now a time-honored tradition.
Additionally, she says she embellishes a corner reading chair area with authentic horse items, many from her Grandmother Dolores’ equestrian days, along with a festive pillow, throw and oversized silver ornament.
Her more traditional, red, green and gold themed holiday tree encompassed owls, Santas and pine cones, surrounded by red-and-black plaid ribbons, scarves, pillows and table runner.
Emily says her favorite outcome of the Deck The Halls tour is the money it raised for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.
“Cardinal Glennon is an amazing place that provides opportunities for patients and families they would not have without fundraising. I’m in the medical field, and on the board of an organization called Paraquad. I get to work with patients from Cardinal Glennon at Paraquad,” Emily states. See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
HOLIDAY TOUR
SATURDAY DECEMBER 7, 2024
10AM-3PM
ST. LOUIS HOMES + LIFESTYLES AND THE GLENNON GUILD ARE PLEASED TO PRESENT A TOUR OF FOUR HOMES BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
PROCEEDS FROM THE TOUR SUPPORT THE PATIENTS OF SSM HEALTH CARDINAL GLENNON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
SCAN FOR INFO & TO PURCHASE TICKETS
A pretty packaged present makes the gift inside even more special.
By Wendy Noory
The festive season ignites a pursuit for the ideal wrapping paper, a harmonious extension of the holiday’s motif or a fresh palette to complement our decor. It’s a time when some elevate gift-wrapping to an art form, meticulously folding edges to crisp perfection, adorning packages with bows or ribbons placed just so, crafting presents that almost seem too precious to open. Yet, the essence of a gift lies in its unveiling, in the joy and celebration of what’s inside.
Tracing back to ancient customs, the art of gift wrapping was born from the use of natural textiles such as linen, cotton and silk. Gifts were enshrouded in fabric, secured with knots or fabric strips, the act itself a ritual symbolizing luck and protection. This tradition evolved to the simple exchanges between neighbors—
sharing produce, a cup of sugar or an egg— into a tapestry of kindness woven throughout the year, marking occasions from the mundane to the special.
Today, the panorama of wrapping options is boundless, ranging from classic hues to whimsical characters, from bold graphics to subtle patterns. The integrity of the paper is paramount, ensuring each fold, each crease, contributes to the gift’s final elegance. We’ve all felt the disappointment of paper tearing as we stretch it over a package, leaving us to ponder whether to mend it or start anew, conscious of the impression it will make upon receipt. In Clayton, The Paper Source offers an exquisite selection of artisanal wrapping papers, available by roll or sheet, so beautiful they could be framed and admired as art.
As we wrap, we weave a narrative of anticipation and wonder, each choice in paper and ribbon a reflection of the care we place in selecting the perfect gift. It’s a practice steeped in history, yet ever evolving, a testament to the timeless joy of giving. Whether it’s a simple token or a grand gesture, the way we present it can transform the act of giving into a memorable event, one that starts with the visual delight of a beautifully wrapped present. The Paper Source in Clayton stands as a beacon for those who seek not just paper, but a canvas for their festive expressions, a place where the art of wrapping is celebrated and elevated to new heights. See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
By Zoe Miller / Photography by Peaks View LLC / Architect Barry Nelson / Builder Versa Development & Rubicon, Inc.
The homes of Lafayette Square are known for their striking architecture, vibrant culture and rich history. Combining the art of the past with the innovation of the future, Lafayette Square has become one of St. Louis’ most desirable neighborhoods. Sitting on the north side of Hickory Street between Missouri Avenue and Macay Place sits the Square’s newest addition: Lafayette Reserve. A 14-home project by Versa Development, tied together by a distinct vision of what the best city living looks like today. While city living can be exhilarating, it does not always come with the comforts of home some crave. Lafayette Reserve’s goal is to bridge the gap and create the ideal environment for those who want to live in the city without losing the feel of a small
town community. With spacious rooms and just enough outdoor green space, the homes feature plenty of natural lighting, high quality finishes and a beautiful location.
The beauty of Lafayette Reserve lies in the community around it. “Lafayette Square is a tremendously attractive neighborhood, and we’re building more Lafayette Square homes, but to 21st century standards,” says Jeff Winzerling of Versa Development & Rubicon, Inc. Lafayette Reserve sits on some of the last remaining new development sites in the Lafayette Square neighborhood, keeping new homeowners close to the community while still remaining close to city landmarks like Soulard Farmers Market, SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis Union Station and more.
Embrace the luxury of sailing on your own private yacht… no jacket required.
By Gina Christman
Imagine setting sail on a vessel that seamlessly blends the casual elegance of a private yacht with the amenities of a luxurious cruise ship. Limited to just 312 guests, the Windstar Star Legend provides incomparable personalized service with one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios at sea. Here, you're not just a passenger, you're part of the family— this crew anticipates your requests before you even make them, from your own stateroom attendant whose answer is always yes to the bartenders who remember the precise way you like your cocktail.
Perhaps the most alluring aspect of this yacht is its ability to explore the world's most captivating destinations in a truly immersive way. The yacht's smaller size and nimble maneuverability allow the Star Legend to navigate tiny ports and hidden coves that larger ships simply cannot access, allowing guests to experience the authentic charm of each
destination up close. To boot, Windstar keeps shore excursions small with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people, and its culture special and meaningful.
The entire Windstar fleet sails all over the world, and Star Legend’s enchanting journey through the storied British Isles is a shining example. The voyage begins in edgy Edinburgh —the perfect launching pad to delve into Scotland's rollicking capital before savoring medieval alleys, castles, and single-malt tastings in the charming village of Oban.
Swap k ilts for Irish cables in Belfast, where you can unravel the Titanic's tragic tale at its stunning exhibit, reenact Game of Thrones lore on location tours, or simply soak up the personality-packed sights along the wild Antrim Coast. After roistering through Dublin's jovial pubs, head to the Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry for a wee dram at the Ferculan Irish Whiskey distillery amidst its gorgeous gardens.
From the quaint Welsh harbor of Fishguard to the remote, wildflower-cloaked Isles of Scilly (pop. 120), you'll savor a taste of the delightfully unhurried coastal corners missed by larger ships. An ideal
ending to 10 days of unearthing local lores and storied lands.
Once back aboard your pampered yacht, unwind in the heated pool or whirlpools as your Celtic adventures give way to pinch-me moments of serenity. The stunningly chic spa and fitness center provide a perfect relaxing counterpoint to the day's adventures as well.
Everything about this all-suite “floating hotel” is pure luxury. The spacious, open-layout suites, well-lighted bathrooms with two sinks, spacious tiled showers (some suites have tubs) and L’Occitane toiletries. And a most welcomed touch—walk-in closets with ample shelving, drawers and hanging space.
But, oh…the food! While other cruise lines might do culinary partnerships, Windstar's collaboration with the James Beard Foundation (considered the highest honor for culinary professionals in the US) makes this a distinctive offering among the small-ship luxury cruise segment. Select James Beard Foundation member chefs are brought on board to host special culinary themed cruises throughout the year. During these cruises, the featured chefs provide market tours, cooking demonstrations, meals with wine pairings, lectures, book signings and other culinary-focused experiences for guests.
In essence, sailing on a small cruise ship unlocks a world of intimate experiences, authentic encounters, and personalized adventures. It's the perfect choice for travelers seeking to explore the globe in a more immersive and meaningful way. And true to its slogan, Windstar’s way is 180 degrees from ordinary.
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Places to go, things to do and see and people who are leaving their mark on the world of style.
Studio Seilern Architects designs a unique restaurant space among an awe-inspiring mountain range in Switzerland.
By Maya Brenningmeyer
Architect: Studio Seilern Architects
Photography by Roland Halbe and Valentin Luthiger
Gütsch, Andermatt, Switzerland
Opened in late December 2019, the restaurant building in Gütsch is situated at the interchange of two cable car lines, 2,362m above sea level. The building is home to two restaurants, The Japanese by The Chedi Andermatt and The Gütsch by Markus Neff. To accommodate, the building is split into three volumes. One for each restaurant, and one for the kitchen, with additional amenity spaces and storage in the basement level.
The construction was led by Studio Seilern Architects, a London-based creative practice established by Christina Seilern. The practice produces exceptional architecture across multiple building sizes, typologies and locations. This includes Andermatt, the home of the restaurant building. A mountain village situated in the center of the Saint-Gotthard Massif, Andermatt has seen substantial
growth in the form of hotels, chalets, apartments and a Scottish-style 18-hole golf course. Advertised as an alternative to popular ski resort destinations nearby, the village is slowly becoming a year-round luxury travel destination. Due to Andermatt’s severe weather, the construction process had to be broken down into two summer seasons. The time available to build was limited and some materials had to be transported to the site by helicopter. The initial summer season saw the creation of the basement concrete structure, and the second summer season involved placing the prefabricated timber walls and beams to complete the process.
Altogether, the building holds 110 indoor seats and 190 outdoor seats with visitors having a clear view of the surrounding mountains through terrace decks and large, glass windows. The architects found inspiration from art pieces such as “Wanderer above the Sea of Fog” by Caspar David Friedrich and "Horta de Ebro" by Manolo Valdez. Friedrich’s painting inspired the architects on how to capture the awesomeness of the mountain’s altitude. Valdez’s sculpture provided context on how clusters of stone, or buildings, could be used in a mountainous landscape. The building’s large balconies are attached to anchoring stone volumes. This plays off a sense of lightness and invites visitors to feel as though they’re floating over the landscape, reflecting the feeling of reaching the peak of a climb.
Since the restaurant building is set on a steep incline, many precautions were taken during the design and construction. To adapt to the steepness of the site, solid stone volumes, like the ones that anchor the balconies, are anchored into the ground. In addition to this, the base of the building is made of concrete foundations and base. “The roof structure is unique to each volume and follows the diagonal slope of the buildings,” says Studio Seilern Architects. Indoors, a series of beams stretch across each volume and serve as a defining characteristic of each dining space. On the exterior, the building is covered in natural stone, typical for Swiss buildings at
this altitude. The stone helps the buildings weather excessive wind, frost, ice and snow. “We surveyed the local stone and masonry walls built by the army over the years and wanted to adopt the same language, of a material sourced from the site, as if it was always meant to be there,” mentions Studio Seilern Architects.
These thoughtful exterior touches carry into the interior. With dining rooms covered in tasteful wood planks, beams and minimalist-inspired furnishings, visitors can relax in the building’s cozy atmosphere while taking in views of the surrounding mountains See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
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In an extra special Classic or Craze, we asked our staff which holiday staple they prefer, MULTI-COLORED Christmas lights or CLEAR lights.
Edited by Maya Brenningmeyer
Photography by Anne Matheis
I love to decorate with clear lights mixed in with fancy garland and red bows for more of a classic old-fashioned and traditional Christmas look. I use it both inside and outside! I consider multi-colored lights to be a craze that came along later.
Colleen Poelker, Senior Account Executive.
I prefer white lights! White lights add a timeless elegance to any holiday decor. I love that they can be bright and cheerful as well as cozy and warm.
Zoe Miller, Marketing + Social Media Specialist.
I prefer the timeless look of clear lights both on the interior and exterior of our home during the holiday season. Clear lights provide a blank canvas for the more colorful adornments like ornaments, greenery, ribbons and bows to shine.
Melissa Mauzy, Copy Editor.
Multi-colored lights bring a vibrant, nostalgic charm that's timeless. They evoke joy and warmth, making them my go-to for holiday decorating over clear lights. Kim Dillon, Art Director.
I love multi-colored lights and think they add an extra touch of coziness and nostalgia to Christmas decor! I like to put them up outside of my house and on my Christmas tree. Maya Brenningmeyer, Managing Editor.
I prefer multi-colored Christmas lights… as long as they are psychedelic in nature. That’s the true meaning of the holidays. Barney Osterloh, Distribution Master.
I like multi-colored Christmas lights because they’re so festive and cheerful. At our house, we use both. We put multicolored lights on the outside of the house and put clear twinkle lights in the trees. This year, we already have clear twinkle lights inside of my new greenhouse! Suzie Osterloh, Publisher.
