In just a bit over a week, the ladies from my church will be hosting a wonderful event. On September 8, from 1-5, there will be six fabulous homes open for viewing. I love going into other people's homes, just for inspiration, mostly. I race home and start cleaning. hahahahaha. Really and truly you can get some great ideas for your own home by seeing what others have done with theirs. On this tour of homes, there are several different decorating styles. Real families live in these homes and words cannot express how grateful we are to them for agreeing to be on the tour. Here is a list of the homes. I don't have any inside pictures, just the outside pics, but I can tell you a bit about each home.
This is the home of Don and Peggy Hanks, on Hanover Street, right across from the church.
I've been in this house. It is fantastic. Don and Peggy have an amazing collection of antiques and collectibles and have displayed them so beautifully. This house is in the Arts and Crafts or Mission style so popular in the first decades of the 20th century. Be sure to check out Peggy's music room. Peggy keeps our church showcase decorated and it's fun to see all the items from her own collection that she uses to highlight each season or holiday.
This is the home of Mark and Tappi McLeod, on Warren Street.
I have never been in this house, even though it was on another Tour of Homes a few years ago. This home must be fanstastic inside. The owners are lively and fun, and definitely have the means to create a special home for their family. There's a lot of tile and a sunken room and so much more. I'm anxious to see it.
This is the home of Trent and Ann Collins on South Putnam.
I kow the picture isn't as good as it could be, but this home is surrounded by so many trees and is a real gem. It is a contemporary style and I was in it when the former owner still lived there. He had it decorated in a gorgeous modern style, which isn't my favorite style, but he had such good taste that even to me, it looked fabulous. I'm anxious to see what the Collins' have done. If you see Ann or Trent that day, you might notice crocodile tears in their eyes. Their firstborn, Amanda, has gone off to college and they are missing their little girl. They aren't yet empty-nesters, however, so their household is still quite active.
This is the home of Mike and Shawn Conlin on North Macon Street.
I can't wait to see this house. I was in this one years ago when it was on another tour of homes and it was decorated in Victorian style. It was beautiful, for sure, but was more reminiscent of a museum than a comfortable home. The new owners have a great family with fun, smart kids, and Shawn says her decorating style is more like HGTv's "Trash to Treasure". I know Shawn likes to go "picking" and I am so anxious to see how she's used her treasures.
This is the Richard and Barbara Gregory home, and the only home that is in the country (but not very far out).
I have never been in this home, but I've been told it is absolutely beautiful. Richard and Barbara are farmers and have always lived in this area, their ancestors lived here and there is a lifetime of memorabilia, plus their own lifetime of collecting displayed in this home. Quite tastefully, too. To get to this home, drive past the golf course just west of town and at the first opportunity on the west edge of the golf course, turn left and follow that road around a couple of small curves, then south about a mile or so. There will be signs to follow.
This is the home of Grant and Carrie Alward, just 1/4 mile west of the Village.
This home is sometimes referred to as "The Homestead" or the "Whitacre Mansion". The original portion of this house was built by Michael Schneider and his wife, who were the founders of the Village of Moweaqua. They were early pioneers to this area, and many, many descendants of theirs still live in and around the village, but the name has become anglicized to Snyder. Their daughter and her husband bought the house from her parents and enlarged it, then THEIR daughter and her husband transformed in into what you see now, with some exceptions. The home changed hands a few times through the years, but in recent memory it was owned by the Andreas family of Decatur (ADM), Dr. Alan Bilyeau and his wife, and Mark and Ginger Whitacre, who added on the large addition to the south. Dr. and Mrs. Phillip Alward of Decatur purchased the home and Mrs. Alward made a lot of changes on the inside, completely redoing the kitchen, as well as many other gorgeous features. This home was featured prominently in the movie "The Informant", starring Matt Damon. The movie company, including Steven Soderbergh, Mr. Damon, Melanie Linsky and many others were in and around the village for several weeks a few years ago. It was quite exciting to see how they made it snow in May, and catching glimpses of (and even getting the autograph of) Matt Damon. After Mrs. Alward's death in April of 2011, their son Grant and his wife Carrie moved back from Florida and are purchasing the home from Dr. Alward. Grant and Carrie have two cute little children, with baby number three on the way. You won't want to miss seeing this home.
So there you have it. Doesn't it sound grand? The ticket price is $7 and can be purchased that day, beginning at 12:30. You'll receive a brochure with the addresses, a map and descriptions of the homes. Just come to the First United Methodist Church in Moweaqua, located at 222 North Hanover. There will be a cookies and tea/punch reception in the Wesley room, and our own Pastor Sharon will be on hand to explain the symbolism found in the choir loft and beautiful stained glass windows of the sanctuary. The sancuary will be decorated with scads of chrysanthemums, since we designated Sunday, September 9 as Chrysanthemum Sunday. What a glorious way to begin autumn. We will have our own ladies as hostesses in each home, and I'll be in the Alward house for a couple of hours at the beginning of the tour. Stop by and say hello. See you then,
Blessings,
Brenda
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