Lake Bluff History Museum's Christmas Walk

On Saturday, December the 14th, the Lake Bluff History Museum will host a Christmas walk. This weekend, we decorated the historic Lansdowne Estate for the upcoming event.  It was enchanting to be in this lakefront estate, decorating for the holidays, as we watched the snow fall on the lake and surrounding grounds.

The classic pool house with changing rooms on either side

 

                              Lake Michigan is grey blue today and bouncing with rolling waves.

 

While the snow is falling, we are inside decking the halls with holiday spirit!

 

 

So in a few quick hours, the Romancing the Home Elves change  this

 

 

to this!

Platinum trees sit on the landing.

 

 



 

Velvet poinsettias, bronze ferns, pearl branches adorn the double sided staircase.

 

The Santos doll holds Ex Votos and French letters.

 

 

The sconces in the grand entry hall are adorned with velvet trumpet flowers, feathers and vintage garland. Angels stand below on small chests.

 

Angels are embellished with vintage velvet shawls, rhinestone belts, and crowns

made of old dress embellishments.  Millinery feathers are glued on the wings.

 

In the conservatory, we used a large garden stature as the focal point.  He holds a bouquet of iced magnolias and branches.   A fur thrown layers the day bed along with sequined pillows.

 



Iced and flocked cabbages continue the garden them in this room.

 



 

Embellished gift box and amaryllis on the ladies desk.

 

Simple flocked tree with more of the snowy cabbages.

 

The garden stature brought inside for the holidays.

 

The living room  is decorated in a Rustic Elegance theme- nests, pheasants, golden branches

Snowy magnolia wreath with a glittered peony wreath placed inside adorns the long mirror.

 



The mantle is filled with bronze ferns, iced roses, pheasants and a gorgeous green and gold faux bois ribbon.

 



 

 

Next, we head for the beautiful ladies powder room.

 

beautiful sconces are wrapped with beaded magnolias and glittered handmade birds.

 

Vintage silver plate baskets are filled with bouquets of old rhinestone pins and millinery findings.

 

A rhinestone pin is pinned on the old lace trimmed hand towel.

 

Simple and elegant!

 

Next, we head to the dining room.

 

The table is layered with Italian candelabra, wrapped boxes, vintage china and venetian glasses.

 



For the centerpiece, we layer velvet fruits, glittered fruits, glittered nests,  lace leaves and old pins

 to create a tapestry of color for the center of the table.

 

Boxes are covered in velvet and embellished with trims.

 

 

Gold rimmed antique plates with apple green centers  are placed over Anna Weatherley blue chargers. Vintage mother of pearl flatware is tucked under the chartreuse and turquoise silk napkin. The napkin rings are covered with a bronze vintage trim and old rhinestone.

 

 

 

 

As this property was used for the Infant Welfare Showcase home several years ago, the kitchen was completely remodeled and is a cook's delight.

 

We used fruit and vegetable  ornaments, velvet fruit and greens on the front island.

 

 



A lit garland is layered with velvet cabbages, iced pomegranates and pumpkin ornaments.

 

Bella Notte whisper linen tablecloth with red quilted velvet place mats along with red voile napkins

 

 

You can buy tickets to see this home at www.christmaslakebluff.com.

Visit Lansdowne along with 4 additional charming historic homes in Lake Bluff.