Don’t you love visiting those Christmas Decorator showhouses?
I sure do and make it a point to visit as many as I can during the season. And I’ve always thought it would be fun to be behind the scenes and actually get to decorate a space for one of these tours. Now I will get the opportunity to be part of a team of women who will do just that!
I went to a women’s Bible study in this home for a few weeks this summer and the owner is very involved in missions and has decided to open her house as a Holiday House this year and she brought together a committee of about 25 ladies who will help pull it off, myself included. I’m so excited to be part of this. And the best part is, it will benefit a really good cause. We have a couple in our church, Gary and Elizabeth Wilkins, who are missionaries to Africa and they build wells over there to provide clean drinking water to those in need, as well as spread the gospel. Their website is called By Provision, so please check that out too. This is a non-profit event and all the money raised during this Christmas open house will go directly to these missionaries to help further their great cause.
So, take a look around this magnificent house and I hope if you are in the Birmingham area, you’ll save the date of November 10th and plan to attend this event. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful home and the first time I stepped in these front doors, I literally gasped.
At this…..
And this, the dining room.
We had our Bible study in this huge room and I could hardly keep my mind on what Bro. Charles Stanley was saying on the CD. I know, I know, can you blame me?!
She even collects a few bunnies, so I knew then we were kindred spirits. She’s such a sweet lady.
This is only a small portion of the kitchen.
And this small den area is the room I’m going to decorate. I hope my Christmas decor spirit is up to the challenge. We will all bring our own Christmas decorations for each of our spaces, so it will be fun to see all the different looks that will be going on.
She calls this the Bistro and it’s all combined, so I’ll have some fun with this area and hopefully get it all spruced up in Christmas finery. We’re decorating and having this event early enough that we can all then have plenty of time to get our own Christmas decorating done. Can’t wait to share it all with you too, of course, after the event is over. I’ll take LOTS of pics. I’m only showing a glimpse of this house. It is something else in person!
Outside the back door.
And check out the pool and lake. What a house! It’s in Southlake, by the way, in case you live in The Ham and would like to know.
So, we will start decorating the last 2 weeks of October and the Holiday House will be open November 10th. There are going to be 2 timeslots available (morning and evening), to accommodate everyone. If you live in the area, please contact me if you are interested in purchasing a ticket and I’ll get you connected. Tickets will go on sale at a later date and will be $20 and as mentioned, all the money will go directly to these fine missionaries. I would love for you ladies to bring your friends along too, we hope to sell a lot of tickets. So, please start spreading the word to church friends, neighbors, club members, and your girlfriends, if you live in the area.
Hope you’ll come out and see this house all decked out for Christmas. I hope to be there that day too and we can chat with everyone coming through.
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve never heard of anything like this before, I don’t think we have anything like it here in the UK. I just love the idea though, what fun!
Oh my goodness though how absolutely beautiful is that home? It is so wonderful.
I hope you have lots of fun decorating & I can’t wait to see some photos of the day.
love
Alison
x
Wow! I can tell already that it will just be fabulous! We are in Birmingham often to visit family…it’s just a couple hour drive from here, so that may have to be a get-away weekend! I hope that you will keep us posted on it all. I look forward to seeing what it looks like decked out for the holidays!
Will you be hitting the “longest yardsale” trail this weekend? We leave tomorrow for what is sure to be a big adventure!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Jennifer
How fun! Maybe I can talk my sister into coming with me since we are fellow ‘Ham girls! I love Christmas and getting new ideas!
Wow, that is one beautiful home. It is amazing. I can’t wait to see it decorated for the holidays. I know you will do a great job, and I look forward to using some of the decorating ideas for my Christmas too.
Rhoda, what a gorgeous home! But the best part is her kind and giving heart! I do hope you’ll at least post the room you decorate for Christmas for all of us out-of-towners! Linda
What an amazing house. You will certainly enjoy decorating that beautiful home for a wonderful cause.
I love Christmas and decorating for it. I really wish I could attend. Our home was photographed last January for a local magazine. It will be featured for Dec 2009 with it decorated for the holidays. Our home is certainly not as grand, but they all are with the Christmas finery.
Have fun!
Debra
I too would be slightly distracted attending a bible study in that home. I’d have to say a little prayer for strength on the drive over! I love Christmas and especially love going on tours of decorated homes.
Have a wonderful day!
Nola@The Bloom Girls
An absolutely gorgeous home and I can’t wait to see what Christmas magic you come up with!!
This home is gorgeous, Rhoda. You are going to have so much fun with this!
Though time consuming and a tad tiring, our Christmas open house, is something we remember fondly. Ours benefited scholarships, sponsored by the local federated garden club. We were asked to do it again, last year!!
Well, it is big. Plently of room to do something great. Cannot wait to see…
That will be so much fun, Rhoda!
I hope you have a fabulous turnout!
We are just trying to raise enough to get Mikey to El Salvadore for a week and it isn’t cheap. He gets to
go on a medical mission trip with his Grandma.
I can’t imagine living without fresh drinking water.
Makes me glad God has called wonderful people
to help drill wells and make others lives healthier and
happier.
Blessings!
Becky K.
Hospitality Lane
Oh, I can see how it would be hard to keep your mind on anything besides looking around at all the awesomeness! I think it’s so wonderful when people share time and money for a good cause! Thank you for reminding us today what like is really all about! Beautiful. . .
That is a truly lovely home, and I am happy to know that people who love Jesus live there! As someone who works for a missions organization, I am so proud of y’all for putting such hard work into supporting the Lord’s work. I live in Canada so won’t be able to visit, but I trust you’ll take lots of pictures, right??!!
-Nicole
I don’t think I could do anything at that house. I would be too busy walking around with my mouth hanging open. That house is gorgeous! How lucky for you to be involved in such a good cause.
What fun! You are going to have a great time, and I can’t wait to see what you do.
There is a similar Open House event in my town…in the area they usually refer to as Olde Towne. Many of the homes date back to the Civil War and older (Revolutionary War!). They call it the Candlelight Tour; and for a weekend, you can tour the homes that are open. The decorations are supposed to be amazing.
My ballet company used to provide the entertainment on one of the streets for the people waiting to get into the homes. 
OH, Rhoda! What a beautiful home of your friend and I’m glad you’ll be helping with the wonderful event! I’m sure Jesus was just a smiling too as he looked around and saw so many enjoying the pretty home!
Now that kitchen is so totally gorgeous! Lucky you getting to spiff the rooms for her.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
wow, the Lord has sure blessed her! great opportunity for you also.
Wow!! What a gorgeous home!! I would be SO excited to be a part of this wonderful decorating team — and it benefits such an amazing cause!! Well done on all of your dedication to helping these non-profits prosper and continue their missions.
Good luck on the decorating!! I hope you’ll share some photos with those of us who are too far away to join in on the festivities.
*gulp* what an amazing home! I can only imagine how amazing it will be all gussied up for Christmas! you HAVE to post pics when its done.
OOLALA, what at beautiful house. I want to visit this house!! Can’t wait to see it all decorated for Christmas. Looks like you have a big job on your hands, but I know you will enjoy. Marla
I think I’ll come up for this but when on the tour, I might not leave! What a beautiful home.
Gorgeous home, Rhoda! I’m sure you will all have a ball decorating it for Christmas. It looks like a villa in Europe somewhere! I must say that not only is it beautifully decorated, but it does not give off a “hands off” feel ~ it looks lived in and loved. All too often large homes come across as museums. I think I’ve mentioned before that I am a bunny collector myself, and am always happy to see there are others!
What a gorgeous home. I can hardly wait to see all the gorgeous decorations. Hugs, Marty
I can see why you gasped! Gorgeous….and it will be even more so decorated for the holidays! I hope it is very successful!
~Patti
Breathtaking is the word! Wow! What a gorgeous home! I would love to see it all decorated for Christmas if I was in your area. I can’t wait to see the Christmas photos.
Oh, how I would LOVE to come to that….that house is amazing……I bet it will be gorgeous!
Suzanne
Holy Cow, Rhoda! How fun will that be?! I wish I lived nearby so I could see it in person, but I know you’ll post it, right?
And, btw, her “bistro” kichen looks to be about the same size as my one and only kitchen!
Oh, that house is divine! I can hardly wait to see what all y’all do!
Rhoda: This house is gorgeous and I know you will make it even more so for Christmas!! I will definitely plan on attending! Love the pool and lake area! And the windows!!
(sigh)
I will also be doing the yardsale on Friday. My husband is going with me, as none of my friends love to do this as much as me!!
I will look for you! A pretty blond with a camera!!
Lou Cinda
Now THAT would be a ton of FUN! What a fantastic idea. Can’t wait to see your blogs on that whole project
An absolutely beautiful home. Cannot wait to see what you do with ‘your’ part of the home.
Blessings today and always,
Kaye
Matthew 21:22
Hey, Rhoda! THis home is simply gorgeous!! Wow! ANd how fun to be able to decorate for Christmas. This is a wonderful project, and I can’t wait to see more!!
Hugs!
Susan
Wow, wow, wow! That house is incredible. And you’re so lucky to have been picked to participate in doing the Christmas decorations. I know you’ll do a fine job and can’t wait to see your results. We always go to Homearamas in our area to get to see inside some beautiful houses, but I’ve always really wanted to tour some homes all dressed up for the holidays. They do those in our area too.
Rhonda!
Send me to info of the Decorator Holiday House and I will help spread the work in the HAM!
Rachel
Oh my goodness! You are a lucky gal! Sounds like so much fun
The entry way reminds me a bit of the house/mansion/estate on Sound of Music…where you walk in and either go up the stairs to rooms, or down the stairs into the large foyer. Just gorgeous!
Oooh, I wish I could attend. Seeing your decorating magic through your blog is fun, but seeing it in person would be better.
Wow! Those are some serious halls to deck with boughs of holly! And I think I spy some Mardi Gras supplies in the kitchen…perhaps we’ll get a peek of Carnival Christmas?
This project sounds like great, great fun. Wish I could attend in person.
p.s. Read your comment on my blog (thanks!) — can you please send Grandma Eleanor to me when you’re finished?
Rhoda, you have me drooling over here!
Wow , what a house!!
that backyard could conjure up many paintings for me. Just beautifull.
They are very very blessed to be living there.
I know you’ll do a super job on the decorations.
(are we talking about christmas- im fuzzy- still drooling over theses pics)
Hi Rhoda
Your friend has a beautiful home! That view is amazing. I love the area you’re going to decorate for Christmas too. I can only imagine how cozy it will be
xoxo,
rue
Gorgeous house! I bet you cant wait to decorate! That would be an awesome experience…enjoy it! Cant wait to see what you come up with! ~Cindy~
Oh my gosh, what a house!! It’s too pretty to live in.
What a stunning home!!! I wish I lived close enough to visit. I bet it will look incredible all decked out for the holidays.
What a cool idea! I love this–a fun project that you’ll all enjoy working on, a wonderful Christmas Open House, and money for missions. A win-win-win!
Girlfriend, if you can’t decorate that fun little den area, no one can. I think you’re up to the challenge!
What an amazing canvas to work with… and for such a good cause. Bless you for being a part of this. I cannot wait to see the final showcase !
Kate
You know I will have to come up there and see this house now in Nov….beautiful!!! Im packed and ready. see you soon~
Can’t wait to see this!!! Let me know when the tickets are on sale.
Hi Rhoda
What a beautiful house! I’m sure it will be so exciting to decorate for Christmas in such wonderful rooms for such a good cause. I look forward to seeing it on your blog!
Rhoda, OMG what a beautiful home and I can’t wait to see the pictures after you have decorated it for Christmas. I do wonder how you will get 25 ladies to agree and how to deocorate together…that should be fun.
Thanks for taking me on the tour,
Barbara
What a fabulous home! I am dying to see how it looks all decked out for the holidays! I hope you can post pictures, because I am too far away to visit in person.
Jane
Wow, What a house, what an honor to be asked to be part
of something so special. I will have to keep this on my list
and try and come.