The Magic of Giving
Photography Sandy MacKay
A gentle snowfall greeted more than 1,000 people as they made their way to the Toronto Ski Club for the annual Royal LePage Locations North Collingwood Holiday House Tour. This 2018 one-day event featured six beautifully decorated homes, celebrity designer Jo Alcorn, holiday shopping, a greenery demonstration and fashion show. The event raised more than $33,800, with proceeds going to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, Thornbury-Clarksburg Rotary Club, Hospice Georgian Triangle, the emergency department at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, E3 Community Services and Collingwood Basketeers. OUR HOMES is a proud partner and sponsor of this incredible day that kicks off the festive season.
As visitors approached this Fan Favourite home and stepped through the front door, the scene was set for Tricia Jeffery’s interpretation of old-fashioned Christmas. The spirit of Christmas, the smell of baking cookies and eggnog, filled this home. Every room was decorated. Family heirlooms, furs, antlers, Santas, lights, quilts and a giant Christmas tree in the front foyer charmed all who toured this magical home.
This cosy log home, steps from the shores of Georgian Bay, inspired Pamela McIntyre to create a different theme for each level. On the main floor, rustic charm influenced a nod to nostalgia with a roaring fire, beautiful tree, flickering candles and a deep sofa for curling up in on Christmas morning. Heading up the garland-draped staircase to the upper level, the mood changed to a glamorous, formal country setting. Decorations included white poinsettias, roses, warm woollen throws and a floor-to-ceiling tree wrapped with white lights, gold ribbon and hundreds of gold ornaments. The gold theme carried to the dining table, set for the evening meal with gold chargers and crystal.
Brittany Steptoe-Wright and Ashley Kimmel transported this stone home in Lora Bay to the faraway Scottish Highlands. Urns overflowing with greenery flanked either side of the front door, with a tartan-covered bench nearby. Warm vegan furs and tartan throws in each room were accompanied by candle flames dancing throughout the home. Two majestic trees, blazing brightly with lights, stood in the living room. Another tree in the dining room welcomed a night of food and good cheer, the kitchen island laden with holiday treats. The master bedroom featured a fourth tree, decorated with winter woodland creatures. In the backyard, visitors found a firepit surrounded by chairs – an invitation to sit and enjoy the warmth of this home a little longer.
Catherine Staples found inspiration in four themes to decorate this home just outside of Collingwood: coastal, beach house, cottage and charming – a perfect theme for holidays on Southern Georgian Bay. Catherine created an airy, warm and playful design in every room. Rob Street of Street’s Flowers added restrained touches of sophisticated greenery to complement the décor inside and out.
A tinsel-covered, star-topped tree was the showstopper at this Collingwoodlands home. Katherine created a sophisticated, warm, welcoming feel, decorated for family and visitors. Twinkly lights added brightness and warmth to mantels, shelves and stairs to the second level. Heidi Ehlers of GREEN LOVE created the greenery and arrangements throughout the home, including the dining room table’s gorgeous centrepiece.
The signature styling of Herma Vegter-Petrie perfectly suited this Collingwood home. The white walls of the open, airy spaces dramatically framed the lush greenery, which hung from pendant lights and cascaded up the stairway. Greens and flowers intertwined with bare vine, adding an additional textural element to the simple, artful arrangements. OH
