I was privileged to see the home early and had a private tour from the St. Margaret’s Guild member Joyce Reynolds. Joyce was so knowledgeable about all the details of the house and she knew all the designers and all the work that has gone into making this, in my opinion, one of the best home tours anywhere. I’ve been going on these tours well over 15 years and this house you could actually see myself living in. There are so many cozy spots in the home. The home is so warm and inviting and the designers have really done an outstanding job.
The living room has a magnificent bonze statue by local artist Matt Davey, whose other works I’ve seen at the Circle City Artist Complex (on Brookside Ave.) on First Fridays. He is an incredible artist. On the mantle there is a 20th century men’s shirt made of beaten bark. It is from the Pygmy culture of the Democratic Republic of Congo — so cool. The room has a modern artistic vibe — I really liked it.
The color theme this year seems to be many, many shades of gray (but not 50 shades) with vibrant accent colors. The kitchen has gorgeous Amish custom cabinets. Upstairs in the “Young Gent’s Bedroom” is a beautiful oil painting “Hemingway’s Hats (Young Love)” created just for the Home Tour by local artist Rita Spalding. The master bath is incredible, the marble and tile work is beautiful and the closet with it’s huge leaded window is something you’ll not soon forget.
There are so many rooms to see on four floors and outside gardens. You get to vote for your favorite and I have a dozen favorites, so I’ll never be able to decide.
This tour would make a perfect Mother’s Day gift, so start a tradition and take your Mom or grandmother, aunt or daughter.
I have a personal soft spot for Eskenazi Hospital (originally Wishard). Over fifty years ago my 35 year old mother was saved by the doctors at Eskenazi. She had the worst case of hepatitis they’d ever seen. She was in isolation for 13 weeks that year. They used new medications not yet on the market and she lived another 35 years.
If you’ve never been on this Home Tour, then this is a great one to start with and you’ll come back every year!