I was privileged to see the home early and have a private tour from the St. Margaret’s Guild Chairperson, Sue Roper. Sue really knows her stuff—not just the history of the house, which is fascinating, but the decorators and all the work that has gone into making this, in my opinion their best home tour to date. I’ve been going on these tours well over 15 years and this one tops them all. The character of the house shines with it’s beautiful hardwood floors, woodwork, beamed ceilings and the exquisite stained glass windows.
There is a fireplace in the front parlor that is gorgeous and the designer Audrey Studley (Kittle’s Studio) found an intricate mirror that fits perfectly in the space above the mantel.
The dining room is incredible with it’s original dining room table. The gold china setting on the table has pheasants in the design and the designer used two large pheasants on the table as accents to a beautiful bouquet of peonies, which is repeated in the Douglas David oil painting of peonies on the wall. Such an eye for detail — I commend the decorator Agnes Hannah Friel (Hannah Ltd.) for a superb job.
The children’s playroom on the top floor is a must-see with it’s hot air balloons hanging from the ceiling and a mural painted across the walls. Faith Felder and Hope Harsin from Chatham Home designed this large space.
There are many rooms to see on four floors. You do 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.
I have a personal soft spot for Wishard Hospital. Fifty years ago this year my 35 year old mother was saved by the doctors at Wishard. She had the worst case of hepatitis they’d ever seen. She was in isolation for 6 weeks and then 6 months later for another 7 weeks. 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!
