General Tour
Friday, December 6 &
Saturday, December 7, 2024
9:30 am - 4:30 pm
$45 early bird | $52.50 as of November 08, 2024
Your general ticket is good for both days – Friday and Saturday. *Eventbrite fees apply.
If you like interior design, architecture, and seasonal decorations, the annual Niagara-on-the-Lake Rotary Holiday House Tour is for you. Tour 6 gorgeous, beautifully decorated homes; visit local historic and cultural sites; sample complimentary tastings from 3 featured wineries and a winery/distillery; and enjoy specially priced luncheons for attendees as well! And all the profits go to charitable causes.
House 1: The Cedar House
Decorator:
Gauld Nurseries
Joanne Young
Elaine Bartolini
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Presented by:
Gatta Homes
​The Fine Estates Team
Peninsula Flooring
This is a home that celebrates art, originality, and family. Their stunning property reaches back into nature, with tall evergreens and a lush green meadow that is home to a perfectly adorable bunkie, and a pool that rivals Versailles with its elegant symmetry. The pleasing nature of design is echoed throughout this eclectic home, seen in the astonishingly original decor and furniture pieces that have been reclaimed, repurposed, and reused. Many are family heirlooms, such as the bow-front vintage curio cabinet, or the beautifully preserved pine fireplace, or the 200-year-old Harvest table planks, artfully repurposed and reused throughout the home. But it is their collection of art, celebrating international, Canadian, and local artists, as well as their own family photo galleries, that lend such personality to this home.
Gauld Nurseries and Joanne Young, Garden Coach and Lake Report columnist, have teamed up with decorator, Elaine Bartolini, to bring this country home to life. The living and dining rooms are adorned with an abundance of pinecones, scented greens, cherished heirloom crystal and china. The great room is filled with handmade ornaments, twinkling curly willow and cascading greenery.
House 2: BlueGate
Decorator:
Homeowners, Joe Carlino & Steve Cohen
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Presented by:
St. David's Veterinary Clinic
Desjardins Insurance, Travis Cairns
Niagara-on-the-Lake Realty
BlueGate is an ‘upside-down’ house with the living space on the ground floor and the sleeping quarters below. It was their Mennonite builder’s design that allowed the owners to create ‘a house of windows’ with soaring dormered ceilings, 9-foot doorways and an 18-foot, hand-cut stone fireplace. The unique layout of the kitchen comes from the chef – in the family’s wish to cook without getting in anyone’s way. ‘Joe’s room’ is the result – a perfectly curated cooking space with everything he needs right at his fingertips. In 2017, BlueGate was awarded ‘Best Compatible Design’ for the new home that best fits into its historic surroundings.
Joe Carlino has worked with some of the world’s most cutting-edge luxury retail icons – Neiman Marcus, Saks, and Holt Renfrew, to name a few. From the outdoor style of LA to the Mies van der Rohe influence of his Chicago home, these brands have helped to form the unique style Joe is known for today – the culmination of a life well lived.
House 3: Lakeview
Decorator: Sprague Interiors Inc.
Willow Cakes Magical Pastry Arts Display
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Presented by: : 124 on Queen Hotel and Spa
This home has a quiet and splendid presence amid the surrounding streetscape overlooking Lake Ontario. The task of caring for the landscaped grounds was given to Shirley and Finn Madsen. Their work is key because the owners feel the exterior conveys just as much as the interior. Once inside, a display of traditional and modern characterizes this 30-year-old home, with its superb cascading staircase, vaulted ceilings, and open entertaining-style kitchen. And then it wraps around you with a canopied courtyard, creating a perfect oasis. Termed a ‘Florida’ design, the oasis features a pool, a three-season cabana, and a woodburning fireplace, surrounded by 30-year-old trees. But perhaps the anchor to this home is a portrait of the owner’s great grandmother, painted by well-known Canadian artist, George Reid, who gave it to her in exchange for lodgings in 1880. It truly reflects the love in this home.
Sprague Interiors Inc. is spreading holiday cheer with oodles of fresh greenery mixed with rich blues and warm winter whites, all aglow with delicate, twinkling lights. The design team is partnering with Willow Cakes to transform this already stunning home into a cozy, festive dreamland full of warmth and elevated style!
House 4: Somerset
Somerset is situated on the original site of the Queen’s Royal Hotel, built in 1868, and known as one of the most fabulous hotels in North America. The hotel attracted wealthy tourists from Canada, United States and abroad, and was the site of many social gatherings, international sporting events, and luxurious recreation. The Queen’s Royal Hotel was demolished in 1930 when tourism in the area declined. In 1988, the site was purchased by the previous owners of the Prince of Wales Hotel, to host their most premier guests, and after selling the hotel in 2000, the house remained in the family. Recently renovated, Somerset has three deluxe guest suites, each with private terraces that enjoy spectacular views of Lake Ontario, the United States and Toronto. Continuing the tradition of exquisite accommodation, Somerset has become the beautiful residence you see today.
Regal Florist & Garden Centre has participated in the Holiday House Tour for 25 years. We create unique designs that reflect the style of the homeowners while preserving the integrity of their home. Our original plans often take a surprise direction as we experience the unique personality of the home.
House 5: Royal Manor Inn
From the moment you walk into this beautifully restored 200-year-old heritage home, once a thriving tavern, you will have a guest experience like no other. You are immediately surrounded by the vitality and originality of art, design, balance, and harmony. Preserved hardwood floors and millwork, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, plus five unique bedrooms, all guarantee that old-world charm meets new-world modernity. Find original etchings by the master of Surrealism, Salvador Dali; airbrush art by the Peruvian-American artist, Alberto Vargas, or the bright landscapes of post-war Dutch contemporary artist, Ton Schulten. Custom-made furniture from Turkey is perfectly coordinated with artwork to complement the decor. This fusion of traditional and modern is the theme, with its wraparound verandah, all-season patio, and Koi pond – here, history truly meets luxury.
Garden Club of Niagara: The colourful eclectic decor of this period home will be complemented by displays of modern and contemporary designs using fresh florals in a festive manner.
House 6: Riverview
There are homes that gently lead you into their splendour. This is one of those. From its cultured landscaped driveway, the doors open and you are in a home that will hold you in its serenity and romance, blending classic design and modern amenities. A stunning marble foyer complements the magnificent Great Room, with its cathedral ceiling, limestone fireplace, cosy sitting room and den, and walk-in wine cellar. The dining room seats 14 guests, beneath the grandeur of double chandeliers, and the kitchen offers its own hub for socializing with a U-shaped island, seating six. Beyond the spiral staircase and glass elevator, all this elegance leads to an outdoor stone patio, with a fireplace, TV, and L-shaped infinity pool, tiered down to Lake Ontario and a private boat dock. From here, sunrise and sunset views are glorious and spectacular. And so is this home.
Renowned for her legendary Christmas decorations, Brenda McArthur and her team are expected to outdo themselves again this year. Elegant silver decorations with pale blue accents will set the mood, as trees and garlands studded with sparkling ornaments are sure to steal the holiday show.
