Stunning homes, festive seasonal decor, beautiful floral decorations: The annual Homes for the Holidays tour offers a trio of goodies to inspire you as we move toward the holiday season.
Held over three days in November and offering seven homes this year to visit — plus a bonus Pop-Up Shop — the tour showcases homes from Rockcliffe to Manotick that are expertly styled by top florists in conjunction with the homeowners’ holiday decorations to help you get your own creative juices flowing. This year’s tour runs Friday, Nov. 13, to Sunday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We have an eclectic group of homes that are old and new and big and small throughout the city,” says Sharen Findlay, a tour volunteer who helps organize the floral partners.
Now in its 24th year, Homes for the Holidays is a major fundraiser for Hospice Care Ottawa, which provides end-of-life care and services, at no charge, to those living with a life-limiting illness and their families. Since its inception in 2003, the tour has raised more than $2.9 million to help with Hospice Care’s operating costs.
“This incredible achievement is thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, the generosity of our sponsors and the enthusiasm of the thousands of visitors who purchase tickets and come out to enjoy the tour each year,” says Taylor Mueller, director of fund development and communications for Hospice Care Ottawa. This year’s goal is to raise more than $100,000.
“It’s a really lovely way to support Hospice Care Ottawa and see some pretty beautiful homes,” says Sharon Lalonde, another tour volunteer and past co-chair who helps organize the homes that will be on the tour.
Adds Findlay: “To me, it’s the feeling of going around on the tour and … the camaraderie with other people looking to start their holiday season off. It’s just a really nice feeling.”
Early-bird tickets are $55 if purchased by Oct. 31. After that they jump to $65.
This year’s homes
Civic Hospital
While this is a new infill home, its exterior is influenced by the character of the 1940s homes that surround it. Inside, a focal point is the sweeping central staircase — the perfect backdrop for festive holiday decorations.
Other features include an open-concept layout that connects a spacious formal dining room to a bright, expansive great room, which opens directly onto a large covered patio. This home is designed for effortless entertaining.
“This is a real family home,” says Lalonde. Decorating will be a combination of the homeowners’ holiday decor and the efforts of Flowers Talk Tivoli, which has participated in the tour since it started.
Rockcliffe Park
An 18-foot, light-filled foyer sets the tone in this home built by Terra Nova Building Corp. Other features include a sun-filled living room anchored by a gas fireplace with a striking black granite surround, a grand piano that becomes the gathering spot over the holidays, and a high-end kitchen in quartz overlooking the garden.
“There’s a lot of warmth and homey-ness in that home,” says Findlay.
Mood Moss Flowers will provide floral arrangements.
“Rockcliffe is always a draw,” adds Lalonde. “Once this is decorated, it’s going to be one of those really special ones in Rockcliffe again.”
Alta Vista
This circa 1950s bungalow recently underwent a transformation, expanding from a modest 1,500 square feet of closed-off rooms into a spacious 3,000-square-foot, open-concept home. A goal of the year-long remodel was to focus on the beautiful gardens front and rear. As a result, it now includes plenty of windows and a horseshoe courtyard feel.
“It’s very modern, very beautiful,” says Lalonde.
Planted Arrow Flowers & Gifts from Winchester is decorating this home and the owner is aiming to have a 12-foot tree in the living room, Lalonde adds.
The Glebe #1
This charming early 20th-century home showcases the Craftsman era, with renovations over the years — including a two-storey addition at the rear — that respect the home’s architectural roots.
Features include generous ceiling heights and expansive windows that bring in an abundance of natural light and original details such as substantial solid-wood baseboards, classic crown mouldings, Carrera marble and traditional oak hardwood floors. Ottawa artists are featured throughout.
Lalonde also points to the backyard, where a change in elevation and a thicket of trees separating the home from its rear neighbour create an unexpected treat. “It has almost a rock face behind their house, which is lovely and very private.”
Capital Florist is preparing the florals for this home.
The Glebe #2
A two-phase renovation in the past decade has nearly doubled the footprint of this 1929 home while carefully blending its historic character with thoughtful modern design.
The renovation reimagined the home for contemporary living, with expanded living spaces, a spacious new kitchen, updated upper floors and a seamless flow throughout. Expect to see a lot of artwork, says Lalonde.
“It’s still true to the history of the home with a modern feel,” adds Findlay.
This home will be decorated by Stoneblossom Floral Gallery.
Golden Triangle
Steps from the Rideau Canal and set on a secluded street among mature trees, this is a distinctive urban home with European-inspired character boasting high ceilings, large windows and open-concept living spaces that provide a beautiful backdrop for holiday displays.
For more than 40 years, the owner has gathered distinctive holiday treasures that fill a storage room and help transform the home inside and out for Christmas. At the heart of the display is a spectacular Christmas tree adorned with more than 700 ornaments.
“It’s decor that’s out of this world,” says Lalonde. “We are not using a florist in this one because the homeowner has so many decorations that it fills the whole house… She absolutely loves Christmas.”
Manotick
This custom-built stone home on an estate lot in Manotick showcases craftsmanship. A highlight is a 20-foot, floor-to-ceiling window that offers an uninterrupted view of the surrounding forest. Architectural details flourish, including elegant custom mouldings, columns, grand light fixtures, marble and porcelain flooring, oak doors and floors, an arresting 20-foot limestone fireplace, and intricate wood-inlay accents that frame the two staircases.
The home was first on the Homes for the Holidays tour when it had to shift to virtual viewing during the pandemic. “We went back to them because it was such a spectacular house that we really wanted people to see inside,” says Lalonde. “We’re happy to have that house back on the tour.”
Mill Street Florist, which traditionally decorates Manotick-area homes on the tour, is back for this one.
Don’t forget the Pop-Up Shop
The unofficial eighth stop on the tour is the Pop-Up Shop of handcrafted gifts, seasonal items and foodstuffs to help you get ready for the holiday season. This year it is being held at Capital Funeral Home & Cemetery on Prince of Wales Drive.
The Pop-Up Shop has slightly different hours than the home tour hours, running 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday (with a Sip & Shop event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and then on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Pop-Up Shop is not open on Sunday.
“Expect a festive shopping experience featuring more than 15 local artisans, makers and small businesses, all gathered under one roof,” says Mueller. “From handcrafted gifts and beautiful home decor to jewelry, art, delicious treats and unique holiday treasures, there will be something for everyone on your list.”
The Friday night Sip & Shop offers “a festive night out with shopping, drinks and plenty of holiday cheer,” she says. “It’s a chance to browse the vendors, discover something special, socialize with friends and get into the spirit of the season.”
To purchase tickets for this year’s Homes for the Holidays tour, visit the tour website.
