MILTON When you walk into Matt and Krissy Hemenways home at 153 E. Sunset Drive and see a metallic bronze-painted door ahead of you beside the staircase, you might think Krissy Hemenway grabbed a can of paint and took Christmas decorating to a whole new level.
After all, the shiny bronze door blends beautifully with the clean, neutral tones of the creamy white Christmas trees on a nearby coffee table, which itself is covered in a shaggy cream-colored cloth.
But no, Hemenway painted the door a few years ago, just to see how it would look. She likes sparkles and shiny things, so the door remained metallic bronze.
The Hemenway home will be on display during the Milton Area Chamber of Commerces Christmas House Walk, from 2-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.
Five homes are on the self-guided tour:
The Filaks: 11837 N. Old 26, Milton
The Hemenways: 153 E. Sunset Dr., Milton
The Hornacks: 5328 N. Cypress Dr., Milton
The Cullens: 4948 N. Wright Road, Janesville
The Roachs: 367 Ridge View Dr., Milton
Tickets are $15; VIP tickets are $35 and include a pre-walk party at Timber Hill Winery. Check MACC Christmas House Walk Facebook page for ticket details.
The door reflects Hemenways creative spirit as well as her approach to holiday decorating.
She likes to change things up from year to year, but also always looks to see what will work with the everyday decor she already has.
I dont want to take away my whole house, she said. So, Im like, what can work around some of my normal things?
In the dining area, which is used by the family every day, the glass chandelier over the table, and the year-round metallic decor above a buffet become part of a sparkling holiday display with the addition of a few simple Christmas items.
I tend to like more of the warmer tones, or just more of your clean linestones that go together, she said. But I do love my sparkle! I have to have sparkle somewhere!
Matt and Krissy Hemenway have four sons, three of them still living at home, and a 12-year-old daughter, Quinn. Krissy said that the boys havent really minded the sparkle that she and Quinn appreciate. We need a little hint of it here and there! she said.
The look of the Christmas tree changes each year.
It depends on the year. Sometimes it has a lot more color to it, other times, its more neutral tones, Krissy said.
The two-story home was built in 2001 and has been owned by Matt and Krissy Hemenwaysince 2014. It has an exposed basement and stands tall in the neighborhood and is wrapped with a large wooden deck. Green garlands frame the entrance. A wreath, two trees and a bench welcome their guests to the home.
Holiday gatherings are held in the lower level of the home. Here, Krissy said, greens, red and plaids dominate. Kind of what I grew up with, she said. Down there is a totally different kind of feel. Ornaments given to Krissy by her parents when she was young bring back memories. I have things from Camp Randallwe marched on Camp Randalls field. On her husbands side, an aunt would gift a special ornament to each of her nieces and nephews every year.
Krissy said that she began collecting Christmas items before she had moved out on her own.
While some of those early items have been phased out over the years, many of those ornaments and garlands are still used downstairs. She laughs when she remembers buying glass ornaments. I wasnt thinking then how glass ornaments would work. Kids? Right!
With a busy household, which includes a little herd of animals as well as five kids, its not surprising that holiday decorating happens when it happens.
She waits, though, to do the tree so that everyone can help.
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