Creating Spaces Ever since receiving a degree in interior design, I have been helping people enjoy their homes by designing spaces they love that works for their family. Though I have always loved working with clients and helping them create their vision of home, my dream has always been to own my own home décor store. I love interacting with my customers and helping them create a home that they love.

When it comes to holiday decorating, few of us can resist going all out and dressing our homes in grand style. We unabashedly pull out all the stops—no corner is left untouched, and every square inch is decked with meaningful heirloom trinkets, dazzling ornaments, fresh garlands and glamorous sparkle.

Ladue homeowner Judy Dude had only six weeks to prepare for the 2021 Deck the Halls of Glennon Homes holiday tour. But she didn’t stress. “I just accelerated what I do every year,” she explains. “It really was just a matter of welcoming everyone into our home since we already decorate lots every Christmas.”

Each year when they visit for Thanksgiving, Liz Mantych’s four adult kids go into the attic of her Town and Country home to help her set up Christmas trees. “The attic ladder comes down, and it’s kind of a three-person job,” she says. “There’s a person on the top of the ladder, on the ladder and on the floor. It’s craziness. Every year I think, ‘Maybe I won’t do this next year,’ but then next year comes around.”

With both adult daughters out of the house, Susan and Scott Hunt look forward to the holiday season as a way to get some much-needed family time. The big yearly event, Susan notes, is daughter Holly’s annual “Day Before the Night Before Christmas” party, where the girls and their friends all gather at the Hunt household like they did when they were teenagers. “It’s so nice to have the girls home and to see all their old friends,” Susan says. “A good time is had by all! That’s the holiday tradition we look forward to most every year.”

A Little Extra Sparkle, Design by Forshaw of St. Louis: This glitzy forest place setting doesn’t shy away from sparkle! A white, gray-rimmed dinner plate and 8-inch driftwood plate sit on a gold monstera leaf placemat. A leaf with gold accents act as the name card. To make the setting shine, an elaborate centerpiece adorns the table. The wooden lantern with electric flame candle add height and various sparkling greenery add substance. Large, blue-green flowers with golden sparkles accompany the lantern with faux branches complete with blue buds and sparkling berries.