Leaves have fallen and temperatures have dropped. It can mean only one thing.
The 2023 Christmas Fantasy House will soon be open and overflowing with holiday decor.
The 30-year holiday tradition in the greater Milwaukee area starts November 4 and will run through November 12. (closed November 8).
Gail Johnson, decorator chairperson for the event, said the home, which is owned by Alan and Laura Swan, has been turned into a Christmas wonderland by area decorators who have added the latest in holiday decor.
It has more than 9,000 square feet of living space, more than 24 rooms, an in-ground pool, and a sports court set on a large scenic lot in a cul-de-sac in Delafield.
“It’s a family home and we haven’t had that for several years. And the Swans are very excited to support the Ronald McDonald House. They believe in giving back to the community,” Johnson said.
She said the home has three flours of living space, but there is a fourth level with a basketball court and other areas for sports located under the lower level rec room.
The first floor has a large foyer, three bathrooms, his and her offices, a dining room, great room with a fireplace, a kitchen and dinette area, family room, beverage room, laundry room and mudroom.
The second floor has the primary bedroom with a bathroom and sitting room, three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a laundry room, and a room over the garage the homeowners use as a playroom/craft room.
The lower level has a rec room area, exercise room, bar, and a guest bedroom and bathroom. From this area you can look down into the sports court.
There’s also a covered porch with an outdoor TV next to an in-ground pool, a covered entryway, and two back porches that will all be decorated.
Homeowner Laura Swan said she is happy to be able to help raise money for Ronald McDonald House as it’s a charity she has done volunteer work for in the past.
“Our family is honored and humbled to host this year’s 30th anniversary Christmas Fantasy House to benefit and change lives for the families at the Ronald McDonald House. We are blessed to be able to extend our home to help these families and invite the community to join us,” she said.
She added she understands how important it is for families to have a safe place to stay under difficult circumstances, because her family was displaced from their home for a year and a half in 2013 when a fire destroyed a portion of the house and smoke destroyed the rest.
Laura is CEO for an international luxury accessories company. Alan is a pilot. They have two children: son Christian who is 15, and daughter Hannah, 13. Laura also holds the title Mrs. Lake Country 2023, she won the Mrs. Wisconsin USA title in 2020, and she will compete in the Mrs. Wisconsin US0A in 2024.
She said while she’s happy to be able to help raise money for Ronald McDonald Charities, she is also enjoying all the Christmas decorations that have been added to her home for the event.
“I decorate outside and all around the inside of the house for Christmas, but not like this. I do silver, white and red, but it’s all the same theme. Now, every room is uniquely themed and I love them all,” she said.
Nikki Bruneau, publicity chair for the event, said proceeds from the event will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin, a nonprofit that aids families with children in need of medical treatment who have to travel away from home.
She said the event is completely volunteer-run, and nearly every dollar earned goes to charity; the event has raised 3 million dollars for the American Cancer Soceity and Ronald McDonald House Charities over the past 30 years. This year there are 26 members on the committee, and an expected 650 volunteers.
In addition to the decorated rooms, guests will also be able to aid the charity by visiting a holiday boutique, sweet shop, silent auction, and by purchasing raffle tickets for a large selection of holiday baskets.
There will also be the Festival of Trees, where guests can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win decorations on one of nine trees or 20 other holiday items.
Brass and evergreen in the main bedroom
Johnson said this year the home will be done up by 18 area decorators.
Among them is Alicia Dineen, who co-owns A Conversation Piece in West Bend with her mother, Mary Windall. They decorated the home’s sitting room off the main bedroom in tones of green and brass for their theme, “Brass and Evergreen with a Velvet Flair.”
“We picked it because it’s a simple room. We wanted a blank canvas so we could bring in as much Christmas decor as we could,” Dineen said.
To decorate the room, they removed all the furniture except the TV and an ottoman, then brought in a large metal-and-wood shelving unit, which will be a focal point as it will be filled with holiday decor. They also brought in a foyer table that is accented with a large garland, Christmas trees and snowflakes.
“We took our deep green holiday pieces and our everyday brass items and put them together and are turning it into Christmas. We are filling the shelves with our favorite Christmas items for this year,” she said.
Different-sized trees also fill the room.
“We have some marble trees and glitter trees. We’re using the marble trees as bookends on the shelf. There is also a 6-feet-tall white-flocked tree decorated with deep green, brass and black ornaments along with handmade green velvet bows. She added that some other unique pieces in the room include deer made of wood or brass, and snow globes.
Bejeweled guest bedroom
Tammy Otto, decorator and owner of Tammy J Interior Design in Wauwatosa, filled the home’s lower level guest bedroom with holiday accents in jewel tones in a theme she called “Best Believe, This Room is Bejeweled,” which is a nod to Taylor Swift and her song “Bejeweled.”
“It’s a smaller room and the walls are turquoise. It’s a bright wall color so I had to think outside the box. I introduced a lot of jewel tones. I used turquoise, royal blue, purple and silver. I also added a lot of mercury glass and some faux fur,” she said.
The room’s sleigh bed is accented with a rich green linen comforter and bejeweled pillows, there are ornaments on the bed and silver wreaths over the headboard, and each nightstand has a flocked Christmas tree that’s around 5 feet tall with lights and ornaments.
“The ornaments on the trees are different sizes, colors and textures like the ornaments on the bed. They are in blues, greens, pinks, golds and silvers, and there are iridescent ornaments and disco balls. These ornaments are also sprinkled throughout the room,” she said.
She also added two royal blue velvet chairs, a small table she topped with ornaments, and decorated a large egress window.
“The window sill has all different faux fur and mercury glass Christmas trees. They are all different sizes and all different textures, but they play off the bedding and some of the ornaments on the trees. Snowflakes also hang from the window,” she said.
Snowflakes in the dining room, champagne in the bathroom
Jackie Malinowski, decorator and owner of Key Pieces in Merton, did the home’s first floor dining area in a theme she calls “Snowflakes and Silhouettes.”
“I decorated the area with elements of nature from live poplar tree trunks to mango wood snowflakes on the table. Snowflakes made from epsom salt will also shadow the walls to give the feeling of fallen snowflakes on a chilly night,” she said.
She also added a large Christmas tree that has a lush white fabric swirling through it, and ornaments in ice blue, white and frosted sage green.
Bookcases were filled with white and silver lighted ornaments and seasonal decor, she used white tulle and silver beaded strands to accent the chandelier, she added a large white shag rug, and she brought in stools with white faux fur seats.
Malinowski also decorated a nearby bathroom with the theme “Champagne and Roses.”
“The black and bronze leaf wallpaper was the inspiration to enhance the elegance of this room. The color of the year, rose pink, was incorporated to add a touch of whimsy. We decorated with bronze crowns to match the Carmencita statue that sits on the counter,” she said.
Champagne-colored fabrics, tulle, and rose faux fur rugs were added for warmth, she said, and a champagne-colored tree laced with bronze glitter was embellished with rose-colored mercury ornaments, glitter picks, berry branches and pinecones.
A Christmas tree and other holiday decor was set in the shower, and the window was draped in a champagne silk fabric and creme tulle.
A ‘Berry Velvety’ great room and tasteful outdoor decorations
Laura Goranson, decorator and owner of g.home with locations in Elm Grove and Mequon, decorated the great room in “A Berry Velvety Christmas” theme.
“The room has vaulted ceilings, a fireplace, a wall of large windows, a black grand piano and it opens to the foyer and the kitchen area.
“We used the homeowner’s 10-foot tree and brought in furniture that includes a beautiful velvet sofa in a cocoa color, and two accent chairs in a nubby soft gold boucle fabric. We added lots of lush pillows in deep reds and greens with some of those cocoa and latte colors. The tree is all of that as well, with blacks, creams, lattes, reds and greens,” she said.
There is also a large black bookcase on one wall with Christmas pieces on it that Goranson said will give the look of a family home. Feather trees top the bookcase as well as the fireplace mantle.
Chris Kujawa, owner of K.E.I. Landscape in Oak Creek, said while he does not have a specific theme he used when he decorated the front entrance, covered back porch and front yard, the look will be highly visible and welcoming.
“It’s not a theme but a tasteful mix of lights, wreaths, bows and garland,” he said.
In the front yard he added a large sleigh and reindeer.
“It’s a little vignette. It’s very simple. It’s something to set off the vision.”
Lots of lights were also added.
“The lights we like to use are icy white lights for a stately and elegant look. It doesn’t look like you are trying too hard,” he said.
Kujawa, who has participated in the Christmas Fantasy House for about five years, added that he is grateful to be part of the Ronald McDonald experience.
“I think their mission is so critical. It’s so important. We really respect what they do. It’s good for the community and it’s good for families,” he said.
If you go
What: Christmas Fantasy House
Where: In Delafield. Free shuttle service to the house will be available from the Nagawaukee Park and Ride at Highway 83 and I-94, exit 287 in Delafield. Since this is a private home, an address will not be provided for security reasons.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 4, 5, 11 and 12; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 6, 7, 9 and 10
Tickets: Advance tickets are available for $25 at participating Pick ‘n Save and Metro Market grocery stores, other outlets in southeastern Wisconsin and online at christmasfantasyhouse.com. Children 12 and under are free. Same-day tickets are $25.
Group tours: Group tours are available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 3. Reservations are required; see the website for more information on scheduling a group tour.
More information: christmasfantasyhouse.com