Allerton House shows off the work of local designers, florists

by Julie Westfall
Daily Illini reporter

Allerton House is decking its halls to support the preservation of its most prized landmark.

The fourth annual Allerton House Holiday Showcase opened Saturday after four days of feverish preparation by local interior designers, florists and artists. The last showing will be today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tamzin Holman, Allerton Park and Conference Center outreach associate and head of the showcase, said 13 designers participated in the project for free. The eight participating artists were required to pay a fee to show their work.

For an $8 entrance fee, visitors can tour the house’s rooms, where each designer and decorator takes a room to display their work.

"The designers take a space and show off products which they show in their store if they have one," Holman said.

The items used to furnish and decorate the rooms are usually for sale and most of the rooms incorporate some holiday decorating.

"We asked them to do it in a holiday theme and it’s definitely in the holiday spirit, but every design base is entirely different," Holman said.

Visitors get a program at the door which gives information on every designer, decorator and artist as well as a history of the house. A movie, Oasis on the Prairie, about the history of Allerton Park, is also being shown.

The house also features a 12-foot Christmas tree in the main entrance gallery. According to Holman, it took four people 11 hours to decorate the tree which is valued at $100,000.

After viewing the house, visitors can take a carriage ride to the visitor’s center. At the center, a Christmas tree decorated by University horticulture students is on display along with the work of five artists. Pottery demonstrations are also being done.