Junior League's Fall Home Tour provides sneak peek into some of Springfield's best homes
On most days, it's unacceptable to just waltz into some of Springfield's most beautiful homes, but next month, folks will have that opportunity.
The Junior League of Springfield is gearing up for its 10th annual Fall Home Tour, which serves as a fundraiser for the organization. This year's tour features five homes, four in Springfield and one in Ozark, all designed by Ellecor Interior Design.
The Fall Home Tour is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. Participants may tour all five homes, learning about each home's history, architecture and interior design. General admission tickets are $40 per person and VIP tickets are $70 per person. Tickets can be purchased on the Junior League of Springfield website at jlspringfield.org/support/fallhometour/.
Only VIP ticketholders will be able to visit the home in Ozark, where a special breakfast prepared by chef Sarah Kraber will be served, starting at 9 a.m. Brick and Mortar Coffee will provide caffeinated drinks and Price Cutter will be serving a Bloody Mary and mimosa bar. Springfield-based artist Ursula Wollenberg will also be live painting at the Ozark home.
Junior League of Springfield vice president of finance Heather Trinca said the organization hopes to raise about $30,000 through the Fall Home Tour. The funds will benefit the organization's community projects, including initiatives focused on child abuse and neglect and programs that provide resources to underserved women and children, according to a Junior League of Springfield news release.
How does the tour work?
The Fall Home Tour is self-led, meaning ticketholders may come and go to any of the houses as they please. The four Springfield homes are spread across town, with two in the Rountree neighborhood, one near the Hickory Hills Country Club and another near Oak Grove Heights. Participants should be prepared to drive to each of the houses.
Trinca said the organization expects about 300 participants. To avoid crowded homes, ticketholders will be organized into different groups, based on when they purchased tickets. Each group will receive a recommended order of the homes to visit so foot traffic moves efficiently. Ticketholders will also receive interactive maps, which pair with Google Maps.
Each of the homes will feature refreshments and live entertainment, including live music from the Sydadre Band and The Henderson Kids. Finger foods and drinks from businesses like Nothing Bundt Cakes, The Peaceful Baker, 4 By 4 Brewing Company and Cellar + Plate will be spread throughout the homes.
Ellecor Interior Design celebrates 10th anniversary
The "criteria" for being featured in the Junior League of Springfield's Fall Home Tour changes from year to year. Trinca said in the past, the organization has highlighted different neighborhoods, asking if residents would be interested in opening their homes to the public. This year, the five homes — three remodels and two new constructions — were designed entirely be Ellecor Interior Design.
Located on Pickwick Avenue in the Rountree Neighborhood, Ellecor Interior Design is owned by Haden Long, who holds a bachelor's degree in interior design from Missouri State University.
Long said she enjoys working in a variety of styles and believes the Fall Home Tour represents a "nice mix" of homes that showcase different personalities, which is a goal in all of her work.
"I would rather somebody look at it (a home designed by Ellecor) and not necessarily know that we did it because it should be a reflection of them (the homeowners), not me," Long said.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Junior League will showcase 5 Springfield homes for Fall Home Tour
