Designers compete in Duncan Hall decorations
By DOROTHY SCHNEIDER
dschneider@journalandcourier.com
Duncan Hall is getting a little holiday cheer.
On the eve of the annual "Dickens of a
Christmas" event, five local design teams will give a seasonal
makeover to five rooms in the downtown hall. The overall design
theme will be "Revisiting Christmas Days Past," but each designer
will personalize their space.
On Dec. 1, Duncan Hall will be open during the all-day "Dickens"
event so the public can view the designers' work.
"You can't beat the holidays (for decorating) because of the
colors and the things you can do," said Jan Wright, owner of 1st
Class Clutter and Sweet Lily Designs, who will work with Jayne
McCliment to decorate the Victorian
Tea Room.
Through December, locals will be invited to vote for their
favorite room design at Duncan Hall and the winning designers will
be awarded the use of the entire hall to host a fundraising event
for the not-for-profit organization of their choice.
In the foyer and landing, Bertie Buchanan and Barbara Lauer of
Buchanan Designs will be decorating for the American
Heart Association.
Lauer said their design will be simple and incorporate many
natural elements, such as wreaths, fruit and
flowers. "It will be similar to what you may have seen there
when Duncan Hall was originally opened," she said.
In the Thomas Duncan Room, Stephen Clawson of Roth's Flowers
will be decorating for the Alzheimer's Association of Greater
Indiana.
Because the room is very traditional, with dark oak walls,
Clawson plans to use a lot of Christmas garlands and candles in his
design.
In the Gertrude Shambaugh Room, Anne Brooks and MaDonna Compton
of Butternut Hill will be decorating for the Lafayette Crisis
Center.
Brooks said they will
create "A Very Jolly Tea" in the room, incorporating many
elements of Victorian England.
"This is an opportunity to do something for the community and we
don't always get an opportunity to do that," Brooks said. "(This
room) has a classic, comfort feel of yesterday. ... It will shine
during the holiday season.
In the Victorian Tea Room, Jan Wright and Jayne McCliment of 1st
Class Clutter and Sweet Lily Designs will be decorating for the
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Wright plans to create a decorative table spread with a French
country feel. She wants to incorporate a lot of berries, feathers
and flowers into the design.
"When we get done, we're hoping for a cozy dining area look where
anyone would enjoy sitting down for Christmas dinner," Wright said.
On the stage in the Grand Ballroom, Vanessa PeGan of the
Mainstreet Mercantile will be decorating for the Salvation Army.
Finally, even though she won't be part of the competition, Judy
Benedict will be decorating the exterior of the building in a fresh,
holiday style.
Benedict, a Duncan Hall board member and special project
chairwoman, plans to use large pine cones, wreaths and fruit to
adorn the hall's doors and planters.
