Jean Stoffer’s Stunning Holiday Tour of Madison House
This past weekend I got to visit Jean Stoffer’s stunning holiday tour of her Madison House in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Located in the center of the Heritage Hill historic district, it was a treat for the holiday season! I can’t wait to share all the pictures with you.
About Jean Stoffer Design
If you haven’t been following Jean Stoffer Design, then you simply must. She has a great show called The Established Home on the Magnolia Network.
For those that know of her and watch her, she is definitely one of the favorite interior designers on this network. But she is an independent interior designer for hire in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area.
The Madison
She has this amazing 8,500 square foot old home in downtown Grand Rapids. Right off of Wealthy Street, which should tell you something about the homes in the area.
A few years back, she originally took the home on as a project to flip, but ended up moving in. Every year she opens her entire home to the public. Ticketed entry only provides a fabulous open house to inspire everyone with beauty for the holidays.
We were happy to find parking on nearby side streets, and there were many available spots.
This year, some of my Michigan blogging friends all bought tickets. Cottage in the Mitten, A Life Unfolding, Home on Woodlark, By Emma Shay . We all went to visit Jean’s home and see her beautiful work. The tickets were about $40 each. Let me share with you some highlights.
The Holiday Tour of the Madison
From the moment you drive into this enchanting neighborhood and walk up to the Madison, the front door beckons you, and you just know it’s going to be amazing! Luckily, the day of the event, the weather was perfect and in Michigan, you never know what you’ll get in November.
The tour was very well organized, and assisted by the Stoffer home teams staff. We entered from the Madison Ave entrance, as the house sits on a huge lot, and the back entrance is from the street behind.
The Foyer of the Madison
Upon entering the foyer, we were directed to the living room. The light fixtures are all so fabulous and many are available on her website.
Each room had a framed listing of important notes of paint colors and items found in each room that could be purchased through her.
Every room was decorated for the holidays, with many nativity sets throughout the home. I really loved this touch, as I have been trying to find and incorporate more nativity sets in my Christmas decorating, especially vintage ones.
Main Floor Living Areas
Passing through the kitchen, we entered one of my favorite rooms, a solarium of sorts. Full of windows and beautiful light, this room was one of my favorites, although there is so much to love in this house.
The floor in this room is black and white marble, and is beyond gorgeous.
We made a loop, admiring the kitchen design. Then we passed by a hidden door to the powder room before heading upstairs to the second floor.
The house was decked out in natural and faux greenery throughout. Everything was very classic and pretty. You could tell that the home was full of loving and careful reconstruction.
Second and Third Floors
Upstairs there was a small office, fabulous sitting room, and the cutest bedroom tucked under the eaves. I can just imagine sleepovers with cousins there for all her grandchildren. That room was a favorite thing for me of the tour, so quaint and darling.
The primary bedroom and bathroom were decked out, and every attention to detail in the space was sooooo good. Can you imagine having all those people walkthrough your own home?
I was told that over 4,000 visitors would do the Madison walk-through over the weekend. Every person attending had a paid ticket, and wore shoe covers throughout the home tours.
There were a few more bedrooms to view, a craft/gathering bonus room, and beautiful bathrooms throughout.
Jean has decorated with gorgeous wallpaper, vintage furniture, and the most amazing artwork (which appeared to be new and some vintage).
Lots of Information About the Madison
The tour guides answered questions, we peered out windows from the third floor with amazing views of the neighborhood, and enjoyed every nook and cranny of this beautifully restored home.
You could tell, Jean brought out the beauty of this home to its fullest potential. Every sconce, pendant light, and chandelier were chosen to perfection for the space.
Coming back to the main level, we walked through the dining room, the scullery, and ended up in the enclosed porch room where we met Jean and her daughter Grace Start, who also is part of her show and interior design teams.
Meeting Jean and Grace
As we waited in line to meet them, and take a photo and have our books signed, we talked to the ladies around us. Some had come from North Carolina, Canada, and even California! I love how they came all that way to meet one of their favorite designers and admire her work.
A few make the trip annual traditions with girlfriends. I felt so spoiled to be able to come and visit within a short drive (I am less than an hour and a half away). I had heard about this last year but did not attend then, but will definitely be making this one of my new traditions for the holidays.
After meeting Jean and Grace, we exited into a beautiful tented area where a Stoffer Home pop-up shop was set up.
We met her husband Dale, and oldest son who had a kiosk set up highlighting his local coffee shops that Jean had designed, and that is near her design shop.
We shopped a bit, found a few treasures, purchased her book, and found a unique gift or two. After all the fun, we headed out with our Stoffer Home purchases, and exited to the back gardens of the property.
Touring the Madison: a lovely tradition
What an incredible tour of such a lovely property! Although we were there for a short period of time, the magic of her beautiful home stays with you!
The Madison is such a special property and I can see why she decided to move in after the renovation. Jean saved it, and it is next level gorgeous! I can’t wait until next time!
If you have the chance to go, do not hesitate. Tickets usually go on sale in early September and sell out within minutes! I was so glad that I got tickets this year, and will be returning each year to sock up what Jean and her team have to offer.
I feel thoroughly inspired and ready for the holidays! Who’s with me?
