Here’s your chance to peek into fancy Fourth Ward homes—we mean, see holiday decor
This is it, fellow Charlotteans who also wonder what other people’s homes look like on the inside. Here’s my — I mean our — chance to see the interior of some of Fourth Ward’s most beautiful homes.
Holiday bonus points: this weekend’s 42nd annual Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour offers a way to visit what feels like another place (we’ll even go so far as to say, another place in time) without ever leaving uptown. You’ll escape from the hustle and bustle of city life — but don’t worry, you can still take the light rail.
“I love to see how differently people live in the neighborhood. There are toys everywhere in my house, but other people’s homes are impeccable and spotless,” said Natalie Alston, who moved to Fourth Ward in 2017 after having her home on Pine Street built. (For the record, she was showing CharlotteFive her spotless home as she said this — the irony was not lost on us.)
The tour runs Friday-Sunday and is mostly sold out, so hurry and get a ticket if you want one. Once you have your ticket, check in at W. 9th and N. Poplar streets when you arrive. You’ll get a map for your self-guided tour, then off you’ll go.
Come hungry: Present your guidebook for free small bites at Poplar, coffee at Queen City Grounds, pimento mac and cheese bites at Pizzeria Sapienza, small bites at Corkscrew on 5th, small bits at The Daily and samples at The Asbury. On Sunday, the McNinch House Restaurant will be on the tour.
All that’s great, but let’s get back to seeing how people style their houses. We got a sneak peek of the homes, which range from 1-bedroom condos to houses that are several stories high.
Here’s where to go and what to look for while you’re there:
(1) The Fennimore Residence
West 9th Street, built in 1895
What to look for:
The colorful display of nutcrackers on a side table in the dining room.
The framed Family Circle-style cartoon of Tom Fennimore’s walk to work, created by The Charlotte Observer in 2002, showing off Fennimore’s stops at Ericsson Stadium, Starbucks and Reid’s Fine Foods.
Don’t forget: Muddy River Distillery tastings on the back porch.
(2) The Henry Residence
North Pine Street, built around 1890
Fun fact: this home was originally on Graham Street and was moved to current location in the 1970s.
What to look for:
The Winnie the Wheaten Terrier ornament on the tree in the front room. The actual dog won’t be home for the tour, but if you walk by the house any other day, look for her in the front window.
The old-school apple closet in the front room.
Don’t forget: Copper Barrel Distillery tastings on the back porch.
(3) The Alston Residence
North Pine Street, built in 2016.
What to look for:
A powerful, original piece by Stephanie J. Woods, called Weave Idolatry, above the fireplace in the living room. Woods is a former artist-in-residence at McColl Center for Art + Innovation.
The toy wagon in the playroom (on the third floor). One of the Alstons’ children used it when learning to walk.
Don’t forget: Doc Porter’s tastings on the back patio.
(4) St. Peter’s Condominiums, The Schaff Residence
North Poplar Street, built in the 1870s
What to look for:
The skyline view from the solarium window. Even better, there’s a skyline view from the master bedroom. Can you imagine seeing that every night as you’re counting sheep?
The chandelier Christmas tree in LeeAnn Schaff’s loft bedroom. Her inspiration was from the Soo Kee Jewellery Christmas tree in Singapore in 2007, reportedly adorned with 21,798 diamonds, 3,762 crystal beads and 456 lights. “Trust me, this one was not a million dollars,” Schaff told CharlotteFive about the tree in her home.
Don’t forget: Potts Chocolate, Carolina Craft Cocktails, (Bonus: Broken Shed vodka on Saturday) tastings in the courtyard.
(5) St. Peter’s Condominiums, The Reinsmith Residence
North Poplar Street, built in the 1870s
Built in the 1870s
What to look for:
Photos of Havana, Laguna Beach and Paris in the living room, taken by homeowner Kory Reinsmith.
The quaint window with a single candle in the upstairs bedroom.
Don’t forget: Potts Chocolate, Carolina Craft Cocktails, (Bonus: Broken Shed vodka on Saturday) tastings in the courtyard.
(6) St. Peter’s Condominiums, The Evans & Guillen Residence
North Poplar Street, built in the 1870s
What to look for:
The birds, still decorating the tree as you walk in. If you feel like you’re in a modern-day Snow White or Cinderella, it’s because you probably are.
The four place settings in front of mustard bar stools feel inviting enough to sit and stay for as long as you’d like (though the homeowners may disagree.)
Don’t forget: Potts Chocolate, Carolina Craft Cocktails, (Bonus: Broken Shed vodka on Saturday) tastings in the courtyard.
Friends of Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour
Tickets: $30-$45. Almost sold out.
Begin at W. 9th and N. Poplar streets
Friday, Dec 6: 5–9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec 7: 5–9 p.m.
Sunday, Dec 8: 1-5 p.m.
On-street parking is free, but limited. Ride share/transit is encouraged.
