Get decorating ideas at Wheaton Holiday Housewalk

If you've ever wondered what sort of architectural touches, luxurious flourishes or creative design innovations are contained within the walls of a picturesque house, the Wheaton Holiday Housewalk is an invitation to find out.

Four Wheaton homes will welcome ticketholders for sightseeing and guided tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11.

"Every year, it's been a success," event co-chairwoman Chris Litavsky said. "People look forward to it. What we really try to do is provide four different houses. We have old, new, big, small, charming, elegant. We want everyone to get ideas. Everyone has a different kind of house."

To that end, the program will list details about each house, right down to the paint colors used on the interior walls, along with a map of the destinations.

This year's walk will feature two homes on North West Street, one on North Gary Avenue and one on Prairie Avenue. All will be festively decked out for the holidays.

The Prairie Avenue house is the largest at 7,500 square feet.

"It has four different staircases. It is located on three-quarters of an acre. It is just very elegantly done," Litavsky said.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is a 3,000-square-foot house on the 1100 block of North West Street.

"It's a charming vintage cottage. It was built in the '40s. It is beautiful," Litavsky said. "(The owner) has used every square inch very efficiently."

About two blocks south on West Street is a relatively newly constructed house that replaced a smaller house about 10 years ago. Litavsky said the same family lives in the new house.

"It is just kind of a Pottery Barn-décor, very fresh, very open layout and very family friendly," she said. "It has a huge front porch."

Further north and east, the fourth house on the walk is on the 600 block of North Gary Avenue.

"It's an early 1900s farmhouse that underwent a huge renovation about 12 years ago," Litavsky said. "The decorating is kind of modern and clean. The house has a lot of windows. (The owner) does a lot with the lighting."

The event is a fundraiser for Flight, the Wheaton North High School show choir, a 50-member coed ensemble that often travels to competitions nationwide.

Litavsky said three of her children have participated in the choir. Two have graduated and gone on to college; the third, her daughter Grace, is currently a junior at Wheaton North.

The housewalk helps defray choir costs, she said.

"We have increased our revenues each year. It's enabled us to travel and do some of these competitions. Last year, we competed in Hollywood, California," she said. "They do really well."

Show choir members will be on hand during the housewalk.

"All the kids help. The kids are so actively involved. They give tours. They take tickets, they meet and greet," Litavsky said. "Most importantly, they sing throughout the day."

She said choir members will serenade housewalk guests outdoors as the guests wait in line.

Litavsky said tickets are available in advance through several Wheaton merchants and at Wheaton North High School. Tickets also will be available at each house. Participants may begin their walk at any of the four houses.

Strollers are not allowed on the housewalk, she said, and ticketed children must be accompanied by an adult.

All of the houses except the one on Prairie Avenue are within easy walking distance, she said.

If you go

What: Fourth annual Wheaton Holiday Housewalk to benefit the Wheaton North High School Flight show choir

Where: Four houses on Wheaton's north side

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11

Cost: $30 in advance, $35 at the door

Info: wheatonholidayhousewalk.com