Understated charm

Homes

Related Photos

The attractive cabinets and fireplace in the Geigers' living room are dressed for the season with whimsical ornaments, garland, stockings and Christmas knickknacks. Emma Bowen Meyer
Ivan and Stephanie Geiger build this home in Pendleton three years ago. Emma Bowen Meyer
Ivan and Stephanie Geiger stand in their entryway with their children, Jordan, 15, and Alec, 12. Emma Bowen Meyer

Discussion

December 22, 2012

Understated charm

Custom-built Pendleton home fits Christmas-loving Geigers fine

By Emma Bowen Meyer For The Herald Bulletin The Herald Bulletin Sat Dec 22, 2012, 07:43 PM EST

PENDLETON, Ind. — Decking chocolate-colored walls with Christmas décor may prove to be a challenge to most, but Stephanie Geiger has managed to expertly mesh the sharp, clean lines of her home with understated Christmas charm. A deep love of the holiday sparks her imagination as she carefully chooses items to display in her recently built home.

“I just love Christmas,” said Stephanie, a dental hygienist in the Geist area. “I have wonderful childhood memories of Christmas, especially about my grandmother. I was very close to her.”

White strings of lights and predominately silver ornaments adorn most of the trees placed in various rooms, creating a classy image that plays nicely off the chocolate and cream walls. Even hanging from the beautiful chandelier in the two-story entryway are silver tea lights, calling attention upward.

In the living room, however, is the family tree that pops with red accents and matching perfectly-wrapped packages. Previously the home of all the sentimental ornaments, this tree now embodies a red-and-silver color theme of shiny glass bobbles — mostly.

“We bought this new tree last year and put the old one in our bedroom,” said Stephanie. “I put most of the sentimental ornaments on that one, but a few of my favorites just had to be down here in the living room.”

“The kids love to hide the pickle,” said Ivan, a CT scan technologist in Indy and Anderson. “They move it around the tree and the rest of us look for it.”

Building the home three years ago, the family was able to fashion it just the way they liked. With an eye on the neighborhood for years, Ivan and Stephanie finally took the plunge when they saw the lot for sale.

“We liked the neighborhood feel we were moving from — and we had great neighbors,” said Ivan. “It was really sad to leave them. But we are fortunate to have great neighbors here, too.”

He was drawn to the open floor plan of the design and she was pleased with the large kitchen.

“It’s where we all seem to hang out anyway,” said Stephanie with a smile. “We like to entertain.”

Christmas is clearly a favorite holiday — as a tree adorns almost every room of the house. A small tree graces the corner of the eat-in kitchen while a formally decorated tree adds cheer to the dining room. Fun ornaments trim the living-room tree, sentimental bobbles appear in the master bedroom and a special travel theme embellishes the tree in the den.

Colorful garland sweeps up the banister in the entryway and over the mantel of the fireplace. Everywhere visitors turn, they are reminded of the joyous season.

“We have a lot of happy memories of Christmas,” Stephanie said.

Each week, Emma Bowen Meyer features a Madison County home. If you know of a home that should be showcased, send an email to emmagoldiemeyer@yahoo.com.

Text Only

Homes

AU’s Boyes house
While James and Deanna Edwards are clearly at home in the residence they’ve shared for 23 years, much of the furniture and décor actually belong to someone else — previous Anderson University presidents and their families.

May 4, 2013 1 Photo
‘Our forever house’
Rob and Lana Ranahan were so pleased with their home on Eighth Street that they had completely renovated the kitchen into a chef’s dream. A few short weeks later, they moved to a house that had been abandoned for several years.

April 27, 2013 2 Photos
Martins’ homey feel
Jeff Martin grew up on a farm and, although he never missed the work linked to such a life, he did find he missed the land. When an opportunity arose to buy a favored home along with 65 surrounding acres, the move from Fortville was easy to make.

April 20, 2013 2 Photos
‘Perfect combination’
A side business is quickly taking over the life of Eric J. Scott as he has officially entered the world of design. Although he has consistently consulted with friends, family and acquaintances on interior design choices since he was 15, he only established EJS Designs four years ago.

April 13, 2013 2 Photos
A sturdy home
Since Michael and Kenya Long purchased their house a little over a year ago, it has seen many updates and changes. But the most interesting feature has remained the same. Although a visitor could not see traces of it from the outside, the home was originally a log cabin built 200 years ago.

March 30, 2013 2 Photos
‘Blessed to live here’
When Matt and Libby Manning left Tennessee to settle closer to family, their eyes landed on Anderson. With a strong love of the outdoors, they were careful to choose a home that would suit their needs both inside and out.

March 23, 2013 2 Photos
Starting the garden
To get a jump on the season and enjoy fresh vegetables sooner, planting in trays can provide healthy sprouts to transfer once spring finally does break.

March 16, 2013 2 Photos
Wait till spring?
As thoughts turn to spring, homeowners begin thinking about replacing drafty windows. But waiting is really not necessary, according to Charles Surber, sales manager of Surber’s Windows and Doors Inc., in Anderson.

March 9, 2013 1 Photo
The 10-year plan
Winding down 3½ acres of heavily wooded land is a little gravel road that leads to a lovely home. Near Indiana 9 and Scatterfield Road, the oasis is tucked away in an unexpected spot.

March 2, 2013 2 Photos
A tranquil home filled with love
When Paula Nevins walked into the family room of a home on the edge of the county, she fell in love. But the home, built in 1974, had not been updated in any way in over 30 years. Paula and her late husband, Michael, had a full-time project ahead of them.

February 23, 2013 2 Photos
More Homes Headlines