While shopping at Junk Jubilee this winter, I struck up a conversation with my friend Carol, the owner of Reclaimed Iowa: A Junk Lady’s Philosophy. Carol runs the cutest little shop in the East Village of Des Moines. During our chat, I purchased an antique Santa from her collection. She then mentioned how all of her Santa’s had been used the previous year to style a room at the Salisbury House for their holiday event.
I was clueless about what she was talking about! It turns out that Des Moines is home to a grand old mansion called the Salisbury House, which gets beautifully decorated for Christmas each year. They invite various designers, event planners, antique shop owners, and other creatives to style spaces throughout the house. The previous year, Carol had adorned her assigned space with the stunning collection of antique Santas that now were available in her booth at Junk Jubilee!
As Carol continued talking about the Salisbury House, she mentioned receiving free tickets for participating and generously offered to gift me one!
Day Date
When I got back home, I looked up the Salisbury House online. After checking our schedules, I confirmed that we could make the trip and told my husband it was officially a date!
Now, my husband isn’t a fan of antique shopping or thrifting, but he loves exploring historic homes. Over the years, we’ve done several walking tours in the Des Moines area and always had a blast.
While researching the Salisbury House, I discovered a surprising connection: the family behind the mansion, the Salisburys, originally hailed from Centerville! What are the odds? If you’re new here, I was born and raised in Centerville. After my husband and I started our family, we moved to Centerville before recently relocating to Ankeny. This local connection made the experience even more special.
A Brief History of the Salisbury House and Gardens
The Salisbury House, located in Des Moines, Iowa, is a stunning example of 1920s architectural grandeur. Inspired by the King’s House in Salisbury, England, the mansion was built by Carl and Edith Weeks, who envisioned a home that reflected their passion for art, literature, and culture. Carl Weeks, a successful businessman, made his fortune in the cosmetics industry, notably through the development of foundation makeup.
The Weeks family had roots in Centerville, Iowa, where Carl was born and raised. This small-town connection makes their story all the more fascinating for locals. The Weeks family’s success allowed them to commission the Salisbury House, which they filled with rare books, fine art, and European antiques.
Today, the Salisbury House and Gardens is a museum and cultural hub, hosting events, tours, and seasonal decorations like the holiday showcase I attended. It’s not only a piece of architectural beauty but also a treasure trove of history with ties to communities across Iowa.
Take A Look
Enjoy Home Tours? Check Out My Friends Maximalist Home
Not only was the architecture and original furnishings absolutely amazing to look at, but it was also a lot of fun to see how the decorators designed their spaces!
Carol had a little foyer and bathroom to decorate! This year she had a disco ball theme with a bunch of color wheels!!
So if you are ever in the Des Moines, Iowa area, be sure to check out Carol’s shop, Reclaimed AND Salisbury House!
Want to take a tour of my dining room in our Centerville House? Check it out HERE.
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