Window Walk is a month-long celebration highlighting the many wonderful attributes of the holidays in the CWE. Visitors are invited to stroll amidst elegantly decorated windows while shopping at boutiques, enjoying seasonal libations and delicious meals at local restaurants.
Now in its 9th year, Window Walk brings back the time-honored tradition of going downtown to see festive windows, while showcasing the CWE’s retail and dining establishments. We partnered with St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles Magazine and 13 of St. Louis’ best designers to help transform our neighborhood into a winter wonderland.
Let’s meet some of our designers this year!
KH Interiors
Krista Howard of KH Interiors worked with The Candle Fusion Studio to bring to life two unique scenes depicting light during the holiday season.
Tell us about yourself.
Krista: I’m the owner of KH Interiors. We’re an interior design and remodeling company focusing on local homes since 2006. We have 7 amazing employees!
How many years have you participated in Window Walk?
Krista: I’ve partnered with the Central West End’s Window Walk for six years!
Why did you want to be involved in this year’s Window Walk Festivities?
Krista: It’s a blast and I can’t say no. It’s a fun diversion from our regular design scene and stretches our creativity at the most wonderful time of year!
Where did the inspiration come from for your design?
Krista: This year I was partnered with Deanna McClintock, the owner of The Candle Fusion Studio, and she’s amazing! We met and collaborated and our visions melded beautifully. The store has two large windows which allowed us to express two unique examples of the importance of light during the holidays. “Be Merry” is our indoor elegant theme with layers of warm candle glow, while “Be Bright” is an outdoor snow scene using the Polar Express Train as our beacon of “bright light” through the cold winter nights.
What do you love most about the CWE?
Krista: The diversity that the neighborhood attracts and the organized events that the CWE sponsors are why I love it so much and why I keep coming back each year. We all want to see the CWE succeed!
What is your favorite part of the holiday season?
Krista: Family time and midnight mass at St. Alphonsus Rock Church.
TrinaDesigns
This year, Trina, the CEO of TrinaDesigns, designed both Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams’ and Revive Tan’s windows.
Tell us about yourself.
Trina: I am a recent interior design graduate of Steven’s Institute of Business and Arts! There are many aspects of design that I love and am able to do. I am a creative type and love seeing a vision come to life so designing fits me perfectly. There is nothing that I won’t do to see a design come to life! I once even hired a real peacock to get feathers for a client who wanted real peacock feathers.
How many years have you participated in Window Walk?
Trina: This is my first year and hopefully not my last!
Why did you want to be involved in this year’s Window Walk Festivities?
Trina: Someone who I respect in the design community told me about it and asked if I’d like to participate-immediately I said yes. The ability to get creative with decor is fun and very satisfying for me!
Where did the inspiration come from for your design?
Trina: I had a great conversation with Rachel and Maddie from Jeni’s management team. After listening to their thoughts and ideas, I was able to present them with three concepts that I felt captured their vision. They were excited about being able to customize parts of the design and we ultimately decided on a stream-lined, happy theme. I think it fits perfectly with Jeni’s overall aesthetic.
For Revive Tan, I loved that Mallory was super organized and presented me with a sugar plum fairy vision that mirrored their glamorous shop! She made my job easy with being clear about their theme and the need for it to reflect who they are as a company. They have products and services that make one feel very special so I think the design matches that by being unexpectedly sophisticated with a touch of whimsy. What’s more special than that?
What do you love most about the CWE?
Trina: The strong sense of community the businesses share has a very important impact on the overall value of an area. The CWE has always been impressive in that way…not to mention the fabulous architecture all around!
What is your favorite part of the holiday season?
Trina: I love the decorating!
Yours By Design
This year CJ Knapp, the owner of Yours By Design, created a whimsical design featuring elves and gnomes for The Cup’s window.
Tell us about yourself.
CJ: I have been an interior designer for over 20 years. During that time, I have created rooms, vignettes, and display homes. I have also decorated many houses for the holidays. I have some background and training in floral work.
How many years have you participated in Window Walk?
CJ: This is the 4th year that I have worked on Window Walk. I have created windows for Scape and for Drunken Fish. Last year I did Candle Fusion Studio and Llewellyn’s.
Why did you want to be involved in this year’s Window Walk Festivities?
CJ: We enjoy the challenge of coming up with something new each year.
Where did the inspiration come from for your design?
CJ: We went looking for inspiration after we were told that we were working with The Cup. Having been there many times ourselves, we wanted something that was fun and reflected their products. As soon as we saw the gnomes, we knew that is what we wanted to base our design after! Then we found the llamas and decided to make gnomes out of the store’s T-shirts. The window is kind of like the shoemaker’s elves. Gnomes are known for working all night!
What do you love most about the CWE?
CJ: We love the shops and restaurants and the ease of walking everywhere.
What is your favorite part of the holiday season?
CJ: Presents! And the decorations.
To learn more about Window Walk, click here!