Meet Elise Walters, a New Canaan native and mother of two, who serves as Chair of this year’s Holiday House Tour. A former advertising and marketing executive, Walters is also a published author and founder of E&J Home Consulting. She loves taking houses “apart and putting them back together to make them homes.” Learn more about Elise in our Meet a Mom interview, and be sure to check out the Holiday House Tour—organized by the New Canaan Newcomers Club—on December 6thand 7th from 10am-2pm.
How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
Jack (age 6) and Jenny (age 4)
After growing up in New Canaan, what’s the best part about raising your kids here?
Knowing our children get to experience the same safety and support of our community that we grew up with. Our kids will be able to walk to town by themselves from middle school, meet their friends for study sessions at our wonderful library, ride bikes to grab ice cream, and get an amazing public school education. There are some things about our town that haven’t changed in 20 years—and we are so thankful for that!
Favorite family-friendly event in town?
Event wise it’s the Family 4th at Waveny Park.
What does your family like to do on weekends?
A good weekend “go-to” for us is to bring a picnic and ride scooters at Irwin Park then grab a sweet treat at Swirl.
Any hidden talents?
I can do a pretty spectacular needlepoint belt. My last one took me a year to do, though!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
This may seem pretty basic but “trust your mom instinct” and that advice was given to me by my own mom. I think when it comes to kids we have moments when our spidey sense kicks in and when you get that tingle, trust it!
Before you started your own business, what was your career focus?
I worked in the advertising and marketing industry for seven years—and helped represent products ranging from birth control to checking accounts. In 2014, I hung up my corporate hat to pursue a career in writing. My first book, Tentyrian Legacy, was published later that year.
What inspired you to start E&J Home Consulting?
I initially started E & J Home to organize my own projects under an umbrella and to distinguish the work I was doing for friends and family members. In the coming years, I plan to grow the business to take on investment properties. I just need more than 3 hours of pre-school, first!
How did you get involved with the New Canaan Holiday House Tour?
I loves houses, especially taking them apart and putting them back together to make them homes. My passion for design is what first attracted me the biennial New Canaan Holiday House Tour. In 2017, I helped manage the design and décor process for the tour, and this year I’ve taken on the role of the Holiday House Tour Chair.
What are the details for the 2019 Holiday House Tour?
This year’s tour, organized by the New Canaan Newcomers Club, will take place December 6thand 7th from 10am-2pm and will showcase 6 special homes that were selected for their distinct style. They will be decorated for the holidays with the help of 6 designers, local trades, and over 100 volunteers. Tickets are $95 with a separate $50 ticket to access a one-of-a-kind car experience at two of the homes. 100% of the proceeds from the tour will go to local charitable organizations such as the New Canaan Library, STAR, the Domestic Violence Crisis Center, ABC House, and more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.newcanaannewcomers.com/purchase-tickets
We love supporting local businesses. Favorite places in town (or near town) to…
Have dinner with/without kids: Cava
Grab a drink with friends: Uncorked
Have a date night: Inn at Pound Ridge
Spend time with a family indoors/outdoors:
Best Saturday routine:
o Grab candy my kids don’t need at McKenzies
o Books and a DVD at the library
o Lunch for everyone at Club Sandwich
Shop for yourself/shop for your kids: Elm St. Books (for both!)
Spa/salon (or anywhere you go to treat yourself): Natural Nail Salon Belle Visage. It’s the best pedicure in New Canaan!
Grab coffee: Zumbachs for coffee, hot chocolate at Le Pain Quotidien(the kind where you pour the chocolate into the hot milk!)
Any hidden treasures or other favorites you want to share?
–Little Whitney for anything baby.
–Historical Society gift shop for something special for visiting guests
-Visiting animals at the New Canaan Nature Center just because (although this probably isn’t so secret)
–The Holiday House Tour! So fun to grab your best girlfriends, make a day of it to tour the 6 homes, have lunch, and get decorating ideas for the holidays!