Enjoying a cup of tea while sitting at Maureen’s kitchen island and conversing with her about how this classic, yet oh-so-cozy Keegan home came about, is a very pleasant way to spend a Tuesday afternoon. John and Maureen Keegan, their children, Patrick and Kate, and their very cute Chocolate Labrador dog named Sadie, have called 2606 Creekside Lane home for eight years now.

Maureen shared some background information about their home. She had the vision when they were in the planning stages of building, that this house must have a timeless character — she didn’t want it locked into any particular time, period. “Timeless, not trendy” were her words. Working with an architect from Georgia, Maureen liked his classic ideas — a house that looked like an older home yet was new.

The Keegans succeeded in that vision.

The kitchen is often thought of as the control tower for family life. Centrally located in the home, warmth and coziness emanate from this room as well as lots of conversation and delicious food. As I mentioned, the kitchen is the hub, so from the kitchen visitors can enter the sunroom which is decorated with garden decor complete with garden tools. A patio, just perfect for outdoor grilling and entertaining, is off the sunroom. Maureen loves gardening and John is known for his beautiful lawn. The man loves grass! This is not hard to understand, though, for John has been the golf pro at Morris Country Club for over 20 years.

The great/family room is also connected with the kitchen. The big Keegan Christmas tree will be here decorated in gold and jewel tones along with some tulle. Burgundy and ivory poinsettias with glitter tipped leaves will also add to the holiday look. A stone fireplace reaching to the ceiling makes a statement on one of the terracotta colored walls of this gathering room. Spectacular windows offer the peaceful, country view of the neighboring horse farm. In fact, the lane that daughter Kate walked on every day growing up as she went to the barn to care for her horse at the farm can be seen from this view. Maureen smiles as she refers to her daughter Kate, saying “She lived a country girl’s dream, but didn’t live on a farm.”

Off of the great/family room is a small TV room. As a side note, I must say that I agree with the Keegan philosophy about television watching. There is no television in the great/family room so the family wouldn’t treat the TV as a focal point as family and friends gather. The TV room has the television situated with comfortable, cozy, suede and leather furniture.

Some of the very interesting and beautiful features of the Keegans’ home are the choices of the Brazilian Cherry wood flooring, the dual open staircase with the black, wrought iron spindles, and the twenty foot ceilings with the crown moldings. Also, the choice of three or four colors for the downstairs rooms of the house so that the rooms are tied together and yet flow one to the next is very pleasing to the eye. The unique open upstairs overlooks the foyer and great/family room. There are also written quotes and verses displayed throughout the home. This last feature mentioned about the quotes is also easy to understand, since Maureen is an author and has published a children’s book. This woman loves words!

I haven’t mentioned John’s office and it definitely needs a few words said about it in this article. As you might imagine, golf is the theme and there are old irons and woods displayed. Maureen’s Grandpa Hynds’ membership to the Morris Country Club dating back to 1941 is hung on one of the walls as well as a nostalgic photo of one of the first groups of caddies at the Morris Country Club. Be sure to notice the curtains in this room — “Old Glory” is a good description for them.

All of the bedrooms are upstairs. Patrick’s bedroom definitely reflects his love of snowboarding. His other love is golf and he currently is studying at the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago with plans to design golf sportswear.

Kate’s bedroom is done in powder pink and chocolate brown. Her room has a unique feature. She has her own sink and vanity. Any young lady would love the colors and the patterns that Kate chose in her decor. Kate is attending St. Francis High School in Wheaton. She is in the 11th grade.

The master bedroom and bath is definitely a peaceful retreat with a glorious view from the window seat of the countryside and horse farm. Remember Sadie? She thinks it is a comfy seat with a good view, too! Be sure to notice the intriguing collection of metal and iron crosses displayed above the bed.

The Keegan home at 2606 Creekside Lane is a classic beauty with the warmth and cozy feeling of an older home. What was it Maureen mentioned as we visited with a cup of tea? Timeless, not trendy. I think the Keegans have succeeded in their vision for their home.

The Keegan home and three other homes will be featured on the 2011 “Home for the Holidays” Housewalk on Friday, Nov. 25 from 12-7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at downtown businesses as well as any of the homes on the Housewalk or the complimentary tea done by Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice and New Community Christian Church. The Tea will be at New Community Christian Church at 705 E. Washington St. Proceeds from the Housewalk are given to Grundy Community Hospice, Morris Downtown Beautification and scholarships for Morris High School and GAVC seniors.

“Home for the Holidays” Housewalk guests will be pleased to know that their tickets are also entries in the grand prize drawing which features a $300 Grundy County Chamber Gift Certificate, a collection of gifts and gift certificates from the Morris Retail Association and other downtown retailers,  a dinner at Chapin’s Restaurant and wine from Montage Spirits and Gifts.

The Hostess Coordinator for the Keegan home is Carol Robinson.

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ON THE WALK

• OWNERS: John and Maureen Keegan

• LOCATION: 2606 Creekside Lane, Morris

• HOSTESS: Carol Robinson

• SEE IT: This is one of four homes featured on the 2011 Home for the Holidays Housewalk from 12-7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25.

• TICKETS: Cost $15 and can be purchased at downtown businesses or at any of the homes on the housewalk or at the complimentary tea, which will be held at New Community Christian Church in Morris.

• PROCEEDS: The housewalk is used to benefit the Grundy County Hospice, Morris Downtown Beautification and scholarships for students at Morris Community High School and Grundy Area Vocational Center.