Fir garlands and tiny lights dress up the Gust’s door during the holidays, beckoning visitors to step out of the cold and into the foyer.

Double-storied white columns, red brick façade, and wide dentil door moldings along with the graceful pediment set the scene of historic houses built 100 years ago along Jefferson Street.

When the door opens and beckons us inside, will we find a long ago elegance of the past that’s more than good looks? Yes! It’s the home of Tiffany and John Gust. It speaks to us with a true sense of history and character.

An immense, tall live evergreen tree laded with vintage ornaments and clear bubble lights softly twinkles in the peach colored parlor. It’s just the tree meant for these taller ceilings. A glowing wood-burning fire flickers from the hearth, casting reflections on the dark hardwood floor.

A Chinese red and cream plaid wingback chair, the camel back sofa, and a wooden side chair offer warmth by the fireplace.

John Gust redesigned the mantel in the living room. The room features a live everreen Christmas tree. The tall tree complements the Gusts' high ceilings.

Like a magnet, your eyes are drawn to the focal point of the gathering room: the hearth. Always the heart of any room, but during the holidays, it is truly the star. A traditional mantel decorated with fresh boxwood and magnolia garland accented with ornaments in various shades of coral, gold, and red blend perfectly into the pre-existing design of the room. Luminous sconces sparkling on each side of the mirror above the mantel reflect the back of a unique double-sided English watercolor.

“Nancy Flowers, of Gallery 600, cleverly designed a frame for this piece of art painted on a single sheet of paper, front and back,” revealed John. “A two-for-one so to speak. Both sides can be viewed and enjoyed, thanks to Nancy.”

Tucked in a corner, a fiddle-case clock that John designed, painted, and presented to Tiffany as a surprise gift continues the love story between husband and wife. Warm and friendly, this room makes a statement without ever saying a word, reminiscent of an old-fashioned Currier and Ives greeting card.

The Gust house did not always look as cozy and charming. Built in the early 1900s as a single-family dwelling complete with livery in the back along a newly developed boulevard, it was part of a new 100 acre subdivision within the city limits of Paducah. The structure changed throughout the years and was even divided into two apartments. When the Gusts discovered it, the beautiful old bones of a once fine home had lapsed into disrepair from years of neglect.

Being the eternal optimist, a curious, youthful designer blessed with an attitude of “I can do anything,” and loving a challenge, he and Tiffany purchased the house with plans to resurrect it. Several of the previous homeowners had started a variety of remodeling projects, not completing any of them, leaving the house in disarray. Luckily for the Gusts, most of the original woodwork had been removed and stored in the attic.

“It was like a giant jigsaw puzzle,” John revealed. “Trying to find the appropriate places for the many pieces of fluted moldings, plinth blocks, door, and window mantels was similar to putting Humpty Dumpty together again!”

After having the wiring, plumbing, walls and ceilings repaired, and floors refinished, the Gusts were able to do what they started out to do: retain the charm and feel of an older home without losing its form and integrity.

Tiffany laughingly shared, “John suffers from ‘maniacal moments of creativity.’ Early one morning I found him in the middle of the living room in a cloud of dust with a saw and various pieces of wood. Using some of the original wood found in the attic, he was redesigning what was left of a Mediterranean inspired mantel (thanks to a former owner) into a more simple and traditional styled mantel we have today. I think it only took him a few hours from idea to completion.”

The sliding wooden pocket doors divide the parlor and the formal dining room. And the ambience continues throughout the newly renovated kitchen, bath, den and attractive exterior landscapes.

The double crystal chandeliers salvaged from the old clubhouse of the Paducah Country Club gracing the dining room proved to be yet another enigma for the Gusts. Confessing to have a weakness for “over-the-top” chandeliers, John purchased the ornate second-hand lighting fixtures complete with a box or two of assorted prisms and extra pieces.

“Recycling is a good thing,” John confided. “And I believe in it, but by the time we detangled, sorted through and cleaned hundreds of crystals of all sizes, we both were about ready for the loony bin!”

John’s career path has led him down many lanes. He’s been involved in design projects in Lower Town and throughout Paducah and in Murray, Nashville, St. Louis and even Florida. A designer of interior and exterior spaces, gardens, and events, his talents spill over into his countless interests, all peppered with abundant energy, enthusiasm, and, of course, a terrific sense of humor.

His knack of design surfaced at a very early age. When he was 3, his mother could not keep him supplied with enough paper towels, napkins or pencils at the kitchen table to sustain his sketches and drawings of houses and floor plans. His favorite personal style would have to be traditional, though that doesn’t necessarily affect the outcome of any of his proposed design projects.

“I love the classic bones of Georgian, Adam, Federal, and Colonial,” related John. “But I like to tweak those styles with something a little eclectic and funky in the upholstery, rugs, and art. I believe in collecting things thoughtfully, and that sometimes ‘less is definitely more’ except during the holidays when decorations become more lavish.”

With his jovial Santa laugh, the twinkle in his eyes, and his mood setting magic, perhaps Christmas comes to the Gust home everyday and is not at all seasonal!

Say 'Welcome' with greenery One seldom gets a second chance to make a first impression, but when it comes to holiday decorating, you get a shot at making your house look fabulous every year! Sharing your holiday spirit with the world around you is a gift to your neighborhood. Local designer John Gust offers a few examples for creating a festive look with fresh greenery that can be gathered from your own yard, a neighbor’s, or local garden center. The fragrance of fir, cedar or pine will greet your guests with the aromatic scents of Christmas as they enter your front door. The outside winter weather will simultaneously extend the life of your decorations. Trim a basic wreath, swag or garland of gorgeous greens in November with oranges, limes and lemons for Thanksgiving. On Dec. 1, replace the fruit or add Christmas ribbon.