It’s 30 years since Kevin McCallister and his antics made Home Alone the ultimate Christmas film.
The movie turned Macaulay Culkin into a sensation and held the record for being the highest grossing live action comedy ever.
Central to the film’s plot is how eight-year-old Kevin was accidentally left at home on his own when his family went on a festive holiday and forgot to take him.
From the iconic aftershave scene to treating himself to takeaway pizza, Kevin seems to be managing just fine until two hapless burglars – Harry and Marv – realise the luxury home is fit for raiding.
However, they’re completely outwitted by the young Kevin, who sets up a raft of booby traps throughout the home before his family return and everyone is reunited.
(Image: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)
And since the smash hit film, which was released in 1990, the home at the centre of the plot has dramatically changed and is almost unrecognisable to the one made famous in Home Alone.
It’s never revealed what young Kevin’s parents did for a living – but it’s fair to say they must have had pretty impressive jobs to afford such a stunning home.
Home Alone is set in Chicago, in the US, but was actually filmed in Winnetka, Illinois.
(Image: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)
And, more than 20 years after the film ht cinema screens the real life property was put on the market, giving fans a chance to have a sneak peek inside for the first time.
Back in 2011 the incredible home was put on the market for £1.7million – eventually selling for £1.2million.
Speaking about how they chose the home, director Chris Columbus said: “We needed to cast a house that would work for the stunts and also a house that was visually appealing and, if this makes sense, warm and menacing at the same time.
(Image: 20th Century Fox)
(Image: Coldwell Banker)
“It’s the kind of house if you were a kid it would be fun to be left home alone… I wanted it to feel timeless.”
When Home Alone was made the house was owned by John and Cynthia Abendshien but was completely transformed by the production company.
Spread over three floors, the huge home is close to the stunning Lake Michigan – but it looks VERY different to the cosy, festive house the McCallisters lived in.
(Image: 20th Century Fox)
(Image: Coldwell Banker)
First up, in the kitchen, the dark wood and green tiles are gone and instead the room is a light and airy white, with an island in the centre and all the mod cons.
Next, the stairs where Kevin expertly carries out the paint bucket trap that sees Harry and Marv hurtling back down to the bottom and completely different.
Instead of a dark red carpet, there is a light blue runner. The floral wallpaper has been replaced with muted grey paintwork.
(Image: 20th Century Fox)
(Image: Coldwell Banker)
The office, which looked as cosy and festive as possible with huge comfy red armchairs, dark wood furniture and green walls is a much less cluttered space in real life.
A piano has pride of place in the middle of the room, which is painted a pale cream and grey to maximise the use of light.
The dinner table, which was the scene of much family chaos, is unrecognisable.
(Image: 20th Century Fox)
(Image: Coldwell Banker)
There’s now an additional window and the set of stairs leading from it have vanished. The tiled floor has been replaced with wood and in place of the massive pine table is a delicate mahogany piece of furniture.
Kevin’s parents bedroom also could not look more different. The only thing remaining from the film is the impressive four poster bed.
(Image: 20th Century Fox)
(Image: Coldwell Banker)
But the red walls, fire place, and clutter have all been removed. Gone too is the red floral wallpaper, with the walls a very muted cream.
It’s all very regal in the McCallister household. Even the dining room is luxurious, with dark red walls and a formal table.
Not much changed in the movie, it just got a bit more festive, with the walls now much lighter to brighten the room.
Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/inside-home-alone-house-now-23182836