November 13, 2008 Issue
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Classified Chestnut Hill Local Don't Miss an Issue, Tell us what you see or Winner of Two |
Holiday House Tour kicks off with 19th century Italianate home
The Chestnut Hill Community Association will again host its popular Holiday House Tour, on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Four magnificent homes, each with a unique design and architectural style, will be decorated for the holidays and open to the public. Each step of this year’s tour will deliver festive designs sure to capture the imagination and put visitors in a holiday mood. A beautiful Queen Anne style home, charming center hall colonial, and a 20th century colonial revival will be full of festive décor and colorful greenery. The first stop, however, will be an intriguing Italianate style home. Built in 1854 and based on the Samuel Sloan design from The Model Architect, this residence was built for John Piper. Thought initially to be a summerhouse, many additions were made, including one in 1901 that added a new pantry, bedroom and large dining room. The original dining room was later changed into a library with cherry shelving and a rolling ladder still present there today. The first thing tour goers will notice is the huge wraparound front porch. Botanical Expressions, a full-service florist in Flourtown, will dazzle guests with its work on the front door and entrance to the house. A wreath made from Noble Fur and a selection of dry and synthetic materials will be complemented by a garland with berries and seasonal greens around the entrance. Hanging baskets along both sides of the porch will match the wreath and garland. Tour guests will be amazed by the creative and surprising use of everyday materials to accentuate the character and style of the residence. H. H. Tapper & Associates and Everyday Valet will design the current dining room as they imagine it may have looked in the 19th century. They will capture the style and grandeur of fabulous dinner parties by creating beautiful greenery and treasures accented with tones of jewel, sapphire, gold, ruby and eggplant with sparkles of crystal and silver. When not adoring their fine work, guests will be mesmerized by the high ceilings and fabulous sideboard décor. In the sitting room, Tranquil Waters — a charming shop in Glenside — will create a cozy room for the family to gather on Christmas Day and open gifts. Leveraging their unique indoor tabletop fountains and fair trade handcrafted products from local artists and craftsmen around the world, designer Paris Merin hopes visitors leave in the holiday spirit with interesting gift ideas. Visitors entering the living room should be sure to look straight up at the chandeliers made by the Philadelphia lighting firm of Cornelius and Baker and installed in the house a century ago. They remain as stunning as ever. Originally gas lit, they probably would have had glass globes. They have since been electrified with candle-like fixtures. Diane Bryman Accents will add elegant amber candleholders to the room and anchor the beautiful mantle draped with ribbons, greens, fabrics and fruit all ready for a holiday party. As at most parties, guests will not want to leave the kitchen area, decorated by Bittersweet Village Collectibles to reflect a 1920s feel. The atmosphere will be one of anticipation as the theme for the kitchen and intimate breakfast nook will be “getting ready for Christmas,” complete with baked cookies and festive table setting. The homeowners have spent a lot of time getting ready for Christmas, and guests will get a look at their floor-to-ceiling, live Christmas tree decorated with a diverse collection of interesting Christmas ornaments, including some antique bulbs. The Holiday House Tour is made possible through the generosity of homeowners who open their houses, sponsors Citibank and Myers Constructs, Inc., and the dedication of the volunteer planning committee. The tour is a great way to welcome the holidays and spend an afternoon with friends. All tour guests will receive a keepsake guidebook with a map and details of the homes and the decorating efforts of the designers and florists. Take the day to enjoy lunch, stroll the shops along Germantown Avenue and finish the day with dinner. Many of our fine restaurants and cafes offer a 10 percent discount with your Holiday House Tour wristband. Tickets for the tour are $30 for CHCA members and $35 for non-members. Tickets can be reserved in advance by calling Noreen Spota at 215-248-8810, by mail at the Chestnut Hill Community Association, 8434 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA, 19118, or on the web at . Groups of 10 or more will receive a 10 percent discount on tickets. Gift certificates are also available.
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