History in the Making

Feelings of nostalgia are easily conjured surrounded by family and friends in a festively attired historic home

Written by Rex Lyons / Photography by Eric Williams

Christmas and the Holidays mean so many distinctive things to different people. Christmas is a time of celebrations, decorations, gifts, food, family, and traditions. When all of these are combined the result can be magical, as is the case with the lively homeowner of this historic home.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the house was built in 1913 to replace a residence that had burned in the 1890s. The limestone building is an excellent example of the popular Arts and Crafts style. Near the end of the last century, a major addition at the rear of the house added a master bedroom wing, a gallery, and a generously proportioned great room. The current homeowner purchased the house in 2000 and has continued a program of additions and improvements. Recently she added the stylish pool and pool house. The columned pergola connecting the main house to the pool house was designed to match the one surrounding the rear courtyard of the residence.

In the living room, in addition to the decorated large Christmas tree, the original stone mantel is decorated with greenery, old mercury glass and purple ribbon to complement the decor of the room. The brightly colored painting over the mantle is a recent addition.

Christmas is a special time at the residence. With four children, their spouses, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild all calling at one time or another, the home is a busy place. The whole house is decked and be-decked for the holidays. Numerous trees are placed throughout the house and every room has some special touch for the season.

In the front hallway are giant pinecones with bunches of hydrangea and silk ribbon to garland the stairway and over doors. The colors of the decorations complement beautifully the subtle shades of the antique petit point upholstery on the Louis XV sofa. Above the sofa hang a pair of antique Venetian glass wall sconce. Light from the Palladian window on the stair landing highlights the colors of the hydrangeas.

In the front hallway are giant pinecones with bunches of hydrangea and silk ribbon to garland the stairway and over doors.

In the living room, in addition to the decorated large Christmas tree, the original stone mantel is decorated with greenery, old mercury glass, and purple ribbon to complement the decor of the room. The brightly colored painting over the mantle is a recent addition. The homeowner likes to keep changing and revolving artwork to spark new life and feeling into a room. Off the living room is what once was an open porch. This is now enclosed and is used as a comfortable office and sitting room.

Directly across the main hallway from the living room is the spacious light-filled dining room. Displayed on broad windowsills and in cabinets is part of the owner’s extensive collection of antique and contemporary Venetian glass. In one corner a Chinese Chippendale style cabinet displays china and glass. Across from the front triple window, the homeowner had built into an existing alcove, a breakfront china cabinet for serving, and to display more of her collection. Next to it hangs a large European oil painting that was retired from its original position over the living room mantel.

Behind the stair hall is a long window filled gallery that overlooks the courtyard and garden. In one corner of the gallery is a Christmas tree decorated all in shades of red that the homeowner purchased fully decorated. Seeing it in the store she knew at a glance that it would be the perfect item for that particular spot. The gallery as well as being a display place for art, serves as a connector between the master bedroom wing, the front hall and the large great room.

The great room is filled with deep comfortable sofas and chairs. Adjoining the pool, pool terrace, and pergola, the room also overlooks the rear gardens. Another large decorated tree is featured here. In the great room as well as throughout the rest of the house antique family furniture as well as items more recently collected are used together to create a warm and comfortable atmosphere. Each room is so carefully planned that they work perfectly for both large and small groups. It can handle dinner for four as invitingly as it can accommodate a party for 150. Recent changes to the kitchen, including two dishwashers an additional oven and warming drawer as well as a larger center island, have made significant entertaining even more convenient The large Victorian oak table at one end of the kitchen belonged to the homeowner’s mother. Used with the table are a set of Victorian pressed back chairs and an antique French oak sideboard.

Christmas Eve is a special time for the entire extended family. That is the time when the whole family gathers together to celebrate. Under the large tree in the great room are placed in individual stacks all of the presents for the children. They take turns opening their gifts while the adults watch and admire. After the last gift is opened, dinner is served for everyone. At the end of dinner, while the children all gather in the great room to play with the new treasures the adults assemble in the living room where their gifts have been placed under that tree. There, at the opposite end of the house, in relative peace, the adults have after-dinner drinks and open their presents. This past Christmas was made uniquely special when the homeowner and her fiancé were able to announce to the entire family their engagement. Yet another very special moment for a home that has seen so many exceptional events over the past 96 years and no doubt will see many more in the future.