Christmas Around the Town

2007 House Tour and Boutique

The spirit of Christmas abounds as you approached the home of Maggie & Carl Johnson at 17 Brewster Avenue. The colonial style garrison was delightfully decorated as if it we set in Colonial Williamsburg. The lamppost was swagged with pine roping and topped with a red plaid bow. Each window was accented with colorful pomander swags fashioned with a curved row of red delicious apples over boxwood and magnolias leaves. An intricately designed balsam fir wreath of apples, berries, pinecones, and pineapple adorned the front door. The side farmers porch was embellished with pine roping seven symmetrical magnolia-edged apple plaques. The two car-detached garage had three balsam fir wreathes that were also characteristic of the Williamsburg theme. In the nautical window boxes were filled with fresh greens, apples, berries and pineapples.

Continuing with the Williamsburg style, as you entered, there was an apple and lime tree cone. Over each doorway hung a swag of pine and magnolia leaves with a dried pomegranate and berries. At the end of the hall was a beautiful red amaryllis. In the second floor landing the swags with pomegranate continued. On the bench were gifts wrapped in plain brown paper with red raffia. Lights in the front hall fixture were wrapped with berry clusters and the candle scones were decorated with pine and ribbon. The stairway railing was embellished with pine garland and fruit.

The kitchen/family room area beckoned you with the smells of fresh fruits and ginger bread. The decorations were both whimsical and magical with memories of years gone by with gingerbread men, nut crackers, candy trees and snowmen. The tree and window sills brought you to the land of Sweden with an authentic Swedish tree and Tomte Christmas elves of Sweden on the window sills.

On the right as you entered the room you saw beautiful Tiger maple buffet with a wreath made with fragrant balsam, cedar, juniper, laurel, and safari sunset leucodendro with green hypericum berries and moss green ribbon bow reflected in a golden framed mirror. On one side of the mirror, you saw two unique trees made with the Bells of Ireland and gold jingle bells atop crystal pedestals. The antique Grandmother's clock stood proudly in one corner as the Tiger maple hutch in the opposite corner decorated with cedar, laurel and seeded eucalyptus and burgundy hydrangea florets displayed the owner's heirloom Haviland china serving pieces given to her by her mother. The Tiger maple table was set for six with Haviland china white, green and blue flowered plates topped with a white napkin with silver and gold threading. In the middle of the table sets, a fresh arrangement of burgundy Gerbera daisies, light green hypericum berries, light green pom pom mums surrounded by fragrant cedar, seeded eucalyptus and leucodendro.

The living room was decorated using both family treasures and greenery put together by guild members. The Mantel had a lovely family clock with silver trees and star shaped socking holders mixed with assorted greenery. The brass sconce lights were adorned with oval wreaths of mixed greens and gold and silver ribbon. The family tree was decorated with historical and presidential ornaments with a ribbon tree top made by guild members. In the corner of the room there was a magnificent floral arrangement designed and donated by Fabiano's Florists of Quincy.

The master bedroom featured silk garlands around the windows and doorframes embellished with live mixed greens, and ribbons in silk magnolias, to coordinate with the comforter on the king size four posted bed and circled with pine roping. An elegant, curved bed tray sat on the turned-down comforter set for evening tea from Christmas Spode fine China. In the top goblets on the bureau that was also adorned with a footed planter overflowing with live greenery and beautiful white roses. Beside the bureau sat a huge wicker basked filled with pinecones and tiny holiday lights. Byers' Carolers Dolls were featured around the room in their Christmas attire. Lighted cone trees and circled with beads adorn the gentlemen's dresser. The master bathroom was a glow with candles, lighted cone trees and seashells on all surfaces. Intimacy and comfortable elegance were the ambiance in this lovely Williamsburg style room.

Lori and John Jackson home at 891 Liberty St., displayed and captured the charm of the traditional old New England Christmas along with an ode to the heroism that all firefighters stand for. The porch area featured Mr. Jackson's fireman helmet, jacket and boots covered in live greens-swagged over an antique velveteen rocking chair. Besides the rocker stood a topiary tree. A 'Yes Janelle, there is a Santa Claus' poem rested on the rocker. Flowing garland adorns the railing and wreaths hanging on the porch and picture windows. The fire engine red from doorway was decked out in the spray of greens and garland consisting of pines arborvitae rhododendron accompanied by a glitzy red plaid flowing ribbon.

The garage windows were decorated with two eight foot long sprees with local greens along with delightfully decorated earns on either side of the garage doors. Inside the home the grand proportion of the foyer challenged the group to create a spectacular scheme of color, lights, and greens to welcome the holiday guests. Achieved with hues of gold, copper, and espresso imported iridescent chiffon ribbon. The stair roping, chandler and the windows guided you through to the enchanting décor as you tour the house.

Three fresh floral arrangements of white sprayed roses, green button poms, various pine greens, gold and copper accents. Two "s" shaped swags sat upon adjacent counters decorated with pinecones, copper, lotus pods, cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices and gold acorns. Counters were staged with copper "baking stations" and bowls of fresh limes studded with cloves and pierced peels. The kitchen table was set with Royal Dalton china and gold flatware. Four black leather chairs were draped in a lime green silk to coordinate with the raised fresh floral arrangement in the center of the table. The glass table was under lit with tiny white lights amongst white pine.

The Christmas tree in the living room was adorned with sheer gold ribbon bows, various balls in sage, gold and blue, "handmade" beaded ornaments, dried hydrangea in greens and blues and white lights. Packages under the tree were wrapped in hand painted paper. The mantle on the fireplace in the living room had a swag of fresh pine, arborvitae, gold balls and bows. Two fresh floral arrangements flank the gold trimmed mirror, containing Bells of Ireland, reindeer moss, pines and button poms in green.

Rust and copper ribbon and blue iridescent ornaments adorned this lovely formal dining room. Amongst a medley of ornaments, there was an elegant display of crystal vases, candles and a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers. A plate had been set for Santa as he will dine along with the Jackson family. Downstairs bath and hall created an old world charm with creams, gold's and shades of burgundy. Beautiful fresh greens adorned the many doorways. Fresh arrangements in the bath and hall created a holiday feeling with lighted trees welcoming guests into the large hallway.

Our team utilized Natures gifts to create an ambience of elegant simplicity. Garland and oval wreaths made of fresh princess pine, blueberry juniper, arborvitae topped with rhododendron blossoms were draped along the deck. White lights and white velvet ribbons were added to complete the mood of soft holiday romance. On the white rod iron table sat a hurricane white pillar candle surrounded by fresh holiday greens. Further out in the yard, sat Santa's hand crafted wooden red sleigh decorated with lights and fresh green and filled with wrapped presents. A white lit grapevine reindeer wearing a natural wreath grazed in the background.

The Gardeners Guild Tour at 132 Cedar St. featured a classic cedar shingle style home built in 1903. The homeowners, Eileen and Jim Passman had graciously welcomed the public to tour their home. The exterior of the home was embellished with the theme of woodland elegance. The windows were adorned with grapevine wreaths wrapped in assorted greens. The home welcomed its guests with its charming, decorative entrance. White Magnolias graced the doors and decorated the stairway. Two oriental arrangements with fresh greens white flowers and bamboo complimented the oriental art on the wall. Upstairs the bathroom was decorated with miniature white rose. Bedrooms were decorated with red plaid swags, white swags and fruit swags and wreaths.

The dining room was inspired by the Asian influence where the jewel toned color selection of gold, blue and brilliant reds enhanced the homeowners traditional furnishings. The individual place settings were adorned with boxwood, port oford cedar, white pine, cedar eucalyptus, and the Gardener's Guild Signature magnolia leaves.

The living room also had an Asian inspired theme. The homeowners had collected various Asian artwork and an eclectic mix of antiques which influenced their creativity. The tree was adorned with orchards and dried bamboo nestled among ribbons of gold. The antique mantel was beautifully decorated with fresh greens and white orchards. The den was decorated in a "homespun" country Christmas theme. Garlands were made of assorted greens, holly, and berries. The windows were dressed with handmade country valances. Coordinating stockings decorated a seating area. A trio of Christmas trees covered with snow adorned the French doors. There was an array of poinsettias and greenery throughout this room.

The committee made the kitchen bright with the festive twinkle of shining ideas that featured red candle holders accentuating a garland mix of arborvitae, boxwood, white pine, holly, red berries and skimmia. Beautiful floral arrangements played up the colors of the season and added punch to the beautiful rustic kitchen and instantly set a holiday mood.

The Boutique was held at the Masonic Temple at 403 Washington St. The Boutique consisted of holiday decorations, refreshments and baked goods directed by the Gardener's Guild members.

Images courtesy of   Free Foto