Friday, Nov. 28, 2008

Holiday Home Tour

'Home for the Holidays’ Set for Dec. 7

By Lynda Sanders & Joel Molberly

Guest Columnists

For the last two decades, the Colleyville Woman’s Club has selected exclusive homes for its Holiday Home Tour. This year, they celebrate with the 24th annual tour, showcasing local homes. The event is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advance tickets are $20, or $25 the day of the tour. Proceeds will benefit the various charities the group serves.

Descriptions of the five homes on the tour follows.

7212 Trianon Court, Colleyville

As you approach this lovely Tanglewood home you might assume that the side entrance is actually the front. This first glimpse of the home with steps leading up to the heavy iron door with glass panels flanked by two huge lion planters give no indication that it is the side of the home.

The front actually lies some distance away and around a corner with manicured lawns right up to the fence where you see longhorns grazing in the neighbor’s pasture.

To say the home is stately would be an understatement. The home is well proportioned and elegant.

Entering the side door you are greeted by a lovely four-door antique vaisselier. The library is to your left and you are immediately introduced to the whimsy that resides inside this home. Peering ahead you see over the massive fireplace a portrait of a mouse, a portrait by artist Danny Pedigo, who has been commissioned to create other equally intriguing pieces throughout the house.

The step-down alcove off the library features a domed coffered ceiling with seating for a quiet respite.

The owners have incorporated the same spirit of excellence and splendor that has resided in royal homes for centuries, and included a sense of whimsy.

The "front" door is actually a heavy carved wooden gothic-style door with stained-glass insets leading into the living area.

The main staircase has beautifully crafted oversized balustrades. The home is a great repository of decorative arts, paintings, furniture, ceramics and tapestries.

Outdoor fountains decorate the indoors. St. Francis of Assisi is here, encased in glass.

The dining room houses a large round table set directly below the beautifully detailed ceiling.

In the kitchen, Old World charm is complimented by a wonderfully modern Viking range along with MacKenzie Childs pieces with their unmistakable black and white checks.

Casual stools set up to a bar area in the kitchen while it backs up to a more formal eating arrangement with a handsome long wooden table and tapestry-backed chairs with leather seats.

The den or family area off the kitchen provide animal-print wing chairs in front of an inviting fireplace in a room containing antique chests and cabinets.

The house is truly fit for a king, and you begin to believe this when you enter the "his" and "her" area of the master suite.

The "queen" side is detailed in subtle colors and the "king" side is resplendent in reds complete with a little "king" figure on the counter. As you leave you have a sense of well-being, knowing that undoubtedly, "They Will Live Happily Ever After."

1005 Pauls Path, Colleyville

The home of Jim and Carol Davidow, built by Swift Lindley of Swift Custom Homes, is in Warwick Parc. This splendid home reflects a contemporary European flair with a subtle French provincial influence. Intricately detailed masonry combined with perfect symmetry is not only eye-appealing, but stately in character.

As you enter the foyer, you are immediately drawn to the Italian Murano blown glass rotating on a pedestal. In addition, a treasured piece of the Davidows, with historical significance, is the 100-year-old pastel of Jim’s Great Aunt, Fay Hand, also displayed in the foyer. Fay was a member of New York’s "400." Lady Astor, known for her lavish parties, could only fit 400 people in her ballroom, and the regulars became known as such. Fay’s husband, James Hand, was a direct descendant of Gen. Edward Hand of the American Revolution.

The formal area is exquisite and boasts an ornate fireplace, soaring ceilings and a wall of two-story windows with a panoramic view of the pool. A subtle Asian ambiance sets the tone in the living room.

The kitchen and family room have enormous entertainment potential. Special features in the kitchen include imported Brazilian granite, stainless appliances, custom maple cabinetry, display cabinets, large island with storage, butler’s pantry and wine closet.

Casually sophisticated, the family room features a large entertainment center with corner fireplace and direct pool views.

The master suite is a private oasis that features a tiered ceiling, large sitting area with arched entry, private egress to the pool, and a spa-inspired decorator bath with a large walk-in closet.

As you climb the wrought iron winding staircase to the second floor, you see an area that makes for an ideal children’s retreat and family gathering center. There is also a game room and media room that is central to three bedroom suites.

The combination of luxury and comfort extends to the back yard, a living area most often used in three of the four seasons. The outdoor covered living area features a dining and sitting area with a floor-to-ceiling stone and brick fireplace.

The pool features underwater seating, waterfalls and water spouts.

5501 Montclair St., Colleyville

Approaching this sophisticated home, you are immediately put at ease by the quiet drive with tranquil pond and fountain. The home of John and Heather Rollins is grand, but inviting. As you step inside the stone- and wood-inlaid entry you recognize at once that the interior epitomizes gracious hospitality.

There is much to see as you gaze up at the beautifully-painted cupola rising above the curving custom staircase embellished with iron railing. A royal pedestal table, laden with family photos anchors the entry.

While full attention to detail is obvious throughout the house, it is the subtle charm that embraces you as you enter. It offers subdued colors, warm and rich. Room-to-room, the walls are quiet and tasteful.

This Larry Stewart home includes plenty of space for the growing family. The newest addition to the Rollins clan is 10-month-old daughter, Georgia. Her room is decorated in pale green and rich brown. Hanging on the wall are the framed his/her "coming home from the hospital" outfits that both her mother and father wore in 1977 and 1975, respectively. Sister Isabella’s room, directly across the hall, is decked in chartreuse and lavender in both the bedroom and bath. An antique rocking horse resides in her room along with a Madame Alexander doll collection.

The Media Room houses part of John’s guitar collection, including ones signed by Dave Matthews and another by Willie Nelson.

The master bedroom is where style and comfort prevail giving the room dimension. The aqua and chartreuse colors are relaxed and natural with subtle details. There are a number of sentimental elements reflecting Heather’s Texas heritage, like the antler chandelier. The antelope head in the family room belonged to her great-grandfather.

The loggia is open and inviting, filled with outdoor furniture; neutral curtains hang in the archways. Design creates indoor/outdoor fluidity. A separate exercise room is complete with the latest equipment. Beyond, is a guesthouse to make anyone feel at home.

88 Village Lane, Colleyville

This Jim Gilbert custom villa of Classic Touch Homes, LLC, is in the center of Colleyville’s most exciting new concept for modern life styles. The Village at Colleyville offers an array of businesses, City Hall, the library and recreational opportunities. The private club house has a pool and an entertaining venue that residents can enjoy.

88 Village Lane is a luxury condo villa belonging to Waguih Guirguis, and features three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a large family room and game room, and four balconies providing a 240 degree panoramic view of the Village. The grand entry is breathtaking with a 22-foot soaring ceiling and a stone fireplace rising to the second level. One immediately feels the Old World Tuscany influence in the 5-inch plank wood flooring, troweled and faux painted and glazed walls, and the bright airy feeling from the openness of the first floor. The interior is decorator-neutral with a light tan glaze on the walls reflecting a soft leather appearance. The gourmet kitchen will fill the needs of the most demanding cook and is integrated into the main living area to provide great traffic flow and entertainment potential. Highlights include two pantries, granite counter tops, island, stainless appliances with double oven, rich custom cabinetry, and a 40-inch, five-burner gas cook top.

The master suite provides privacy, luxury and comfort. There is a step-up ceiling, rope lighting and a large walk out natural slate balcony. The bath with separate shower and the jetted tub is sublime with travertine floor and a large walk-in closet.

An elegant wood and wrought iron staircase leads to the second level and the large game room. This room is ideal for most indoor games and could easily be used as an entertainment center. A 600-square-foot balcony overlooks the heart of the Village. Two additional bedrooms upstairs share a large bathroom.

As you tour the villa, you will note that little expense has been spared in luxury amenities and other high-value features.

600 Shady Oaks Drive, Southlake

The home of Frank and Brenda Ritz is an Italian country estate of incomparable beauty and charm built by Ritz Properties. As you tour this home, you quickly realize this design is atypical for the average family as it breaks all the rules for luxury baby-boomer living. The genesis of the design occurred on an airplane when Frank and Brenda sketched, on a napkin, elements of the best features of homes they have lived in or built. The result was a very different concept, which embodied their passion for family, entertaining and supreme quality over size. They turned over their ideas to architect Skip Blake, and the design evolved around a breakfast table 11-feet long that seats 12.

There is a bedroom suite to the left and one to the right of the gallery. Each has it’s own bathroom displaying unusual and elegant fixtures, floors and accessories. Straight ahead you enter the "great" room, the hub of family life. With 27-foot ceilings and a massive hand-hewn beamed support structure, it is reminiscent of the great halls seen in European castles. Adjacent is a family dinning area with a presentation buffet filled with dazzling collectibles. Integrated within the great room are the kitchen and beverage rooms.

This kitchen is a study of functionality blended with an artist’s influence. Although the copper sink is Brenda’s favorite feature, most of us would swoon over the stainless 60-inch Wolf stove, the Asko dishwashers and the Sub Zero refrigerator, freezer and wine cooler.

Would you believe Brenda’s favorite area is the utility room, or as she calls it, her everything room? She uses it as her craft room, business hub and daily event and planning center.

The master retreat is a special highlight. Take special note of the custom blackout drapes, bed accessories and gorgeous decorator colors.

The decorator bath is both graceful and unique. It displays a striking large black soaking tub, oversized wood windows, a fireplace and beautifully detailed stone and ceramic tile.