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Thursday, December 16, 2010

A Christmas Tour Of Homes

Last weekend Bill & I went on a most lovely tour of homes. The Grafton Hills area of Dayton is near downtown. Stately, grand old homes line the streets and what a treat to get inside and see them all dressed in their Christmas finery!

I don't have interior photos of some of the homes to share as the owners asked that their spaces not be online. I hope you enjoy those I can show you!

As always, you may click on any photo and make it larger.




This home is owned by a young couple and is definitely colonial but with a modern twist!





This next house was a lovely arts and crafts style home.
Isn't the little table top tree fashioned from old books adorable?








I mist admit that this next beautiful gem was our favorite.

Each room was a delight to see...

Aren't the hydrangea swags just glorious?

The tree was stunning and filled to the brim with glass ornaments!



I loved this sweet collection of antique tree toppers.



But it was the kitchen and pantry area that made me fall head over heals in love!
This home was originally owned by an art glass maker. His talented handy work
is showcased inb these spaces...


You can see bits and bobs of the glass in these photos but I also wanted you to see
 the charming pantry!
The red and white color scheme was wonderful! I loved it!

Here is a better shot..the glass goes floor to ceiling and literally wraps the pantry and kitchen.


Her counters were honed granite and resembled soapstone. The touches of black
here just made the red and white pop!





This grand home featured over 20 lavishly decorated trees!










Home tours are always such a joy!
This was the first time we have seen the inside of the homes of Grafton Hills and each one
was a joy to visit. There was hot cider, egg nog and rum, hot coffee and Bailey's, cookies, hot appetizers, cakes and so much more waiting on us at each stop. How much sweeter does it get?

Thank you to the neighbors in Grafton Hills for their hospitality!

I hope you enjoyed sharing it with us!



19 comments:

Stacey said...

Oh how I love to tour old homes. Thanks for taking us along!

Salmagundi said...

Hi Sue! Thanks so much for taking us on the tour with you. We used to have grand home tours around here, but not anymore. I so miss them. I can't believe the tree toppers on that one table - there must have been about 25 of them - makes my little collection look wimpy!! I've been bad about commenting recently, but always enjoy your posts. Grace looked lovely for her concert. How is your Mom? Haven't seen her in a picture for awhile. Hope she is well. I'm about ready for Christmas, and the grandkids are MORE than ready. I have to keep reminding them why we celebrate. I wish you peace and joy!! Sally

Deanna said...

What a feast for the eyes!! I have a good collection of mercury tree toppers so this photo really made my heart rate go up!! lol!!

Hope you are doing well my darling girl!

Hugs and love,
Deanna :D

Anonymous said...

Hi Susie! Oh, how I loved coming along on these home tours! I just love these. Love peeping inside other folks homes, don't you?
Hope you're enjoying this most wonderful time of the year.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Terri said...

What a fun way to spend an afternoon. Do you think you'll steal any decorating ideas from any of these homes??

I wish I had a butler's pantry like some of those houses do...sigh.

Sugar Bear said...

They are all so warm and cozy. Looks like it was a lot of inspiring fun.
Karla

Justabeachkat said...

Hi sweet friend! Life has sure been busy lately so I haven't dropped by as often as I would like. Holidays can really cramp our blog time, right? Just wanted to say Happy Holidays to you and your sweet family.

Loved this post....so much beauty and so many good ideas.

I'm having a ball at my son's house with the grands, but snuck away for a few minutes for a "blog fix".

Hugs,
Kat

Sharon said...

I loved the walk through the beautiful old home. Looking in to each room is like reading a book about the family. Thank you for the tour. Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year Susie Q.

Sue said...

Wow! I need to take a house tour next year! The interior of your favorite house is wonderful. Who knew what treasures this house would be hiding? The woodwork, the glass, the beauty.... Glad you shared it- sure opened my eyes about this neighborhood! I have seen some St. Anne's homes, though. Amazes me how some people have the time and fortitude to re-do those old homes. I have no patience-I want it all done NOW. Must be the society we live in, huh? Hope to see ya soon. xo Sue

Melanie said...

Sounds like you and Bill had a lovely time. They have a Christmas tour of different homes and B&Bs in St Augustine every year and I have yet to get there. Maybe next year.
I'm getting a silky terrier puppy )like Doc) mid January and I'm very excited! Never trained a puppy so I think I'm in for a bit of a ride!
Take care, my friend. ((Hugs))

Melanie said...

Sounds like you and Bill had a lovely time. They have a Christmas tour of different homes and B&Bs in St Augustine every year and I have yet to get there. Maybe next year.
I'm getting a silky terrier puppy )like Doc) mid January and I'm very excited! Never trained a puppy so I think I'm in for a bit of a ride!
Take care, my friend. ((Hugs))

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I've never been on a holiday home tour, Sue so I really enjoyed looking at your post.! It looks like so much fun! What wonderful homes that you saw. I can't believe that one house had so many beautifully decorated Christmas trees!

Naturegirl said...

SUZIE!
wHAT A DELIGHT to see that you stopped by my blog and
re-connected! I must apologize for not stopping by sooner but life has been so busy in a good way for me this past year! I've not been blogging as regularly as a result!
Now that I'm back..I loved visiting and this post of house tours is so inspiring! I think I also loved the hydrangea garland!!! I must do that next year...I loved the bedroom w/ fireplace!!That tree w/ glass balls and so full!!!
The idea of the tree tops as a centrepiece is wonderful!
Thanks for sharing!
I'm on route to Arizona to spend my winter so stop by for scenes of the desert!
hugs Anna xo

Cozy Home Cottage said...

Merry Christmas, Susie! Thank you for taking us along on the tour. Those houses are GORGEOUS. :-)

Anonymous said...

I love home tours. We went on one this Fall of the civil war historic homes in my area and I never got to post it at my blog. Maybe after Christmas. I am glad some of the folks let you take photos of the inside so we can all see. :) Love that patriotic tree! and the tree toppers. I have two vintage tree toppers but may have to look for more now. Love that idea! Susie Q, I hope you and yours have the merriest Christmas ever and the best 2011. xoxxo Lynn

Deb said...

Hi Sue
Thank you so much for stopping by & letting me know about precious Kipper ♥ Yes, I am sure he and Benny are together xo

The Pleasures of Homemaking said...

Thanks for the tour! I missed my town's holiday home tour so this was fun!

Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

Manuela

Bonnie said...

What gorgeous houses. I couldn't imagine living in one. The decorations were stunning. I just love the tree made out of books. Who would have thought. Thanks for taking us on your magical Christmas tour. I enjoyed it! Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family.

Terri Steffes said...

I think I am liking the Grafton Hill home the best. I love older homes but Bob, not so much. I love the trees. I can't get enough of Christmas trees!