CityView Magazine

Most important of all, they keep a candle lit in the window to honor the memory of a loved one. back of the room. The scene sparkles with soft light and shimmering reflections of ice and snow. As we move to the kitchen and family room of the house, more traditional colors dominate. Reds and greens abound on the mantelpiece and in all of the Santa's, candles, Nutcrackers and elves placed throughout the room. The holly wound around the light fixtures above the island offers a dramatic use of these two colors, as do the two spectacular amaryllis arrangements, which sit atop the island. The bar area, which is situated off to the side between the living room and the kitchen and family room, is used to display two of their favorite decorations. The first is a village scene, complete with snow, evergreen trees and small white lights. There is even a motorcycle figurine with two riders who look happy to be out in the crisp winter air. The second is a crystal vase that always contains an arrangement of fragrant white Oriental lilies. The vase, a present from close friends, is among their most treasured gifts. There are soft white lights everywhere throughout the house, especially in the front rooms. These lights accentuate the hues of gold, silver and white, creating an almost magical ef18 | November/December • 2013 fect. This motif is continued outside, especially in the front of the house, where giant, lighted spheres hang from trees and a majestic gold, silver and green garland provides a perfect frame for the front door. From the street, we see the white lights and the soft silver, green and gold landscape. They draw our attention to the front windows in which the tall Christmas tree in the entryway creates a breathtaking view. Beneath the carefully planned and executed surface of this décor lies a great deal of sentiment. The family treasures gifts from family and friends and uses each one somewhere in the house. One friend in particular has lovingly selected many decorative items over the years that have become cherished symbols of their mutual affection and respect. One such gift, a colorful Fitz and Floyd Noah's Ark, sits on the hearth in the family room all year round, not just at Christmas. A Carolina Christmas tree offers a bit of whimsy and Tar Heel spirit in the basement, where footballs and basketballs hang alongside shiny ornaments (Theirs is a mixed marriage—he is a Duke fan while she is a Carolina fan. Friends keep asking him when he is going to get a Duke Christmas tree). A large Santa adorns a tabletop in the guest bedroom, a gift of thanks to a former Holly Day Fair chairwoman. Even the most ardent lovers of the Christmas season must eventually take everything down and pack it away for the next year. They begin on January 6th, a day that many people refer to as "Old Christmas." Two weeks later, they have removed their decorations and stored them in the basement in an area designed especially for this purpose. Any lover of organization would be amazed at the room in which these items are stored. One wall has a gigantic pegboard on which the many wreaths and garlands hang. Another wall has floor-to ceiling shelving filled with carefully labeled boxes and large plastic bags full of holiday figurines and arrangements. Each item has its particular place, and care is taken to see that everything is stored exactly where it belongs. With a decorating job this big, order and detailed planning are absolute necessities. How does it feel when the decorations are all down and the holiday season is finished? They describe themselves as feeling sad at first, then relieved and finally, ready for the New Year. In the meantime, they can enjoy the holiday items that they do leave out all year as a reminder of the generosity and thoughtfulness of their many friends. They can enjoy the excitement and anticipation of Yuletides yet to come. Most important of all, they keep a candle lit in the window to honor the memory of a loved one. CV ONLINE EXTRAS! View additional photos online at www.cityviewnc.com

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