Penny O’Connell and her daughter Kathy Gershwind have always loved decorating for the holidays. O’Connell has collected Santas: fat, thin, old and new for many years.
Visitors to the 14th annual Snohomish Historical Society Holiday Parlor Tour on Sunday will get to see firsthand the work and love that many Snohomish residents put into their homes for the holidays, among them Gershwind’s Avenue D home.
Although Gershwind and her husband, Ron Gershwind, moved to their 1904 home four years ago, this is the first time they’ve been part of the Holiday Parlor Tour. The tour raises money to support the Blackman House Museum, Old Snohomish Village Museum and an archive facility.
Step into the Gershwinds’ living room and immediately visitors will see how Kathy Gershwind and her mother have paid much attention to detail.
“It’s been fun decorating,” O’Connell said.
Alcoves on either side of the fireplace have shelves lined with evergreen branches and cottony snow. Silver reindeer hold six round white candles in their horns and tiny frosted trees are perched on the mantel.
On one shelf is a tiny metal stand-up Santa that O’Connell brought back from a trip to Munich, Germany, in 2001. He stands next to a plate of vintage Christmas ornaments that are about 65 years old. They belonged to O’Connell’s mother. These delicate heirlooms have been passed from mother to daughter to granddaughter.
In the sitting room is a live tree potted in a clay flower urn. It’s decorated with plum Christmas balls and green and red ribbon. A silver antique box on a small table is given a simple and tasteful treatment with red and orange ribbon.
“It’s great stuff from local merchants,” O’Connell said.
Moving along to the bottom of the stairway that leads to the second floor, visitors will find a whimsical corner.
“This is new this year,” O’Connell said.
Red and pink feather boas are draped on the banister and a green boa forms a wreath on a mirror.
Upstairs a silver glittery “Winter Dreams” sign hangs in the guest bedroom and an angel decorates the doorknob of a glass-fronted display cabinet, her pink hair a perfect contrast to the white shabby-chic chest. The angel is a childhood memento of Gershwind’s.
A tiny Santa in a hot air balloon hangs from the light fixture.
Downstairs in the kitchen the table is set in holiday array. O’Connell and Gershwind painted pumpkins and silver. Smaller pumpkins were painted a muted pink then sprinkled with glitter for a soft holiday effect.
Also on the kitchen table in a vase are some branches Gershwind had kept since summer. The leaves had fallen off and she painted the bare branches silver giving an icy wintery feel.
“Not only would you get to see some intriguing houses,” on the tour O’Connell said. “But you get some great ideas.”
Tour visitors will go through the front door of the Gershwind home and exit through the back kitchen door. A couple of the other residences on the Holiday Parlor Tour can be reached easily from the rear of her home.
Visitors can walk or drive to Debbie Paulson’s home on Maple Avenue where she too will be a first-time host on the parlor tour. Paulson moved to this recently renovated 1904 row house in April. The first floor will be open to tour.
A beautifully decorated Christmas tree stands in the front parlor window of this tidy little place. The tree is adorned with ornaments and trinkets Pauslon has collected through the years.
“My sister and I both love old homes and the holidays,” Paulson said.
A group of doll carolers clad in blue velvet and grouped on a chest, their heads tilted up in song, represent family members, Paulson said.
Green garland on the mantel is draped on a Victorian crazy quilt cover. The four heavy cream-colored tassels give the fireplace, with glass candlesticks and cream candles, an Old World feel.
A Fitz and Floyd Santa water pitcher is an unusual but beautiful feature in the parlor. He’s an old time Santa with a bunny rabbit at his feet.
“I’ve had him for years,” Paulson said.
In the dining area Paulson has her table set with Christmas ware including napkins and delicate china. On the sideboard is a stack of Spode vintage Santa plates, a gift from her sister.
A Christmas tree in the kitchen is decorated with lollipops and strings of candies. Cakes, cones and slices of pie go with the tea theme that includes cups, saucers and teapots.
It takes Paulson anywhere from three weeks to a month to decorate for the holidays. and she’s happy to do it for the Holiday Parlor tour.
“It’s a great cause,” Paulson said. “A great fund-raiser.”
Reporter Christina Harper: 425-339-3491 or harper@heraldnet.com.
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