Wednesday, December 1, 2010

This year's tour is December 4–5. See details at the end of the story.

Home of Tracy Bennett. See more photos in the slideshow below.

The home of Bill and Jennifer Horn. See more photos in the slideshow below.

The Home of Rob Godin and Thom Glynn. See more photos in the slideshow below.

This year's tour is December 4–5. See details at the end of the story.

Contemporary. Retro. Sophisticated. Let the homes decorated for the Friends of the Nashua Symphony Holiday House Tour 2009 lift your holiday spirit and inspire your own decorating plans.

New Englander Goes Contemporary

Home of Tracy Bennett

This New Englander is given a contemporary twist with bold, colorful statements by the homeowner. Lime green accents the red touches, while outside the traditional picket fence is draped with greenery and the arbor is hung with silver and purple oversized glass balls. A festive tree adorns the pergola seating area while a fire pit adds warmth to the hardscaping built by Dave Ferris of Tamarack Landscaping in Hudson. (tamaracklandscaping.net)

Tracy honored the Symphony with glittering piano ornaments from Scontsas Home Décor on Main Street, Nashua. Small felt stockings are the perfect place to tuck the serviceware beside the place setting from Pottery Barn. The shabby chic master bedroom is hung with a chandelier and the poster bed is garnished with fresh greens. A small decorative pillow adds the sentiment, "Santa, I want it all."

Slide Show Photos 1-7

All American and Sophisticated

The home of Bill and Jennifer Horn

Cheryl C. Downing of C Downing Interiors used a few of the Horns' cherished Christmas decorations, highlighting their proudly displayed American flag above the fireplace and beautiful hand-knit stockings hung on the mantel. Fragrant mixed greens, natural berries, long curly willow branches and grapevines are mixed about the room with help from Pam and Kristin Condon of Ideas in Bloom. The tree in the family room has white pine branches intertwined for a dramatic look. Two beautiful table settings, one formal with sports tulips in glass cylinders and the other more whimsical, is dressed with Santa plates. Homeowner Jennifer Horn bakes cookies, adding a sense of well-being to this all-American home.

C Downing Interiors, Bedford, www.cdowninginteriors.wordpress.com, www.gsmsnh.com, (603) 320-4307

Ideas in Bloom, New Boston, www.ideas-in-bloom.com, (603) 620-2973

Slide Show Photos 8-13

Colonial Meets Retro

The Home of Rob Godin and Thom Glynn

This antique Colonial looks like an original but is of a recent vintage. The men honor the period with their collection of antiques, and add a bit of whimsy with retro ornaments from the '30s, '40s and '50s.

The cherry diningroom table is set with Lenox China and ornamented with a fan of natural greens from the woods. The toile wallpaper adds a bit of European charm to the room whilte the classic chandelier is festooned to the ceiling with fresh greens and fruit ornaments.

The kitchen has been updated with a glass-tile backsplash and retro kitchen tools, joined by a '50s Santa.

The family room is a blue and green fantasy of light and sparkle set off by white slip-covered furniture and white woodwork. Across the room the white-brick fireplace reflecting the colors.

Window candles and sparkling lighting throughout create a glow, making the home look like a Thomas Kincaid painting from the exterior.

Home owner Thom Glynn now has his own interior design business with Karen Dzendolet. www.eyecatchinteriors.com

Slide Show Photos 14-23

Friends of the Nashua Symphony Holiday House Tour 2010

December 4 and 5, 2010

Home Tours: Noon to 4 p.m.
Langdon Place, 2 p.m to 5 p.m.

Take a peek inside four area private homes and the office of the mayor at City Hall, each dressed for the season. Many homes hosts musicians playing holiday music - from flute to Spanish guitar to vocals. Finish the tour at Langdon Place for refreshments, choral music and a holiday boutique for gift shopping.

This year many of the homes are located in the historic North End of Nashua, including the 18-room Duck Pond House of Richard and Elizabeth Foemmel.

Tickets available on event days at 51 Berkeley St. ($20) or in advance online at www.nashuasymphony.org or select shops downtown. ($15)