Memories of Christmas Past

2006 House Tour and Boutique

For over three decades, the Gardeners' Guild of Braintree has ushered in the holiday season by presenting its popular annual house tour and boutique. The 2006 house tour, "Memories of Christmas Past" was held at the lovely home of Robert and Janice Cusack of 86 Cochato Road. The Cusacks purchased their 1920 stucco colonial home a few years ago and have done extensive renovations. Jane Bagley, Kathy Bowes, and Pam Palumbo were the chairwomen of this year's home.

The boutique, chaired by Etta Forti, was held at the Hollis School. A long line of eager shoppers formed outside the boutique well before the 1 p.m. opening. The boutique featured a variety of decorated fresh, dried, and artificial wreaths, topiaries, swags, and table arrangements. Also available for purchase were hand painted ornaments, hostess gifts, and other holiday decorations. Complimentary refreshments and home-baked treats were provided for guests and served by Hospitality Chairwomen Margaret Johnson and Kathleen Ostman.

It was a perfect December day for the house tour – sunny with crisp, cool air. Guests, visiting the house, were met by Cameron Sullivan who was decked in a black top hat, black coat, and white gloves. As Cameron, son of Guild member Cathy Sullivan, escorted guests up the lantern-lined walkway, they had the opportunity to stop and admire the beautiful decorations that showcased this stately colonial. Chairwomen Sue McKenney, Sue Lebbossiere, Kristina Cullen, and Dawn Montgomery-Murphy embellished the front facade with fresh evergreen wreaths adorned with burgundy and gold accents and an evergreen garland that framed the front entrance. A 1900 buckboard sleigh, laden with presents, graced the front lawn.

Please Come In
Visitors were warmly greeted at the door by Guild President Joanne D'Amico and inside the house by homeowners, Robert and Janice Cusack. The foyer, which was decorated by Kathi Wood, Carol Morley, Joyce Eby, Susan MacCormick, and Elvira Navarro was a warm blend of the old and new features of this 1920 home. Striking black and white family photographs that adorned the sage green walls and the black and white woodwork were the inspiration for the foyer's decorations. The stairway banister that wound to the third floor was covered with a variety of fresh evergreens, crisp fragrant white carnations, red winterberries, baby's breath, and tiny white lights. An arrangement of fresh greens, white roses, and red berries sat atop a hall table draped in lush cranberry fabric. Floor vases filled with black curly twigs, red berries and greens dressed the corners of this room.

From the foyer, guests entered the living room where the family's Christmas tree, as well as the mantel, was decorated with a garland of gold ribbon, sugared fruits, and plum-colored bows. In front of the couch a tray of fresh greens and glittering white candles encircled a magnolia blossom, the Gardeners' Guild signature flower. Plum and apple green hounds-toothed ribbon added a bit of pizzazz to the handmade wreaths and swags. Kerri Eck, Lisa Reid, Karen Connelly, Mary Ann Wilbur, Barbara Sullivan, Laurie Columbus, Diane Tenaglia and Linda Barry were the talented ladies who were responsible for decorating the living room and kitchen.

Leaving the living room, visitors entered the quaint and cozy music room which was decorated by Linda Talbot and Maureen Oriola. The white shuttered windows were adorned with soft handmade sways of fresh pines, laurel, and boxwood decorated with gold French horns, jeweled artichoke hearts, and finished off with bows made with plum-colored ribbon and French ribbon with musical notes. The fireplace mantel garland was made from white pine, laurel, and arborvitae and embellished with raspberries and gold trumpet ornaments. To set the mood, guests were treated to two musical ensembles. Early during the tour, Shay and Jack Cusack's piano teacher, Susan Reilley, and student, Liz DiMascio, performed. While later in the day, Lisa and Julie DiGiusto played the piano and sang holiday songs.

From the music room, guests entered the kitchen. Garlands of assorted greens and fresh fruit lined the window sills. On the counter, various greens and fruits wreathed an antique holiday punch bowl. The table was set with china depicting different scenes from the classic "T'was the Night Before Christmas" and glass hurricanes filled with sugared fruits and greens.

Next visitors ascended the formal staircase to the second floor where they spied on Santa's Workshop. There were signs of past bustling activity. It was evident that the elves had been putting the finishing touches on the toys and Santa had been reading the many letters he had received from good little boys and girls. This sunny room, decorated by Catherine Schiff, Kelly Guilano, and Annette Sarnessian, was adorned with various greens and vintage toys. Satin-finished balls of ivory, teal, and olive hung from gold ribbons from atop the window ledges. Beautiful handmade swags of fresh white pines and balsam firs with accents of gold berries and bronze cones graced the window sills.

Down the Hallway
Down the hallway, in an alcove just outside the master bedroom, was the homeowners' large, oak desk – a perfect spot for addressing the holiday cards. This serene corner continued the black and white theme of the stairway. Cards, writing supplies, and framed holiday images were laid out on the desk. On the desktop were holiday boxes filled with greens and white accent flowers. A black votive candelabrum created warm light in this quiet corner.

The master bedroom was decorated by Lucille Barton, Cathy Avellino, Jane Gillis, and Peg Kelley. A crescent of boxwood, accented with yellow roses and green berries, mirrored the curve of the master bed's headboard. Diamond-shaped wreaths followed the same theme and hung in each window. Three square vases set on the large dresser contained nosegays of yellow roses and yellow calla lilies nestled in aspidistra leaves. A large topiary stood guard at the door of the master bath; another was found on the counter near a tall vase of blush calla lilies. Iris and votive candles brought additional warmth to the room.

After viewing the master bedroom, guests descended the stairs to the dining room. Chairwoman, Claire Mulligan and her committee of Ann Toland, Janine Oliva, Kathy Foley, Marie Picewick, and Mary Fitzgerald were delighted to decorate the dining room. The room was embellished with greens and glitzy ribbon that made the room sparkle. In the side window, a tall slender Christmas tree stood, adorned with gold ribbons and berries. Table runners, made by Janine Oliva, dressed the table. The elegant table was set for dinner with a chair for Santa at the head place. Beside each place setting was a cloth napkin wrapped with red beaded initialed napkin rings. A long narrow centerpiece of mixed greens ran down the center of the table. White pine roping and red beads hung from the chandelier. A tall galvanized bucket hand painted by Ann Toland and filled with a variety of greens and twigs graced one corner of the room. The homeowners' hutch displayed greens and a collection of vintage Santas.

Next visitors passed through the back hallway which included a pantry, a half bath, and coat cubbies. Chairwoman Christine Chilstedt and her committee of Bridie Duffy, Peggy Duffy, Erin Wilson, and Katie Graziano worked together in this area to create a festive atmosphere. Various greens accented with cranberry and gold ribbon, and pinecones were used extensively in decorating doors, windows, a bench, and coat rack. Caroling figurines and assorted greens lent a holiday touch to the side board as did the numerous Santas, candles, and greens in the pantry. The half bath glittered with gold and white poinsettias.

The final room of the house tour was the game room which is the sports and recreation center of this home. Following the general theme, Chairwoman Judy Caristi and her committee of Ann Moore, Joan Palmer, Judy Paylor, and Cathy Sullivan incorporated sports-related materials and props with their holiday decorating. Large wreaths adorned with tennis balls, racquets, hockey sticks and pucks as well as miniature sleds welcomed one's entry into the room. A large Christmas tree was decorated with ornaments fashioned from white practice golf balls glued to varicolored wooden golf tees and garlanded with snowflake embossed ribbon. A giant glittery snowflake topped the tree. Underneath the tree were gift packages wrapped in brown mailing paper and stamped with various sizes and shapes of snowflakes. Snowflakes, pine cone clusters, and mixed garden greenery embellished the many yards of garland adorning the wall of windows. On top of the sofa table was an artfully crafted tree made up of regulation golf balls and reindeer moss. A most unique coffee table was created from wooden crates topped with a wooden sled. This room was a sport enthusiast's Christmas wish come true!

Leaving the home, visitors entered the walled stone patio which Chairwomen Linda Solimini and Kerri Walsh, along with their committee of Stephanie Minchello, Nancy Munyon, and Pat Christopher transformed into an outdoor Christmas show room. The patio featured vibrant colors of tangerine, gold, and red. Dried hydrangeas sprayed red and glittered adorned the Christmas tree. Four large urns and an oversized planter featured natural greens of boxwood, arborvitae, and rhododendron accented with balls of tangerine, gold, and red. A similar centerpiece enhanced the glass patio table and the chairs were backed with miniature sprays of fresh greens. Santa's mailbox was decorated with greens and delicious edibles for Santa and his reindeer. Hanging from the mailbox was Shay, Jack, and Daniel Cusack's Christmas wish list.

Congratulations and sincere thanks to all the creative and talented ladies of the Gardeners' Guild of Braintree for another splendid house tour and boutique. A special thank you goes to Robert and Janice Cusack and their family for graciously availing their lovely home for this wonderful holiday tradition.


Images courtesy of   Free Foto