Gardeners Present A Holiday Duet

2008 House Tour and Boutique
27 Packard Drive

This majestic three-story home is set back in a small cul-de-sac off a private dead-end street. Visitors lined up along the long driveway eagerly awaiting the 1:00 p.m. entry time to view the home. And the line continued steadily for hours.

The front portico and columns were draped with white pine and arborvitae garland and had been embellished with hot pink mesh ribbon with silver accents. At the door, an enchanted fairy wreath of fresh pines, arborvitae, juniper and glittered balls and twigs beckoned.

Three oversized silver ornaments, elaborately decorated in the general outside color scheme of pink, lime and silver with greens and ribbons, hang from the farmer's porch at the side entrance. On the side entry door a magical fairy is nestled in a whimsical stocking of raspberry pink taffeta material and lavishly trimmed in real mink fur. White wood window boxes hang on this porch and are stuffed full of pine, juniper and mixed greens and decorated with silver balls with pink and green ribbons. All of the exterior decorating was under the direction of Kathi Wood who was ably assisted by Judy Caristi, Linda Mitchell, Kathy Stachowski and Carol Walton.


Due to the inclement weather, guests were warmly greeted by Kathleen Cummings and Gardeners' Guild president, Cathy Sullivan at the side farmer's porch entry. Since a change in the traffic pattern had become necessary, guests were initially invited to view the basement media/entertainment room that had been decorated by family and friends. They then returned to the main floor to view the rear hallway that had been decorated by Annette Sarnessian (chairwoman) and Janice Ricardo. Twin balsam wreaths on double closet doors were embellished with silk white roses and red berries. Potted topiary trees, enveloped with red berry branches, flanked the doors. The back of the entry door sported a swag showing smiling snowmen. The nearby half bath, also done by Annette and Janice, was decorated in a Poinsettia theme. Deep red flowers, soft cream-colored towels and fresh greens attractively complemented the faux painted walls of rich brown.

We followed along to the festive music playing in the elegant kitchen with cherry cabinetry, black granite countertops, glass mirrored backsplash and stainless appliances. This area needed little more to add to it than a lot of mixed green roping embellished with copper colored glittery leaves and gorgeous ribbons and bows of black velvet brocade combined with white, silver and copper accents yet was stunning. Two topiaries, similarly decorated, sat at both ends of the center island along with glass candleholders, creatively entwined with copper wire. White candles glowed and white mini Christmas lights sparkled throughout the room. Swags of the ribbons and greens were attached to the backs of the counter stools. The round glass dining table surrounded by gold fabric skirted chairs, was set for breakfast using fine Lenox China resting on brocade round place mats with gold flatware and Waterford glassware. The centerpiece held beautiful live white and orange roses. The kitchen area was under the direction of Christine Chilstedt who was ably assisted by her usual crew including Bridie Duffy, Christine Duffy, Peggy Duffy and Erin Wilson.

A slider from this area to the back deck showed a bistro table covered with hot pink satin with a sheer green overlay. Several glittering fairies sat amongst an arrangement of fresh greens, reindeer moss, pink and green balls, twigs and ribbons. This area was another worked on by the exterior committee previously mentioned.

Through the columned archway of faux green marble and down one step brought you into the great room. You first noticed the huge painting on the fireplace wall ahead. We were informed that it was of Colorado. Other striking artwork adorned the walls. At the entry a table held the family's intricately carved wooden nativity scene that came from Israel. The largest tree in the home, and there were several, stood in this room and was artfully decorated in the color scheme of gold, bronze and browns and topped with a multi ribbon bow. The mantle over the crackling fireplace was adorned with a variety of fresh greens and the complementary room colors. Ann Toland was chairwoman of this room and was assisted by Mary Fitzgerald, Claire Mulligan and Janine Oliva.

As soon as you entered the dining room the focal point was the huge wreath made entirely of vintage glass ornaments in gold and burgundy colors, both shiny and burnished, different sizes and shapes. The ornaments were glued together and attached to three wire frames as the base. Unbelievably it was hanging on a lovely, large mirror and held only by a suction cup. This wreath was spectacular and elicited many complimentary comments and questions about the construction. Standing on an antique china cabinet were three Christmas trees made entirely of gold Christmas ornaments in varied sizes and also cleverly held together on foam bases. The color scheme in this room was entirely gold and burgundy. The round dining table was set with the homeowner's vintage, gold-rimmed china and Waterford goblets. Presents adorned each plate. The immense crystal chandelier over the table shimmered with the lights and a centerpiece of burgundy and gold glass ornaments sparkled on a bed of greens on a glass pedestal topped off by a center vase holding burgundy Poinsettias. Cathy Avellino and her committee including Lucille Barton, Maggie Byl, Kathy Ostman and Paula Ostman most effectively carried out their theme of elegance.

From the dining room we followed into the living room, a serene and formally attractive room chaired by Barbara Baker and her committee including Anne Dickerman, Jane Gillis and Julie McCarthy. This seemed more of a small sitting room/study after the grandeur of the great room. The furniture was an eclectic blend, as were many areas in the home, with deep color and very attractive. A live boxwood tree accented with rose hips and shimmering gold ribbons sat on a beautiful tabletop. A sleigh led by golden reindeer adorned the Queen Anne style desk and was filled with ornaments and a variety of evergreens. A golden basket filled a corner and was lush with pine, cedar and winterberry. A garland of evergreen sits above the French doors at the room's entrance.

Although guild members did not decorate above the first floor, the homeowner graciously invited guests to view the second floor bedroom and bath areas that had been very attractively decorated by Kathleen Cummings assisted by her family and friends. There was also a third level large sitting room where Irish music played throughout the tour and was enjoyed by many of the guests who chose to climb to the top.

Since the traffic pattern was reversed, guests exited through the front foyer, which was expertly decorated by Carol Morley and Patti Milligan. This area was simply and tastefully decorated using fresh Christmas greens along with light and airy ferns. To showcase the stairway, lighted mixed greens were entwined around the stairs to light the way between the lower and upper levels. The newel post held a lighted swag of fresh greens and live Calla Lilies finished with a double bow of striped and solid satin ribbon. A fresh balsam Christmas tree stood on a table and was decorated with white lights, iridescent stars, glass icicles and topped with a magical crystal fairy. Over each of the four doorways, greens were accented with lime green sparkles, berry-like twigs and centered with a floral ornament. Two lovely lighted and decorated fresh Norfolk Island pine trees stood on draped pedestals on each side of the entrance door.

Special thanks go to the Laura and Brian McGourty and their family along with Kathleen Cummings and her family for graciously offering their stunning homes to be viewed in support of this holiday tradition, which benefits Braintree community projects. And as always, kudos and sincere thanks go to the women of The Gardeners' Guild of Braintree for their untiring efforts in presenting these events and somehow outdoing their own expertise with each succeeding year.

Another facet of the holiday house tour is the boutique sale that is simultaneously held each year. Phyllis Fillion once again was chairwoman of this event and was ably assisted by Etta Forti as well as the Ways and Means Committee.

This year, thirteen vendors exhibited their crafts and products along with nine tables displaying live guild items that had been crafted at various workshops. From the door opening at the Masonic Temple at 10:00 a.m. until the closing at 4:00 p.m., shoppers came steadily to browse and purchase holiday gifts and home decorations. Multiple wire stands were set up along the entry hall showcasing live wreaths and swags. Replacements were hung as each was sold. Not much was left at the end of the day. Each year the guild tries to add more fun and interest to their event. So this year, raffles were added. Each of the outside vendors generously donated one of their special items to the raffle table. Alfredo Aiello stores generously donated a special Italian food gift basket. And Phyllis Fillion donated a Waterford snowman decorated cookie jar. The lucky winners were notified at the end of the day. A great amount of time, effort and devotion goes into producing this event and special thanks go to Phyllis and Etta for their untiring efforts.

Etta Forti and Carmela Varasso, co-chairwomen of the Hospitality Committee, saw to it that boutique guests had delicious and ample refreshments while shopping or just sitting and socializing a few minutes with friends. And Suzanne Ghiloni, ticket chairwoman for the umpteenth year, spent her day at the boutique entry selling tickets and collecting fees, this was in addition to all the preparation done beforehand. Thank you, ladies.

Thank you and happy holidays to all who attended this event and to all guild members for your efforts, which benefit community projects in the Town of Braintree. Hope to see you all again next year!

Images courtesy of   Free Foto