From champagne and candy canes to finding a mouse all through each house, Holiday Home Tour weekend will be chock full of seasonal cheer, and it’s just weeks away. Here’s a breakdown of what the weekend has in store, and how you can be a part:
Thursday, November 29th
Champagne & Candy Canes: The 2018 Holiday Patron Party
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
1219 Heights Boulevard
The 2018 Patron Party kicks off the holiday season in a unique, artful setting: the gorgeous gallery/storied studio/happening home of artist John Ross Palmer and Ryan Lindsay. Even Co-Chairs Heather Williams, Laura Parkan, and Elizabeth Poirrier have painted a wonderful evening for you to mix and mingle with your neighbors, wth tasty bites from Lemond Kitchen and, of course, champagne and candy canes.
This is always a fun and fairly casual fundraiser, and it is open to all who wish to attend. Tickets are available for purchase here, and each individual or couples ticket garners you a limited edition, one-of-a-kind, signed and numbered ornament by Palmer himself! If you’re unable to attend, you can also buy an ornament by itself here. No two ornaments are one of a kind, and this is sure to be a party unlike any other too.
Friday, November 30th & Saturday, December 1st
When All Through the House: The 2018 Holiday Home Tour
Friday 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Saturday 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Five pristinely decorated homes in the Houston Heights will come to life on Friday, Nov. 30 and Sat., Dec. 1 for the bi-annual HHA Holiday Home Tour. From the oldest home built in 1903 to the newest built in 2005, each home has a unique take on the holiday spirit and takes plenty of inspiration from the historic character of the neighborhood. This year’s theme “When All Through the House” offers an air of nostalgia of holidays pas with live holiday music playing at each homet. Co-Chairs Danielle Stewart and Karen Derr couldn’t have designed a more whimsical way to explore the homes this year with the addition of a scavenger hunt of a stuffed mouse stirring somewhere through house. Tourgoers will spot the mouse, snap a photo, and email it to holidaytour@houstonheights.org to qualify for prizes from area shops including Jubilee, Mary & Moss, and Big Blue Whale.
Without further ado, the featured homes and homeowners of this year’s tour are…
921 Heights Boulevard – One of three Victorian homes on Heights Boulevard, this early 1900s home owned by Linda and Neal Cannon has undergone a total remodel since it was purchased in 2007. Fun fact: a ghost named Emily reportedly lives in the house. The Head Docent is Anna Gray, and flowers are provided by Darlene’s Flowers and Gifts.
919 Oxford Street – While this Queen Anne Victorian Cottage owned by Sharon and Britt Dearman underwent significant renovations, the placement and size of the front and back wooden porches, windows and doors all match the original home. The Dearmans categorize their style as “eclectic transitional” and chose a mix of old and new, neutrals and brights when styling their home. The Head Docent is Kit Davis, and flowers are provided by Bramble & Bee.
747 Beverly Street – Despite being the newest home on the tour, this home owned by Marie Louise Crozat and David Honeycutt built in 2005 employs traditional and historic elements throughout. A lifelong interest in preservation inspired the addition of two early 1900s stained glass art panels originally from a Byzantine Catholic Church and a front door obtained by Adkins Architectural Antiques in Houston. The Head Docent is Bill Dijak, and flowers are provided by Lanson B. Jones.
505 E. 23rd Street – When this home owned by Ken Yancey and Roberto Araujo was built in 1997, it was the first new construction north of 20th Street. The Farmhouse Craftsman home features an extensive collection of original Texas art and family heirlooms from the 1800s. The Head Docent is Gilbert Perez, and flowers are provided by Regina Gust Designs.
419 W. 23rd Street – Originally built in 1925, owners Terri and Wes Fiandt have continually updated the home since purchasing it in 2013 while maintaining the original bungalow look and feel. The owners most enjoy the many porches, vintage lights, 12-foot ceilings and stained glass in the living room and master bath. The Head Docent is Nick Eronko, and flowers are provided by Heights Floral Shop.
Advance tickets are available here and can be picked on each day of the tour at the Fire Station, where shuttles will be available to carry you and yours around the homes. As always, we will need all the volunteer help we can get! If you are interested in docenting or helping at the Fire Station or shuttles, email volunteer@houstonheights.org.
Saturday, December 1st
Photos with Santa at Donovan Park
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
John Daugherty, Realtors and the Houston Heights Association will once again host Photos with Santa at Donovan Park. All area families are invited to visit with Santa and take a professional photo with Santa for FREE.
