December Issue 2001
Transylvania County Arts Council in NC Presents Annual Holiday Tour of Homes
Fine art, antiques, and the holiday spirit will highlight the Transylvania County Arts Council's seventh annual Holiday Tour of Homes.
This year's Tour will take place Dec. 15, from 10am-4pm and will feature five beautiful homes and a historic inn in Transylvania County. On this self-guided Tour, guests use their own transportation to determine the pace and order of their visits while discovering sites across the county.
Each site on the tour adds a different dimension to the Arts Council's traditional Holiday Tour of Homes. Some homes showcase collections of art and antiques, some highlight intriguing custom design or other unique features. This year's Inn was selected for its historical significance to the community.
Featured homes on the tour will include:
The Candler Residence. The country French home of John and Linda Candler was completed in 1999 and features antique front doors from Avignon. It sits on a two-acre site adjacent to the Brevard Music Center at the foot of Burrell Mountain. The interior of the home is furnished with a mix of European and Amercian antiques. Works of art by area artists are displayed throughout the home. Additional art includes pieces that the Candlers purchased while vacationing in Provence. The downstairs area features Italian tile floors and a large country French kitchen. The foyer greets guests with a collection of antique English Blue Willow. The living room fireplace mantle is an old French pediment supported by legs fashioned from a Burrell Mountain oak tree. During the Tour, Linda's upstairs workroom will become a boutique for the sale of works by the members of #7 Arts Cooperative.
Chestnut Hill Bed and Breakfast. Chestnut Hill was built by Rev. James Stuart Hanckel and his family for use as a summer home. Built in 1856, it is significant as one of the rare remaining examples of mid-nineteenth-century Greek Revival style frame houses. Noted for its historical and architectural contributions, Chestnut Hill is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Chestnut Hill enjoys an imposing hilltop site overlooking the French Broad River Valley and is reached by a long, winding drive up the hillside through the woods and rhododendron. Experience the charm and history of this home and its 40 acres as it was designed in the 1800s.
Cramer Residence. Stepping from the flagstone entry into the great room of Wilson and Lee Cramer's home, one is immediately surrounded by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The vaulted beamed ceiling, massive stone fireplace, cherry floor and large windows set the stage for a panoramic view of woods and mountains. Unusual ceiling treatments are featured in several rooms, including the morning room, Lee's Victorian style bath and entry. Family antiques furnish every room of the house. Downstairs the "log cabin" family room, with its beamed pressed tin ceiling, stone corner fireplace and large window seat, offers beautiful mountain views.
Fisher Residence. Art Fisher's 2,000 sq.-foot "bachelor pad" was completed in October, 2001. Designed by Brevard architect Al Platt, this condominium overlooks the Long Meadow at Straus Park. The elegant interior was designed by Lynn Monday of Monday's House of Design in Cashiers. The lovely twig mountain furniture was made by Jeff Collins of Cashiers.
Higby Residence. Completed in 1983, the Higby residence was designed, decorated and finished by the owners, Barbara and Paul. Paul is a woodworker who has built some of the furniture and wood art in the house. All landscaping has been designed and executed by the owners, including decks, fences and walks. The home is furnished with family antiques on both levels as well as family paintings, including works by Barbara. The site has a magnificent view of the mountains and valley.
Magnuson Residence. Butterfly Heights, the home of Bob and Lousie Magnuson, sits comfortably on 3 acres high above the shore of Lake Ticoa and offers a breathtaking view of mountains, lake and the town of Brevard. In the great room, a vaulted ceiling embraces a 22'-wide stained glass window, designed by the Magnuson's daughter Laura. The wrought iron railing for the stairway, built by Bear Forge Blacksmith of Brevard, was designed by Louise using the seed pod design of the window. Both Laura and Louise created the artwork and sculptures that can be seen throughout the home.
Tickets for the Tour are $15 per person, which includes admission to a Tour of Homes reception at the Arts Center from noon to 3pm on Saturday. On display at the Arts Center will be the Holiday Show and Sale featuring hand-made gift items created by local artists.
This year's Tour also will feature two special events, hosted by John and Linda Candler in their home: A Taste of the Tour and A Toast to the Tour. By attending one of these events, you automatically become a Tour of Homes Sponsor; and your tax-deductible contribution will go to the Arts Center Building Fund and TCarts programs, including Arts-in-the-Schools and the Performing Arts Series.
A Taste of the Tour, on Dec. 12, will be a festive, candlelit dinner for a limited number of guests. The black-tie-optional dinner, catered by Steve and Beth Womble also will feature musical entertainment by pianist Katherine Palmer. This holiday celebration fundraiser will be $250 per person. A Toast to the Tour, on Friday, Dec. 14, will feature beautiful afternoon and evening receptions to celebrate the season. The Toast will be $50 per person.
To purchase tickets for the Tour of Homes or the associated special events, call the Transylvania County Arts Council at 828/884-2787.
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
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