NORRISTOWN — On Friday, December 12, the Norristown Garden Club presented its Diamond Jubilee 75th Annual Holiday House Tour.
The dedication of the club to put this event on without interruption is notable. The first tour, in 1950, took place when Harry S. Truman was president. It has spanned 14 US presidents, countless hemlines, space travel, trends in home design, and the invention of computers in our pocket that take us away with the push of a “button.” This tour, though, is always special, because it brings us back to that concrete, warm, and beautiful place called home.
Year in and year out, the club members deliver interesting ideas and gorgeous handmade decorations to suit every taste. While the holiday garnish is the focus of the tour, the houses themselves are also inspiring. This year’s tour was no different. An eclectic mix of architectural styles, decorated from the unique perspectives of many club members, truly offered something for everyone.
We start in Norristown, at the Ward home, where we experienced “A Traveler’s Holiday.” Our traveler, Zelda, awaited us on the porch, all dressed up in greenery and ready for travels. We join her and her “canine” traveling companion (made of moss, with a bow collar and tartan hat) as they visit England, Germany, Mexico, and Norway. This home was built in 1920, with many interesting architectural details. Walking into the foyer, we were struck by the lush, romantic treatment of the balustrade. Fresh and dried flowers and greens spilled lavishly over each rail, with deep red ribbon bringing out the highlights of the gleaming antique oak stairs.
The inspiration for the English theme in the living room, was the Inglenook fireplace in the corner. The tree was decorated with traditional greenery, dried fruit, and iconic English symbols such as the red phone booth and tea cups. Also gracing the windowsill in the living room, were beautiful arrangements, held by vases repurposed from antique English industrial bobbins.
Next, we had dinner in Germany. The dining table is set, and volunteer-made gingerbread houses marched down the center of the antique oak table. A room dedicated to Germany is especially relevant to the holiday house tour—the Christmas tree tradition originated in Germany in the 16th century. Gingerbread houses also originated in Germany, in the early 1800s, inspired by the tale of “Hansel and Gretel.” In the corner of the dining room nestled a suitcase, packed with holiday gifts (naturally, wrapped in colors that matched the room’s décor) and with miniature nutcracker dolls—another German development from the 1700s.
In the kitchen, we had a holiday celebration in Mexico– inspired by the owner’s collection of handsome succulents in the window. Mexico’s celebrations are filled with color. Poinsettias originated in Mexico and were used by the Aztecs for dye and medicine. The plant was introduced to the U.S. by Joel Roberts Poinsett in the 1820s, and its name comes from him. A clever taco plate made from fresh flowers was one highlight of this room.
We reluctantly end our travels with a visit to Norway—on the outside rear porch (fittingly chilly!). Here we find beautifully arranged greenery; children’s skates and skis made of natural materials; friendly evergreen gnomes; and much-appreciated hot cocoa.
From European-inspired Christmas décor, we went to the Branco home in Jeffersonville, which was rooted squarely in Pennsylvania: “Christmas from Penn to Present.” The Brancos are the 20th owner of the property, with the first being William Penn. The farmhouse dates to 1769 with the last addition being in the 1950s. Displayed throughout the house are the family’s many treasured collections, which were highlighted in each room.
The tree in the dining room featured the Brancos’ extensive White House ornament collection, with garlands hand-strung by club members. Over the mantel is a picture painting that is very meaningful to the homeowers; it’s a picture of the building where they first met, over 60 years ago. The decorators made an arrangement of greens to echo the beautiful lines of the painting. We saw this same treatment of a favorite oil painting in the Ward home as well. The idea that flower arrangements can enhance the existing art in a home, is a takeaway from this year’s tour.
Scenes from the Norristown Garden Club Holiday House Tour. (Photo courtesy Norristown Garden Club)
Scenes from the Norristown Garden Club Holiday House Tour. (Photo courtesy Norristown Garden Club)
Scenes from the Norristown Garden Club Holiday House Tour. (Photo courtesy Norristown Garden Club)
Scenes from the Norristown Garden Club Holiday House Tour. (Photo courtesy Norristown Garden Club)
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Scenes from the Norristown Garden Club Holiday House Tour. (Photo courtesy Norristown Garden Club)
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The kitchen was added in the 1950s and is the last addition to the house. Mrs. Branco’s collections of vintage cans, iron, toys, Santas and other old items decorate this side of the kitchen. A cake on the counter, which was made by a Garden Club member, replicated the Branco home.
On one of the trees in the kitchen was Mrs. Branco’s Christmas spoon collection. Here the members used the spoons as ornaments, then integrated tea balls with dried flowers, cups, and garland to make a unified theme. The chairs at the breakfast table are vintage church chairs from St John’s Episcopal Church in Norristown which Mr. Branco refinished and then rushed. Garden club members festooned the backs of the chairs (which had originally contained hymnals) with festive seasonal décor.
Scenes from the Norristown Garden Club Holiday House Tour. (Photo courtesy Norristown Garden Club)
Scenes from the Norristown Garden Club Holiday House Tour. (Photo courtesy Norristown Garden Club)
The living room featured handmade angels around the room, all created by Norristown Garden Club members using lace that had belonged to Mrs. Branco’s aunts and grandmother. On the piano, is Mrs. Branco’s father’s treasured music box from the 1860’s. At the desk, Mrs. Branco writes to her English pen pal, Patricial Gray, to whom she has written for 73 years and actually met in 1978.
From this historic home, we went to the Ramroop-Nedelka home, a contemporary design, overlooking the Westover Golf Club. Coincidentally, the original home, built in 1973, had belonged to a former garden club member. The current owners transformed a lovely 70s-style home into a breathtaking modern living space. The light and airy feel of this home inspired the theme, “The Magic of Nature at Christmastime.”
Entering the home, we looked up at the windows where unique stars, that appear to be winking at us, replaced the traditional wreaths. In the light-filled living room, we saw much evidence of nature brought inside, especially in the large Christmas tree, painstakingly decorated with flat round ornaments with unique pressed flower arrangements on each one; stars made from milkweed pods; small wooden stars; gold spray-painted magnolia; Allium sprayed white with glitter added; Hydrangea; Ting Ting; and Kusudama origami flower balls made from book pages. Each elaborate Kusudama flower ball consisted of 12 “flowers” put together into a ball, and each flower had five “petals,” for a total of 60 petals individually folded and glued together. The petals themselves were made from book pages.
We also enjoyed new treatments of the owners’ succulents, and a whimsical bird’s nest made from golf balls that had accidentally come into the yard. We saw again, a piece of art augmented by flowers; in this case, orchids creating the impression of snow in the foreground of a winter forest silhouette.
Traveling toward the kitchen, was a dog door—complete with a roof, a welcome mat, and a stocking. The roof to this door was a reference to the magic world of Harry Potter. The owners are enthusiastic fans of Harry Potter, so many decorations throughout the home paid homage to the themes and characters in the books.
In the airy kitchen, a tree made from paper cones, dried fruit, and cinnamon sticks popped against the dark green cabinets. A small tree made of cookies sat delectably on the counter. The long granite countertop was graced with a beautiful arrangement set on a long bamboo base.
As we left, we passed by the only wall from the original space—red brick adorned with trees of bark and mosses maintained a feeling of warmth in the space.
From here we traveled to Blue Bell—or should we say, Armenia. The rich Armenian heritage of its occupants is abundant in our next stop, where we found a treasure-trove of Armenian art, food, and culture as both homeowners, husband and wife Rich and Melissa Selverian, and their children and grandchildren are of Armenian descent. The theme of this house was apt: “An Armenian Christmas.”
As we entered, traditional Armenian and folk music played in the background.
The table was set in the formal dining room, with a white and gold centerpiece and a lovely garland hanging from chandelier. The dining room wall showed family portraits dating back generations. The tributes to Armenian history were too numerous to name—but the dedication of multiple generations, past and present, to Armenian heritage was evident everywhere one looked in this home. For instance: a lighted, miniature 3D-printed replica of the Etchmiadzin, the head of the Armenian Church; the linen manuscript of the Armenian alphabet; the proud display of Armenian-made Christmas ornaments; the library of Armenian literature; and of course the delicious and abundant Armenian cuisine.
Heading into the kitchen, a delightful arrangement of pomegranates stuffed with fresh flowers and greens sat on the counter. Pomegranates, figs, apricots, and nuts are a mainstay of any Armenian table. Closeby were intricate pine-cone trees ornamented with dried fruits. We saw favorite traditional foods prepared by the owner, and learned that every meal begins with the Armenian version of bon appetit – “paree akhorjag” and ends with “Anoush ullah,” may it be sweet!
Armenian wine and spirits were proudly displayed on the bar; we loved especially the herd of reindeer made from corks, and the bottle sleeve made in the shape of a traditional dress.
The Christmas tree and adjacent hearth were donned in white doves and gold ribbons in salute to the traditional Armenian Christmas tree.
Firewood on the deck was artfully arranged and decorated.
The last stop on the tour brought us back, “Home for the Holidays.” The Catalino family’s light-filled Georgian-style home in Lansdale exuded hospitality, with each detail thoughtfully arranged to celebrate the season. As we entered, a beautifully decorated sleigh on the sideboard invited guests further inside. The dining room, with artfully folded napkins in the shape of a Christmas tree, featured evergreens and florals on the table and around the room–including white pine, cedar, holly, curvy willow, dried hydrangea, and white mums.
The children’s Christmas table was a joyful burst of holiday magic, dressed with whimsical button trees that shimmered with color and charm. Trees fashioned from buttons by the owner hung from the chandelier. A cheerful candy cane centerpiece stood tall in the middle, filling the space with sweet festive spirit. Each chair was topped with a playful Santa hat and held a treat bag, ready to delight small hands and big imaginations. At every place setting, a homemade cookie—crafted lovingly by the homeowner—served as a unique napkin ring, adding a personal, delicious touch.
Nearby, a playful hutch completed the scene, showcasing the homeowner’s pottery alongside mischievous elves, toys, and little succulents, creating a charming backdrop of creativity and holiday whimsy.
Next we were welcomed to Catalino’s Candy Cane Kitchen! Flower arrangements, hanging photo frame wreaths on the windows, and candy cane ribbon trees were all crafted by NGC Club members. We loved the pairing of textures of the ribbon trees and fresh-strawberry trees.
A Kokedama, a traditional Japanese bonsai art form where plants are enclosed in spheres of soil and moss, was displayed on the ottoman.
A family home for the holidays would not be complete without a man cave. Whether relaxing in comfort or cheering on the Fighting Irish, this room’s decor reflects the family’s unwavering support of Notre Dame. A small tree featuring Notre Dame ornaments and memorabilia was proudly displayed.
As the tour draws to a close, many thanks and congratulations go to Olivia Brady, the general chair of this year’s tour. Both longtime and new club members collaborate and work for months to bring this annual event. It starts in the summer, with the identification of houses. As the fall wears on, each selected site is designated a chair. Among other details, there are budgets to contend with, schedules, and of course, the weather. All for the benefit of over a thousand tourgoers, put together by scores of volunteers. The proceeds of the tour go to fund the NCG scholarship program, and other community endeavors.
As tourgoers have grown to rely on, fresh flowers and greens, interesting ideas, stunning flower designs, and handmade decorations are the hallmarks of this popular tour. Ginger Hunsicker, the president of the Norristown Garden Club, remarked that what inspires her most about the tour, is the reaction of the homeowners: “A fresh look at their home makes them fall in love all over again.” Readers who would like the club to consider their home for future holiday tours, or who are interested in joining the Norristown Garden Club, are invited to contact the club through its website: norristowngardenclub.org.
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