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 Tickets for the tour were issued for a $10 donation with all of
the proceeds going to the H.O.T. fundraising effort for 2016. The
Harvest of Talents is a fundraiser conducted by the Lincoln
Christian Church. The church has been conducting H.O.T. fundraisers
for more than 30 years. In 2015, concluding the primary fundraiser
for the year with the annual Harvest of Talents sale and celebration
day in October, planning immediately began for the next year.
In 2015, H.O.T. raised a record number of dollars for world hunger
exceeding $128,000 for the year.
Marsha Fernandes
Among the homes on the tour was that of Marsha Fernandes. The home
is lovely from the outside with plenty of curb appeal. When the
front door opens, and one is welcomed inside, the experience is a
genuine jaw-dropper.
The home features an expansive open floor plan with large windows on
the far side looking out on a tidy backyard and adding lots of light
into the room. The rich hardwood floors and soft pale colors on the
ceiling and walls, along with the room being “zoned” with a dining
area, family area, and modern open kitchen, give the large expanse a
warm and cozy feel.
Just off the open living area is a smaller sitting room space that
is still large enough to accommodate a grand piano with room to sit
and enjoy the view out the large windows that again, look out onto
the back lawn.
Every room in the house was beautifully decorated, and the addition
of Christmas themed decorations was beautiful, but not overwhelming.
The home featured a corner fireplace in the family area and was
nicely accented with white Christmas décor and a Christmas tree with
white and metallic accents.
The Fernandes home also featured a special guest. Little Miss Logan
County Preslee Sherren was on hand greeting visitors as they entered
and giving each one a chocolate kiss.
Buck and Megan Braid
The home of Buck and Megan Braid is an expansive stone ranch sitting
on a very large lot with a circle drive to the front door. Inside
the home has been extensively remodeled by the Braids. Most, if not
all of the rooms have been redesigned to better accommodate the
needs of the family and create a very comfortable setting for
everyone, including the family pets.
The family recorded their transformation of the home, and in each
room that had been remodeled there were photos on display of what
the room looked like before the work started.
Entering the home, the dining room is the first thing to catch the
eye. The white wainscoting, soft gray walls, and rich dark wood
dining table give the room an elegant feel. On the dining room
table, an antique child’s sled flanked with two black iron
candelabras add a rustic quality to the room that hints of things to
come throughout the rest of the home.
Another lovely attraction is a vintage metal toy horse in the
hallway that again speaks to the style of décor that make the house
a home for the Braids.
The bedrooms are located on one end of the house and were all nicely
decorated for everyday living with subtle hints of the holiday added
to each one with tasteful holiday decorations.
At the other end of the home is an expansive open family area that
includes a completely remodeled kitchen and family room. Off the
kitchen is a glassed-in patio area with a large grill, and
comfortable furnishings. On this day, it was the place where one of
the family pets spent its time, enjoying watching all the traffic
passing through the home.
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A ‘before’ photo of the family room shows that it was once done in
wood paneling making it dark and not nearly as inviting as it is now
that the remodel has been completed. The room is now light colored
with a massive sectional sofa making for a very comfortable place
for the family to gather.
Another feature of the room is the glass tiled fireplace that was
completely re-done by the Braids.
Throughout the house, the Christmas décor delivered a warm rustic
feel with the use of natural materials, vintage and antique pieces
well blended with modern whimsy.
Seth Goodman
Just in time for Christmas, Seth Goodman has moved into his new
construction home, and opened it up for Christmas and the Harvest of
Talents Holiday Home Tour. The modest, three bedroom home is very
nicely appointed with rich wood cabinetry in the kitchen and high
ceilings that give every room a spacious and airy feeling. The
kitchen area is partially enclosed, with an open end leading to the
formal dining area that then flows easily into the living area.
The living area has a warm, homey feel with a nice fireplace flanked
by windows on the back wall.
 The three bedrooms include one specifically decorated with reminders
of Seth’s passion for hot air ballooning. That room also features
twin beds to accommodate his new twin nephews. The master bedroom
features sliding glass doors that lead out to a huge elevated back
deck. The deck is also accessible through glass doors in the dining
room area.
Each of the three bedrooms featured its own Christmas tree
tastefully decorated to blend in with the existing décor.
The Christmas décor in the living, dining, and kitchen area had a
Victorian feel with metallic accents of gold, and copper, and a hint
of modern whimsy mixed in.
The home was decorated inside and out by Seth with some excellent
help coming from Dan Bailey at Three Roses Floral, and Lori Paige of
Bee’s Floral and Landscaping.
Goodman’s home was also the location for the Mrs. Claus Workshop
this year. The gift shop area was set up in the three-car garage of
the home, next to Seth’s balloon basket and envelope bag that was
accented with photo pillows of Seth’s newest balloon Done Deal.
Items on sale at the gift shop included Christmas décor items and
bake sale items, which were all selling well, as several guests were
seen leaving the garage with purchases in hand.
While there were six homes on the tour, three of the homeowners
requested that their home not be photographed for publication.
For any who had the opportunity to take the full tour of all six
homes, it was a treat that must have added to the happy feeling of
Christmas.
[Nila Smith] |
