Home for the Holidays
The Butler County Symphony Association's 20th annual Holiday Tour of Homes Nov. 21 will feature a variety of styles, from new construction to homes built in the 1800s.
One of the newer homes on the tour belongs to Bryan and Hollie Stevenson of Butler Township. Nestled beside Aubrey's Dubbs Dred Golf Course, on Hole No. 4, the Stevenson home features a variety of unusual collections and holiday heirloom treasures. With seven Christmas trees and decorations in every room, it is a holiday delight.
Though the dwelling was built for a different owner, the Stevensons were the first occupants to make the house a home.
"We were relocating from Virginia and this house had been built for a family that got transferred 20 or so days after closing," said Hollie.
The Stevensons wasted no time in filling the house with their collections and heirlooms. Double wooden doors open to a spacious foyer, where Saint Nicholas is standing guard.The family's affection for contemporary art is evident from the first glance into the home. The collection of art was acquired during vacations and travels but also features two works by Tom Panei, a local artist and family friend.The foyer also houses a small painting by their daughter, Clare, while studying under Panei.A staircase to the second floor leads to the bedrooms and Hollie's office. To the left is the vibrant colorful room that reflects the interests and the energy of 13-year- old Clare, who is a dancer and plays in her school band."She chose the colors and we painted the room and did the appliqués," said Hollie. She also noted the Christmas tree in this room is full of ornaments that were given to Clare over the years."When we moved in, this room had a boy theme, so we did a complete makeover to suit her tastes," she added.
A collection of Clare's Steiff bunnies has taken up residence in her room as well.Across the hall is the master bedroom, which boasts a four poster mahogany bed. Doors open to a balcony that overlooks the fairway.Above the bed hangs one of their two works by Panei. The Christmas tree in the corner boasts just a portion of Hollie's extensive collection of beaded purses."I began collecting them when I was in high school. I have one that my grandmother made that I found in a trunk," she explained."Hollie has always found unique ways to display them," added Bryan. "Once they were on the wall as a border."The master suite features a sitting area with a double sided gas fireplace. The bathroom has a stall shower with glass block and, near the fireplace, a corner tub with whirlpool jets. A dressing table is flanked by a lavatory and closet, and a lively painting titled "Merriment," by 19th century Russian artist Yervand Kochar, hangs upon the wall.
Down the hall from bathroom is a well placed laundry room, which eliminates the chore of carrying laundry up and down the stairs.The catwalk above the living area leads from the family quarters to Hollie's office and a guest room, which share a bathroom. One wall in the office is dedicated to family photos."I think originally this room was designed as a nursery," said Hollie, who runs a tour company for school trips abroad. The corner room is quite suitable with great lighting.A walk-through bathroom adjoins the guest room. On the wall in the bathroom is a painting done by Hollie's first music teacher.The guest room is a lovely bright space with an antique curio cabinet filled with Madame Alexander and "Wizard of Oz" memorabilia.Framed advertisements for antique purses and designers decorate the walls along with several prints. A matching marble-topped dresser adds to the nostalgic feel of this room.Back down on the first floor, the formal living room swathed in sage hues is furnished with a settee and baby grand piano.
"The tree in this room is decorated in silver ornaments that I have collected over the years. Many were given to me as gifts," Hollie said.There also is a lovely Vaillancourt Santa collection on the round table. Vaillancourt pieces are actually chalkware made from antique candy molds and then hand painted."My aunt and I have collected these handmade pieces. They are from New England and come out with new pieces every holiday. I've been collecting them for about 12 years," she said.A hallway to the right opens up into Bryan's wood paneled office. Bryan has a collection of Pittsburgh Penguins memorabilia and some model cars."Clare started buying me those for special occasions," said Bryan.Their love for music is most evident here: On the wall in this room is a unique 16th century goat skin wall hanging where calligraphy preserves a Gregorian chant."We were both music teachers and I was a choir director. Hollie got this for me and we had it framed," Bryan explained."Currently, I play clarinet in the (Butler) Musicians Concert Band and we are both on the Butler Symphony board," Hollie added.On the opposite wall is a cityscape image created entirely of cork."My great, great grandfather started the Armstrong Cork company, which eventually became Armstrong flooring. Their offices had these art pieces in them," Bryan said.A school choir Bryan directed in Virginia sang at the White House, and he has displayed letters of thanks from Barbara Bush and one from Ronald Reagan dated his last day in office."It was a thrill to perform there with the choirs, and it was very special to get the notes, especially the Reagan one at the end of his era," he added.Just outside the office is a feather tree that is decorated in Vaillancourt and Radko glass ornaments.In the family room, a totem pole stands stoically in the corner of the impressive space, where dramatic, 25-foot ceilings and windows give a larger-than-life feel to the room.
"The totem was from my grandfather's camp on the Allegheny River. He carved many things, but I really wanted this one, so when they sold the camp, it was given to me," Hollie said.Hollie's collection of antique purses is further displayed under the glass-topped coffee table in the center of this room. The comfortable furniture and huge Christmas tree make this a fun room for celebrating the season. A mantel in the room features Hollie and Bryan's collection of Byers carolers.The formal dining room features a dry bar where Bryan's collection of antique martini shakers can be seen through glass cabinetry. A white pine Christmas tree in the corner is decorated in festive colors that match the Lenox holly china on the table.On the wall are yet more purses, but these are Vivian Alexander ostrich egg purses. Heisey Glassware in the corner cupboard and some family photos complete the decor.The informal dining room opens to a patio with hot tub and outdoor furniture. Above the doors is a shelf with 15 antique coffee grinders, some unique collectibles.Because Hollie likes to cook, the kitchen is outfitted with a state-of-the-art Viking stove top. The granite countertops complement the light maple cabinetry.The tour exits through a mud room to the driveway, which contains a special 1800s icebox Hollie restored with her father while in high school."It came from the old Negley house in downtown Butler," Hollie noted.The Stevensons said while tour goers are experiencing a Christmas preview of their home, the couple will also kick off the season by sharing a toast with Tom and Stacy Panei, whose Butler home will also be on the tour."We plan to celebrate and enjoy dinner with our friends," Stacy said.
