Holiday Tour of Homes
CONCORD TWP — It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially in the featured homes on the Butler County Symphony Association's 27th annual Holiday Tour of Homes.
Halls are being decked, lights strung, trees trimmed and stockings hung for the tour, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3. This self-guided tour features six local residences trimmed for the holidays.
“Folks love the holiday season. We have had some very unique homes on the tour along with simple homes, too. Everybody enjoys seeing how others decorate for the holidays,” said Sue Morrow, chairman of the event.
She noted many people enjoy the inspiration and ideas they get for decorating their own homes.
One of the major fundraisers for the symphony, the proceeds go to operations, community involvement, productions and educational outreach including the Young Artist Competition, Young Musicians of Note and the Classics Alive Educational Outreach Program, Morrow said.
“We have had many kinds of homes. We have had small homes, traditional homes, modern homes, condos and even a bed and breakfast,” Morrow said of her committee's previous home tour selections.
“When I'm looking for homes, I do look for things that make a home unique, but I also look for homes that make me feel good, ” she said.
The home of Kirby Litzenberg and Mike Camerot, at 1734 Oneida Road, is one of the farthest stops on the house tour this year, but it is definitely worth the trip.
It's not certain if it is closer to the North Pole or if it is just the festive touch of Camerot that has transformed this home into a winter wonderland complete with 50 Christmas trees throughout.
Guests will find one or more trees in every room including the powder rooms.
“I turn 50 this year and decided to celebrate it by decorating 50 trees,” he said. “It wouldn't have been possible without the help of my dear friend Paula Helms,” Camerot its inviting deck comes into view.The entryway features a Pittsburgh Steelers tree and a Breast Cancer Awareness pink ribbon tree. Ceramic tile covers the floor and amazing stonework flanks the front door's formal entry.“I knew I wanted a door that made a statement, and I was thinking church doors were it. I call these my 'Wizard of Oz' doors,” said Camerot. Two small peeking doors are carved into the doors so you can peer out from inside.Built in sectionsThe house was built in sections over a seven-year period, but the wide-open floor plan and high ceilings give a feeling of continuity within. A dark hand- scraped hickory floor and carpeting throughout the living area, give the house a warm feel.The doors open into an inviting foyer featuring an immense stone chimney with a built-in bookcase paired with a huge Santa tree, one of two Santa- themed trees.The bookshelves feature some of Camerot's Santa collection while the upper mantel is laden with collector beer steins.“Kirby's sister began the collection giving him one of the Budweiser series each year for Christmas. The collection is complete except for three,” said Camerot. The Santa collection is a combination of different Santas given to him over the years. The foyer area also boasts an antique bellows organ.To the right is the living room where the actual fireplace for the immense stone chimney becomes the focal point of this space. “We really wanted all four sides of the structure to be purposed and functional,” said Camerot.
Beam is mantel“My grandmother had the fireplace insert built for my family back in the 1980s. We knew we wanted to use it, so the entire fireplace structure was built around it,” he said. An old barn beam Camerot found serves as the mantel. Overstuffed furniture make this room comfortable.Flanked by decorated trees, this room boasts a “Naughty/Nice” tree with lovely garland that is actually a letter to Santa winding down the tree.The house is full of windows, and this room features a grand mirror, perfect for reflecting the light.An icicle tree and Father Christmas flank the French doors in the doorway that opens to the Window Room. Massive windows on each side allow light from the front and back of the house to pool into this cozy sitting area which boasts a 20-foot live tree that takes three days to decorate.“Originally this room had 12-foot ceilings which we raised when we added Kirby's office, creating the 22-foot ceilings,” he said.A warm burnt-orange color called Toffee Glaze covers the walls. The cantilevered staircase landing Camerot designed creates a lovely sitting nook. This room opens onto the back deck featuring a koi pond.The carpeted steps lead up to a loft housing Litzenberg's office. Architectural drawings of the house are on display here, as well as a collection of ducks.“When I was young, my sister bought me a small duck each year, and when Kirby and I met, he, too, had a collection of ducks, so we now have a sizable collection,” Camerot explained.The duck collection in a dormer flanks a duck-themed Christmas tree.Just off the living room is a spacious dining room. The side of chimney in this room has been turned into a functioning wine bar. The upper mantel in here and in the kitchen features an extensive rooster collection.“When we travel we always pick one up from where ever we are and display them here,” said Camerot.An antique buffet and china closet are featured here. “Kirby's grandmother's china is on the plate rail in the cupboard,” said Camerot.One of the trees in this room contains ornaments in the shapes of candy canes, angels, birds and mittens. Just off the left of the dining room is a huge kitchen and massive island with a granite top.Bright and airyThe bright and airy open room's light wooden lower cupboards and dark counter tops are a creative contrast. The chandelier above the island was fashioned by a blacksmith into a custom 350-pound accent piece.“I found the frame, and we added the lights and several other pieces of iron. It took three of us to hang it,” said Camerot.The light pine ceiling keeps this large space open and bright. A cookie-cutter Christmas tree stands watch in the corner.A practical butler pantry gives room for storage and food prepping for the many parties and meals hosted here.
Focus on guests“We built this house with family and friends in mind. We are always hosting large gatherings. After Thanksgiving dinner, we put all the plates, platters and mess in here, and shut the door so we can focus on our guests,” said Camerot. A Hershey-themed tree is proudly poised on the refrigerator.Down a hallway lined with frosted doors are more trees and more fun places to explore including a movie room on the second floor complete with popcorn maker, candy counter and surround sound.The stairway leading up to the movie room is painted in a warm burlap shade with a brocade-textured finish.Two bedrooms are in the lower wing of the house. The guest room with a full bath is done in hues of blue and boasts transom windows that allow light to shine into the space.A blue tree with Father Christmas is located here, along with great-grandma's sewing machine.Down the hallway a little farther is the master suite, complete with full-size shower and double sinks separated by a dark wooden hutch.On the hutch stands a tree Camerot had in his room as a youngster. The two trees in this room are a Grinch-themed tree and a woodlands animal tree. This room can open out onto the wraparound deck. The vaulted ceilings and flooring in the shower lend to the uniqueness of this space.A laundry and pet room of sorts joins this section of the house with the fireplace and pool rooms.A tree in the laundry room contains ornaments for all of their pets, past and present, including current dogs, cats, horses, geese and ducks. And there are memorial ornaments of pets that have passed.The laundry room, featuring a tree complete with clothes and clothes pins, gives way to an expansive area featuring a fireplace.“The pool house was a stand-alone building. We built this room to connect it with the house,” said Camerot. The poured cement floor looks rustic and leads out to the front patio. Bold red furniture takes center stage in this space with its sage walls.Four Christmas trees are in this room, with the most special being the family tree.“We have photos of our friends and family on this tree. The ornaments are half from my mother's collection and the other half from Kirby's mother's collection,” explained Camerot who noted they keep adding photos each year.The round table near the window was a labor of love from Camerot and his brother in shop class.The pool room boastsseven trees around the pool. Wicker furniture and patio tables create an entertaining and inviting atmosphere.There is a fun topiary flip-flop tree here and a lovely beach-inspired tree with shells, sand dollars and netting that is exquisite. Lush plants line the wall of windows on one side and another full kitchen keeps this area party perfect.“We will be putting tables around the pool this year for Thanksgiving,” said Camerot. Doors lead off this room to the deck and side yard where a pergola and gazebo host outdoor festivities such as parties and even a wedding.It's obvious that this house was built with entertaining and family in mind. Walking through this house of holiday joy is sure to get you in the mood for the season. The trip over the river and through the woods is worth it.
Other stops on the Butler County Symphony Association's 27th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes on Dec. 3 include:Ed and Julie Natali749 Bullcreek RoadThis 4,000-square-foot home boasts a 4½-stall garage/man cave and a mantel made with timber from Scotland. A collection of Nativities are featured in every room in this home decked out for the holidays.Anonymous hosts103 Mulberry DriveA bright and beautiful open foyer and dining room greet guests to this lovely home that features family antiques and a beautiful deck. The kitchen area is entertainment central and a great gathering place.Jeff and Diane Smith428 McKean St.This Victorian looker was built around 1880 by Andrew Gomer Williams, a local attorney who had been wounded in the Civil War. Purchased in 2009, the home was restored to its original beauty.Bob and Julie Dandoy431 McKean St.This 1911 dwelling has been updated and is decorated for the season. Family traditions and décor reflect the importance and love this family shares for one another.Charles Swidzinski219 Beechwood Blvd.Built in 1965 by a former president of Armco Steel, the home features two fireplaces, a two-stall garage and three ample bedrooms.Butler County Symphony Association259 South Main St.The raffle baskets are located in the office.Associated Artists of Butler County344 South Main St.Cookie and lunch reception from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 3. Price of the lunch benefits The Associated Artists. The ticket price includes the opportunity to view the AABC's Annual Christmas Art Show.
