PENN TWP — Area residents are already decking their halls in anticipation of the 28th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes presented by the Butler County Symphony Association. The tour begins at 10 a.m. Dec. 2.

“The funds raised from the house tour go toward maintaining our ability to acquire music and recruit quality musicians and guest artists,” said Sue Morrow of Center Township, the current chairman for the tour, as well as vice president of the symphony board of directors.

“We are partnering again with the Associated Artists of Butler County. Last year was their first year to offer the building and volunteers to provide a lunch,” said Morrow.

Lunch, for a price, will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Associated Artists of Butler County, 344 S. Main St.

Holiday raffle baskets will be on display as well.

Morrow acknowledged without the homeowners there would be no house tour. This year she feels the association has lined up a unique collection of homes in a variety of styles.

One home, a lovely colonial, sits at 121 Mountain Laurel Drive and is the home of Gail Paserba and Bill Ford.

A beautiful brick walkway leads up to an entryway decorated with a live seasonal wreath flanked by fresh garland. The door opens onto a foyer with wooden plank flooring and one of the eight Tom Panei art pieces displayed throughout the house.

Three reindeer prominently displayed set the tone for the holiday tour.

The formal dining room with its grand table and buffet is to the right. As with much of the furniture in Paserba's home, it was recently purchased from RW McDonald and Sons.

“It was important for me to keep these renovations as local as possible. The goal was to utilize Butler County businesses,” said Paserba.

The chandelier is this room, fashioned from wine glasses, is a hint of two of Perserba's passions.

“I love the Pittsburgh Penguins and wine,” she said. She created the needlepoint carousel that hangs above the buffet.

The holiday theme here is traditional and complements the feel of the room. Greens, browns and terra- cotta accents are featured in the table centerpiece. A pencil tree in the corner is bedecked with white lights.

Swinging doors lead into the newly renovated kitchen which boasts granite countertops from Brazil.

“We dubbed this theme a Tuscan Christmas to go along with the décor in this space,” said her decorator, Jeff Double of All About Reclaimed in Butler.

“Two fresh centerpieces of berries, boxwood, magnolia, cedar and some special Colorado cones compliment the dual islands in this space,” said Double.

“When I walked into the granite showroom and saw it, we knew it would work,” said Paserba.

The cabinets are deep rich, stained cherry and feature a wine glass display and a grape vine appliqué on the corner cupboard. One island functions as storage while the other seats seven poised under a unique wine bottle chandelier she created.

“Those are bottles of wine I've shared with people, and each has a specific meaning which is noted on the bottle,” Paserba explained.

A double pantry and new stainless-steel appliances complete the functionality of this space. Wine-themed décor adorns the walls.

A bit of the wine theme carries over to the adjoining TV room.

“The bottles on the hearth combine my two interests; The Pittsburgh Penguins and wine,” said Paserba pointing out the bottles of wine in a Penguin vintage.

This neutral toned room is decorated with sports memorabilia and collectibles. A sports-themed garland adorns the fireplace and electronics cabinet inviting the holiday into this space.

To the left is the formal living room which reflects more of a traditional Christmas theme. A seven-and-a-half-foot tree in the corner features exclusive Tom Panei ornaments.

“The humidor and light are antiques I purchased from the GWFC Antique Show,” said Paserba. This room also contains her grandmother's sewing table and foot stool. “My grandmother taught me how to sew, do needlepoint and crochet,” she said.

The floor-to-ceiling windows are trimmed out in Christmas wreaths with friendship lights.

The Panei installation on the far wall was moved from her home in Florida and matched the décor in this room in both size and style.

The living room opens on to the solarium or Florida Room. Here a seven-and-a half-foot tree features antique glass family heirloom ornaments. White wicker furniture, ceramic tile and huge windows make this room a mini retreat.

A wicker shelf holds Paserba's carousel collection and a few treasured pieces of Asian porcelain from the Mary Hulton Phillips Collection.

“She was like family to my husband, and these pieces weren't museum quality, but they were special to us because she was special to us. We purchased them in a charity auction,” she said.

The upper level of Paserba's house features three bedrooms and an office. The bathroom has a coastal feel to it with decorations that match it well.

The bedrooms have small seasonal arrangements on display with a pencil tree in the office.

The recently renovated master bedroom features French doors that open to an en suite bathroom featuring his-and-her sinks, granite countertops and a spacious shower.

“The lower level of the home is where the party happens,” said Double. Walls are adorned with Masters Championship and other golfing mementos.

One room on this level features a bar, pool table and air hockey table while the other room features a home theater system with four theater chairs and a bit of sports memorabilia from the Paserba's days in Chicago.

A Michael Jordan-signed piece from his rookie year and a massive Chicago Bears Super Bowl photo are focal points in this room.

WHAT: The Butler Symphony Association's 28th Annual Holiday Tour of HomesWHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 2WHERE: Various homes in Butler CountyTICKETS: Available at the Butler County Symphony office, 259 S. Main St.; May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St.; and the Meridian Station Gift Shop, 298 Merididan Road.INFORMATION: www.butlersymphony.org or call 724-283-1402.The Associated Artists of Butler County will house a lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. along with a cookie reception and basket raffle from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Associated Artists building, 344 S. Main St.The house tour is a major fundraising event for the Symphony Association.