Stores add to tour’s holiday themes

Tuesday, 01 December 2009 01:00

While lighting professionals begin installing holiday displays and designers put the finishing touches on their décor, local merchants are also preparing for the upcoming “Homes for the Holidays” house your.

“The holiday season is known for festive decorations,” says Kendall Sneddon, chair of the event. “But it’s also about scent, sound, taste and touch.”

The tour, which takes place Friday, December 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., features five homes festively decorated by professional designers in a particular holiday theme. Merchants have also been paired with each showcase home in order to provide tour-goers with the complete holiday experience.

The turn-of-the-century’s “White Christmas” theme will feature old-fashion cookies and pastries by Lemongrass and wassail, an English spiced punch, by the Newcomers Club. The French-born designers working on the antique farmhouse have chosen “Noël à Chamonix” as the theme and Mirabelle Cheese Shop in Westport will be providing tour-goers with a sampling of cheese and charcuterie. The country estate will be styled in an “English Country Harvest” decor and The Canaan Sweet Shop will be adding chocolates to the theme. The mid-century modern will feature liqueur-soaked cakes by The Great Spirits Baking Company and a taste of Champagne from New Canaan Wine Merchants. Rosie will be warming up the summer manor’s “Believe in Magic” theme with white hot chocolate and shortbread cookies.

Tickets for the house tour may be purchased online at ncholidayhousetour.com or at William Raveis, Country Design, M Milestones, New Canaan Toy Store and Pimlico, all in New Canaan.