CULLMAN – This year’s Share Club Christmas Tour of Homes promises to be filled with wonderful ideas that you can take home and incorporate into your own décor. The tour is Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1-5 p.m.
You’ll see everything from Diane Brown’s impressive Jim Shore collection, which includes a treasured nativity and crèche, as well as numerous ornaments, to the European flair of Rusty and Christy Turner’s Lake Catoma home, the soft, traditional and elegant color themes of the Lake George home of the Veal family, the Christmas collections of many years enhanced by real greenery to welcome the season at the ancestral home of Jeff and Julie Wilhite, and the beautiful Teri Pines home of James and Wendy Clements.
There is truly something for every décor, theme and style on this year’s tour.
The home of Ken and Diane Brown – 150 County Road 1405 Cullman, AL 35058
Located in peaceful Cotton Row, a subdivision off Basch Road, is the attractive home of Ken and Diane Brown. The Browns purchased this home in 2001 and were determined to renovate it to be both pleasing to their tastes and accommodating to the needs of their handicapped son. This large five-bedroom, four-bath home is now equipped with wheelchair ramps and a garage apartment that contains a handicap accessible bathroom. The homeowners love to entertain family, as well as guests, so their house is always bustling.
Diane Brown takes great joy in decorating for the Christmas season. She especially enjoys her impressive Jim Shore collection, which includes a treasured nativity and crèche, as well as numerous ornaments. One would be hard pressed to find any space untouched by her holiday flair, and although her decorating style isn't subtle, it is aesthetically pleasing and delightful to behold. We are certain Santa gives this décor a big "thumbs up!"
The home of Rusty and Christy Turner – 741 County Road 1413, Cullman, AL 35058
In 2006 Rusty and Christy Turner asked Christy Turner's father, Ray Calvert of Calvert Construction, to build their classically detailed home overlooking beautiful Lake Catoma. This family-friendly design arranges rooms on the diagonal for flexible flow and offers interiors that "live big" in less square footage.
The master suite is private and absolutely stunning. It features polished limestone countertops in the master bath and a walk-in closet of extraordinary size. The kitchen, with maple cabinetry and granite countertops, opens to the family room. The homeowners consider this room, with its impressive fireplace, the heart of the home. They love the warmth and comfort that permeates this space. The children's living area includes floor-to-ceiling bookcases with an attached, sliding ladder that gives this part of the home a touch a whimsy. Delightful Christmas décor in the Turner home both enhances and highlights the European charm, character, and personality of this custom-built home.
The home of Angie and Kelvin Veal – 166 County Road 1310, Vinemont, AL 35179
The home of Angie and Kelvin Veal was built in 1991 by local contractor Dan Sims and is located on Lake George property formerly owned by the Heitmueller family. The design of the home features amazing views of the lake from almost every room, where one can catch sightings of bald eagles. The open concept provides comfort of living and great enjoyment for family gatherings.
Limestone, Pennsylvania Bluestone Slate and European/French arch accents customize the home in addition to hardwood floors, a custom nautical medallion and an elegant stairway in the foyer. Their Christmas décor always includes some old and new with soft, traditional and elegant color themes. The Veal family has had many Christmas memories here and are looking forward to many more.
The home of Jeff and Julie Wilhite – 149 County Road 1286, Vinemont, AL 35179
The home of Jeff and Julie Wilhite was originally owned by Jeff Wilhite’s grandparents, Carl and Gladys Wilhite, 60 years ago. The eclectic style of the home features do-it-yourself items and reclaimed objects from junk stores. The dining room table was built by Jeff Wilhite from salvaged wood from the property’s barn. Julie Wilhite purchased the benches at a yard sale and refinished them to match. A junk shop bathroom chandelier was antiqued and refurbished with crystals by Julie Wilhite. In the landscaping, stones and bricks repurposed from an old house and a torn down church should be noted. Check out all the hand crafted and repurposed items recorded on a list for you on Tour Day. Christmas collections of many years are enhanced by real greenery to welcome the season.
The home of James and Wendy Clements, 106 View Point Circle, Cullman, AL 35057
The house that became home to James and Wendy Clements in July 2015 was built in the southern living style in 2000 on three lots in the Terri Pines subdivision. The couple spent their first year in the house making lots of renovations and updates. The floor plan of the house is very open with a beautiful stone fireplace, newly refinished hardwood floors, all new light fixtures and fans, newly tiled basement that looks like hardwood and an open second floor landing to the main floor. The home has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and an adorable playroom. The backyard has a newly updated screen porch and cement patio perfect for entertaining while overlooking the naturally wooded lots.
The home of Libby Crider – 245 Fairway Drive, Cullman, AL 35057
Built atop a lovely, wooded lot in 2011 and nestled in a quiet cul de sac in Terri Pines, the home of Libby Crider and her children is a stunning mix of rock, wood and metal. As welcoming as it is beautiful, the home's open plan accommodates loads of entertaining. A serene screened porch with generous bed swing beckons relaxation.
This home has details rich in character and history including heart of pine flooring, hand hewn beams, reclaimed wood ceilings and unique interior doors which were all selected individually by the homeowner. Christmastime is a time to celebrate faith and family for the Criders. Their seasonal décor is mesmerizing, tastefully placed and pleasing to the eye. Take note that most of the décor is available in the homeowner's retail store, White Willow, in downtown Cullman.
Proceeds from the Christmas Tour of Homes benefit Hospice of Cullman County and the Good Samaritan Clinic.
“Share Club consists of approximately 35 members who have been and are dedicated to strengthening our community and enhancing the lives of our community members through volunteer service. We are a strong group of women who love our families, our neighbors and our community,” said Share Club member Mary Jane Waldrop.
“Although we serve the community through numerous events and projects, our main project is the annual Christmas Tour of Homes. Over the years, we have been blessed to show Cullman's finest homes decorated for the season to hundreds of community members and friends. Share Club supports numerous worthy causes, but we are especially proud of our donations to Hospice of Cullman County, which is over 163,000 to date. The 2015 and the coming 2016 Christmas Tour of Homes will benefit Hospice of Cullman County and Good Samaritan Health Clinic.
“We are proud to present this year's Christmas Tour on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1-5 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the homes or purchased in advance at Cullman Cabinet, The Added Touch Too, From the Heart, Three Pears, White Willow, Hagan Realty or any Share Club member for $15 donation for each ticket.”
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