all dressed up - .every year we gather to celebrate her birthday, decorate the christmas tree and

Meet the skillful and creative artists who took part in last years successful Collingwood Holiday House Tour, artfully transforming several spectacular homes in the area into masterful showcases for the holiday season. This annual event raises money for local charities.

all dressed upFOR THE HOLIDAYS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BOHDAN CHREPTAK

Mary NorrisCherch House of DesignW H AT M A K ES C H R I ST M AS

S P EC I A L FO R YO U ? It goes without saying, having your family and friends together, plus the turkey trimmings and wine!HOW DO YOU DECORATE YOUR

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS? Im a traditionalist at heart and generally go over the top. To tell you the truth, its what my kids always look forward to.

Andrea RamacieriDesigns By AndreaA N Y S P EC I A L H O L I DAY

FA M I LY T RA D I T I O N S?

Christmas Eve starts with a traditional fish dinner in honour of my Italian grandparents, followed by a gathering of friends and family, carol singing (all the children participate) and feeding the reindeer. Midnight mass is attended by those who can stay awake. On Christmas morning, we open stockings and gifts, drink coffee and eat Nonnas cookies. W H I T E C H R I ST M AS O R

SA N DY B E AC H C H R I ST M AS?

Being a traditionalist, I would have to say white Christmas, but a sandy beach celebration is something I look forward to trying at least once! Continued on page 66

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Cathy LanePanache Design WorksD ESC R I B E YO U R

T Y P I CA L C H R I ST M AS

DAY: We never have a typical Christmas day, because the Panache warehouse and workshop is on our property, and the girls and I have been surrounded by Christmas for six months. When the big day finally comes, were really happy to get on the road to visit family and friends. My sister usually hosts the family and cooks an amazing meal. D O YO U H AV E A

FAVO U R I T E H O L I DAY

FO O D? My favourite holiday food is whatever my sister makes. Shes an incredible cook and always has something new and exciting on the table. You never know what shes going to do - never fish (thank God!), but even if she takes the traditional route, she makes it amazing, and never light in the calorie department!Continued on page 68

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FURNISHINGS FROM ELIZABETH INTERIORS

Heather Cook & Herma Vegter-PetrieLeuk Bij HermasH OW D O YO U D ECO RAT E YO U R C H R I ST M AS T R E E ? Herma: I love to decorate our tree (and it has to be a very large tree for a very large family!!) with joy and love in beautiful whites, creams and silvery pewters in all kinds of textures and shapes. Tons of fun!D O YO U H AV E O N E C H R I ST M AS M E M O RY T H AT R E A L LY STA N DS O U T ? Herma: A wonderful memory was of a snowy Ottawa Christmas Eve after a joyful family church service, driving through the quiet blanketed snow-covered streets seeing all the twinkling lights. It was such an inspiring scene and one I will always treasure.FAVO U R I T E G I F T TO G I V E ? Heather: I like to give handmade personalized gifts. FAVO U R I T E G I F T TO R EC E I V E ? Heather: I love unwrapping art supplies. Continued on page 70

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for further details contact Harold Robison atBob Armstrong Construction Ltd.Collingwood | Thornbury

Your Home.Your Lifestyle.We designed our own home and were delighted as Harold and his team turned the drawings into reality. Harold was a pleasure to work with, more than fair with changes and additions. The quality of work by Harold, his staff and his selected trades was first rate. Wed recommend him in a heartbeat. Al & Lois Woolnough

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Jo Redman & Anna WatsonRedman & Watson Interior and Architectural DesignW H AT S YO U R FAVO U R I T E T H I N G TO D O AT C H R I ST M AS? Traditions are what make Christmas special and something to look forward to each year. Jo takes her boys to the Christmas tree farm to find and cut down the perfect tree, followed by homemade hot chocolate and tree decorating. My daughter Caley was born on December 24th, so every year we gather to celebrate her birthday, decorate the Christmas tree and roast chestnuts. Christmas day traditions include eggs Benedict for breakfast and skating on the pond.I S C H R I ST M AS A B I G C E L E B RAT I O N I N YO U R H O M E ? For us, Christmas is about family time. Jo has a big noisy Italian family that loves to cook and eat together. My family is smaller, but as its often the only occasion were all together, its always a special time of year for me. Continued on page 72

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Sharon AllanVan Allan Design CentreT RA D I T I O N A L O R

M O D E R N C H R I ST M AS? By all means traditional! From ornaments the children made in grade school, Aunt Hazels vintage cardboard and glitter churches, the nutcracker collection my daughter adds to each year, to the few remaining blown glass ornaments my parents picked up in Germany. The more stories and memories the better!D O YO U BA K E

S P EC I A L G O O D I ES

AT C H R I ST M AS? Nowadays its the gingerbread cookies that appear at Christmas, based on my moms recipe that uses pepper for a bite. When the children were little, it was a house that everyone would help build, that looked like it was nibbled on by mice after the kids would sneak Smarties and gumdrops.Continued on page 74

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Rhonda Green & colleagues Patti Hodgkinson & Marie-Therese BenoitGreentree Gardens & EmporiumW H AT S O N E O F YO U R FAVO U R I T E C H R I ST M AS

M E M O R I ES? My favourite Christmas memory is returning home on December 25th, 1986 with our new baby daughter Ashley.H OW W I L L YO U S P E N D C H R I ST M AS DAY? Christmas Day is always a brunch, and I watch my favourite movie, A Christmas Story, with my family. Continued on page 76

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Katherine Arcaro & colleague Polly TaylorFAD Farrow Arcaro DesignT E L L U S A BO U T YO U R FAVO U R I T E C H R I ST M AS : Katherine: No hydro, no water, and snow up to the rooftop of our Victorian farmhouse in Markdale. Just hung out in our small mudroom by candlelight, with my mom trying her best to cook turkey on the old wood stove. Christmas dinner was served on our fold-up card table in the dark, but it was the best ever! Ill never forget it!W H AT S T H E B EST P R ES E N T YO U EV E R R EC E I V E D? Katherine: Im still waiting! (Just kidding!) I think its when I give my husband a Christmas gift list and I get everything on it!W H AT S YO U R FAVO U R I T E H O L I DAY T RA D I T I O N : Polly: We always have a chocolate fondue on Christmas Eve. My kids just love it, its so much fun. Continued on page 78

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