home of distinction
Above: The family room was kept simple with a tall slender tree placed opposite the fireplace. Stockings in natural tones, pinecones and greenery
grace the mantle. Opposite: White orchids and natural greenery play against the colorful forest scene of “Rumble,” an 8 x 12 foot canvas painted
by Leonard Koscianski, hanging in the living room. The 18th century baby grand piano in the foyer was crowned with a flower arrangement of
soft whites, with a golden-bowed wreath hanging in the window above.
62
WBM december 2019
TTWO OR THREE
weeks before the Tea, all
the designs have been
chosen and it’s time to
start bringing the vision
to reality. The entire
committee convenes at
the home to strategize.
Photos of each design
idea are placed in the
respective rooms, and
members select which
space they want to focus
on. The women work in
teams to shop for and
then begin working on
the decorations.
More than a yearly
decking of the halls, the
collaborative creative
experience is a chance
to build friendships and
learn new skills. Some
club members are reluc-tant
to join the Flower
Arranging Committee
with its Christmas Tea
responsibilities, citing
a lack of decorating expe-rience.
There’s no need to
fear, McNeir says. There
are always members
present to teach new
skills to those who want
to learn; someone who
makes bows or another
who’s good with flowers.
Committee members
find that once they get
started, they’re creating
something beautiful and
having a great time in
the process.