This 1897 Queen Anne is one of five homes available for touring during the “Home For the Holidays” house walk in Morris on Friday.Seven years ago, Jean Lennon bought an 1897 Queen Anne. Ever since then, she has been renovating it. Her residence is one of five homes open for viewing on Friday during a house walk in southwest suburban Morris.
Light from 30 windows pours into the house's angled rooms. Lennon received pictures from the home's former owner and worked to restore the home to its original grandeur while bringing it up-to-date. The house consists of four bedrooms, a sewing room, two full baths, a parlor, a great room, a kitchen and a porch.
Rather than just one Christmas tree, Lennon has several -- decorated with ornaments of her childhood, treasures passed along in the family.
For 16 years, Marty and Diane Cooper have resided in a home with views of a little lake. Inside, visitors can look for a built-in buffet with leaded glass doors (which they purchased locally at Glass Castle Antiques).
In the living room, a white Christmas tree is decorated with angels and crystal. Guests also can look for Diane's nativity scene and her daughter's nutcracker collection.
In the kitchen, the island was once a grain display in a general store in Mazon.
Bedroom pieces include a maple dresser from Diane's grandparents and vintage rocking chairs.
The Reardon Historic Mansion was built in 1865 for the Reardon family. In 2004, the home was purchased by Joe and Jennifer Tessone, who embarked on a three-year restoration, converting it to a bed & breakfast.
The hardware, hardwood flooring and trim are all original. All of the furniture in the home dates to the 1800s. But each suite is outfitted with a modern bath, a plasma television and a mini-refrigerator.
A circular drive leads up to the front porch of the home. The doorbell is the original bell from the Chicago Hilton. A crystal chandelier with a ceiling medallion illuminates the foyer. A five-foot Santa is dressed in a fur coat. An antique doll collection is displayed too.
Guests of the inn may enjoy a game of basketball on the private court or a dip in the heated pool.
Steve and Susan Stangland's town home in The Windings is set along Nettle Creek, and the couple receive regular visits from deer, fox, raccoons and woodchucks. A glass side door leads from the great room to a deck.
A Kohler & Campbell piano belonged to Susan's parents. She fondly recalls her father playing jazzy songs and hymns.
In the kitchen, visitors can look for items which belonged to Susan's grandmother: a metal dish pan, a recipe box with handwritten recipe cards, a vintage edition of a Better Homes and Garden cookbook and various cooking utensils. Steve's grandfather's coal bucket also is displayed.
Visitors, on their way to the master bedroom, will notice an antique bookshelf that contains Susan's grandfather's church song book, an antique camera, family Bibles (dating from the 1800s), and a tea set (which young Susan purchased for $1.25). Toddler pants that Susan's maternal great-grandmother made for her son (Susan's grandfather) are also displayed.
The Stanglands' Christmas decorations include snowmen in many sizes and a 9˝-foot tree (with white lights and angel ornaments).
In Greg and Jo Christensen's house, the railing of the foyer staircase is decked out with garland and peacock feathers. The den has a Christmas tree in the front window. A picture of the Eiffel Tower on the wall reminds the couple of their recent trip to Paris.
In the basement, visitors can look for a custom-made stained-glass light over the pool table and an antique artist's desk (purchased at the Sandwich Antique Fair).
