All That Glitters is Gainesville – Holiday Home Tour
The “All That Glitters” Holiday Home Tour in Gainesville, Texas on December 10, 2016 from 3pm to 7pm will feature five beautiful homes, a festive garden, choirs, carriages, and live nativity that will surely put you in the holiday spirit. In additon to the Home Tour, an eclectic display of nativities from around the world will be at the Morton Museum of Cooke County accompanied by homemade cookies and hot cider.
Tickets are $15, available at the Morton Museum through 6 pm, Saturday, Dec. 10th. Proceeds from this event make scholarships and preservation of Cooke County history through the Morton Museum possible. The Cooke County Heritage Society thanks you for your support.
The Homes
The Potter-Faulkner Home
Built in 1894 by Captain L.W. Lee as a wedding present for his daughter, Mrs. J.M. Potter, this Queen Anne house is characterized by horizontal siding, Palladian window, carved wood panels, encircling porch and multi-gables roof. The swimming pool as added in the early 2000’s.
Dale and Cindy Logue Home
Jim and Nita Myers built this ranch style home in 1951. Before building began, Mrs. Myers began clipping pictures out of magazines that were the latest style in home design. Built on a double lot, Mrs. Myers wanted the best builder in town so they hired Mr. Ratliff. In the late 70’s she decided it needed a few more updates such as paint colors, window treatments and appliances. Mr. Meyers reminded her that the remodel in the late 70’s cost more than the house did to build in 1951. In 2005, Mrs. Meyers came to us and asked if we wanted to buy the home because she was moving closer to her daughter in Dallas. She knew that I had always loved the home. We were thrilled that she has asked us before it went on the market. Since purchasing the home, we remodeled it, with the exception of one bathroom. I’m always looking for ways to add charm to our home. We have created a home that works well for our family and our two dogs, Ruby and Bella.
Steven & Susu Mabry Home
Originally, the home at 917 S. Rusk Street was built by the current owner’s mother and father, Ralph (Buddy) and Margie Snuggs (Golightly). Margie was in charge of finding a design for their new home. She went to Dallas to tour the Parade of Homes in 1957. She found her dream home for their double size lot in South Gainesville. The design she decided on was a little long for the double lot, so it had to be modified. Grady Blanton, and his carpenter, Boone were in charge of building the house to Mrs. Snuggs’ demanding specifications. Every piece of wood, door knob, chandelier, carpet and windows were what she selected for her new home. The home was completed in 1959 and was considered to be top of the line for that time. After the deaths of Margie and Buddy, their daughter, Susan Snuggs Mabry (Susu) and her husband, Steven D. Mabry, decided it was time to give that Ranch Style French Provincial home a facelift. They moved back to Gainesville in September of 2015. Susu wanted to keep the same feeling of the 1950’s home but make it lighter and brighter. The home has a second story, which was accessed from a hidden stair case in the main hallway. This design created problems moving anything upstairs, so the homes second floor was used as a playroom and guest bedroom. The new owners wanted to make the stairs more accessible, and the bedrooms more usable. Now the main staircase is the center of the family room with wrought iron railings that matched the originals to a tee. The owners also felt that the large mantel and brick fireplace looked tired. After watching an episode of :fixer Upper” where they used the German Smear technique on a brick house exterior, Susu set out to find someone in Gainesville who could do a Smear look on the fireplace. The swimming pool and cabana were built in the mid 60’s. The pool had been covered for many years, so it was still in very good condition; it just needed a minor facelift. The tree saplings that Buddy planted when the children were young are not towering oaks over the backyard oasis are reflected in the beautiful blue water.
Scott & Shirley McMahon Home
The home was purchased from the Lucille and Robert Evans Family Trust by Scott McMahon and wife, Shirley Harris-McMahon, in March of 201; The structure was built by Doctor Cirone, designed by a Dallas architect and built by local contractor Elmo Appleton (known to have built many homes in the Historic South Gainesville area). The design was based on full two story New Orleans traditional style including full width covered front porch with wrought iron porch supports and trim extending around the house to the porte-cochere and the covered rear paver brick and tile patio. The original plans included the unusual 4 ft. brick wall surrounding the back yard with lighted columns and poured concrete perimeter sidewalks along the back yard flower beds The brick front lot corners have original light fixtures. The sprinkler system was designed and installed by the grandfather of Chris and Kenneth Kaden (Kaden Landscaping)l Other original building elements include: 2 ft. concrete perimeter footing, 2 ft. X 3 ft. concrete support beams under the base structure, atypical 3 phase electrical service, electrical lines within conduit, Pella triple layer windows, metal roof over the patio, interior original Mahogany wall paneling, and original oak wood flooring.
The Schiff-Schalk Home
Gerson “Gus” Schiff, a prominent cotton merchant in Cooke County, built this Victorian style home in 1893. The house features beautiful stain glass windows in four rooms and an open floorplan that was perfect for entertaining guests. The house has four fireplaces, the original grand staircase and servant staircase, original wood floors, doors and moldings. Great care has been taken by the new owners to furnish the home with period furniture and artwork. It is truly like stepping back in time over a hundred years ago. Amy & Trey purchased the home in 2016 and share it with guest as part of their recently opened Bed and Breakfast, the Denton Street Heritage House.
The Stinnetts’ Glitter Garden
Pattie and Bob Stinnett have turned the backyard of this wonderful home into a sanctuary of the senses. The Corner site has been improved of the years with creative landscaping, enhanced by beautiful old trees front and side that provide a canopy over the back yard that has been made into a picture with winding walkways, pathways and peaceful sitting areas. This garden is a don’t miss on this tour. Years in the making and excited to show it off, a stroll through the Stinnett’s garden will take you into a magical wonderland.
