Enchanting. That's the word, the mood and the ambiance that supports this year's Christmas at Pinewood Holiday Home Tour, organized by Polk County's premiere host, Bok Tower Gardens.
Now in its 15th year, Christmas at Pinewood is filled with elaborate creations of elegantly designed spaces in the mansion on the grounds of the Gardens. The displays will treat Polk County residents and visitors alike to a spectacular grandeur of Christmas magic.
Set to this year's theme, "Joy to the World," the 20-room Pinewood Estate is getting an extreme makeover, holiday style. It's taking the hands of more than 200 helpers to make the spirit of the holiday season come alive in the Mediterranean-style home.
The design team from Citizens Bank & Trust is filling one of the larger rooms in the estate, the Loggia, with magnificent angels, birds and natural wonders to illustrate the song's refrain, "And Heaven and Nature Sing." A stunning Christmas tree showcases the joys of the underwater world with tropical fish, sand dollars, shells, coral and other unique ornaments.
Citizens Bank & Trust representative Chevon Baccus says that since bankers aren't known for their decorating skills, they asked their branch managers to reach out to their customers who are florists and interior designers, and partner with them to complete this holiday project for all to enjoy. One who agreed to join the decorating co-op is Shelly Braswell with Lasater Flowers, who won the Small Business of the Year award from both the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce and the East Polk Committee of 100 this year.
Braswell and her teammates spun hues of turquoise, striking purple and deep blue, flared with gold, orange and a host of other jewel tones to show visitors that Christmas has more colors in its crayon box than the traditional trio of red, green and white.
In helping to accentuate the "nature" in the "Heaven and Nature Sings" part of the Christmas melody, in which the entire event is based upon this year, designers and volunteers used replicas of baby fawns, rabbits, birds and butterflies, and they have selected bronze owl figures, created by Bok Tower's president himself, David Price.
"Pinewood is a treasure, and this event gives folks a chance to see it in a different way," Price says. "There is one theme, but so many different flavors. It's interesting to see how each designer interprets."
Local artist Tom Freeman has painted big cypress trees and birds to be showcased in the Citizens Bank portion of Pinewood.
An upstairs bedroom will be turned into a Swedish Christmas featuring Saint Lucia traditions, including presents being delivered by the Christmas goat, Julbok.
Designer Shelly Windham is using golden trumpets and musical notes in another bedroom to recreate the second verse, "Repeat the Sounding Joy."
Treasured family heirlooms from some of the sponsors and volunteers include vintage animated decorations from the 1940s and '50s that have been strategically placed to highlight the living room. Designed by the Mouse Surplus team, the living room theme will include another version of "Joy to the World" that was made popular by the rock band Three Dog Night in the early 1970s. The room is complete with hidden bullfrogs from the hit song, which names a bullfrog Jeremiah.
"It's a huge community event," says Casey Jacoby, director of communications for Bok Tower Gardens. "If anyone is depressed, they can come here and instantly get into the Christmas mood."
When the tour meanders through the pantry and into the kitchen, sugarplums are in clear vision, accompanied by gingerbread people. A whimsical St. Nick greets guests at the kitchen door with his naughty-and-nice list, checking each name as visitors pass.
A snow-white Christmas tree, decorated with lollypops, swirled candy canes hung upside down, ice cream cones with strawberries on top and dancing peppermints make the kitchen's Christmas tree deliciously decorated and resembling a rainbow Christmas.
There's an abundance of make-believe evidence hanging on the kitchen Christmas tree. The designers have hooked a pair of shoes belonging to Mrs. Clause that dangle from red-and-white striped laces. Reindeer wearing crowns on their heads and dressed in snow-flaked sweaters appear on this tree as well. And sticking with the function of this room, cooking utensils also are used to decorate for this special time of year. Whisks and cookie cutters help out the tea spoons to add an additional splendor of creativity with items that give folks ideas to try when they return to their own estates. Mice, stars, church steeples and icicles round out this holiday place of pretend.
Braswell says that Christmas at Pinewood Estates is a miniature version of Biltmore Estates in Ashville, N.C.
Spectacular moving pieces of pinwheels and feathers deck the halls leading to a romantic scene for a couple's "Midnight Christmas Toast." Dazzled in classic black and white and resembling a newlywed suite, this room is the obvious hideaway for the couple that has just returned from a hurried day of last-minute Christmas shopping through bustling crowds. Now home and warm by the glowing fireplace, the couple spots a silver bucket nestling a bottle of sparkling champagne that waits to be poured into the only two crystal-fluted glasses sitting by the bedside.
Maureen and Jennifer Beam, a mother-daughter team, say it was a privilege to trim this chic, contemporary bedroom. The room includes black Christmas stockings hanging from the window.
"It's a passion," says Jennifer Beam, the director of visitor services and programs for Bok Tower Gardens. "I'm privileged to have inherited this."
The attendance for this event has climbed significantly every year. In 2007, the attendance was 7,400, and last year it rose to 9,600, Bok officials say.
Visitors will be treated to a delightful showing of ornamental horticulture in spectacular ways even before entering the large dwelling place. Poinsettia balls cascade down the oak trees in a Niagara of variegated colors of peppermint stripes.
An elegant archway of pinecones, leaves and all things natural frame the open entryway for all to pass through as they wander by the life-size sleigh.
As visitors exit, two angels standing 7 feet tall will guard the ballot boxes for the People's Choice Awards. Members of the winning design team will have the privilege of using Pinewood Estates for their own special occasion with friends.
Christmas at Pinewood is going on daily, Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, from 1 to 5 p.m. The estate will be open on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Christmas Day from 1 to 5 p.m.
Admission for $8 for adults, $7 for Bok Tower Gardens members and $6 for children. Combo tickets for park visits and estate tour also are available at the entrance to Bok Tower Gardens.
Click here for more Christmas at Pinewood Holiday Home Tour pictures.
