interesting decor
Staff writer
Four distinct homes will be open Nov. 30, during Marion Christmas Home Tours, “A Natural Noel.”
One is a rustic bed and breakfast cabin located at the county lake, another a nearly 60-year-old home that was remodeled, the third a dream log home, and the fourth is a haven for a tiny, Christmas village. All will interest those looking for Christmas decorating ideas or just curious about the interiors of other people’s homes.
The tours are sponsored by Marion City Library and will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 30.
Refreshments will be served at the library.
Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the library or at one of the homes the day of the tour.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the library.
The Outdoors Inn, 25 Jerome, Marion
Owned by Rick and Linda Sardou, the cabin hideaway at Marion County Lake, originally was used as a home. For the past three years, it has been a popular bed and breakfast with three bedrooms and two bathrooms available for guests.
Linda said visitors will notice the “aromas of Christmas” with freshly made coffee and homemade bread baking.
The entire cabin, upstairs and down, will be decorated with “Grandma’s old-fashioned atmosphere with a rustic flair,” Linda said.
A rustic, brick fireplace is the focal point of the cabin and is sure to be blazing if the weather is more Christmas-like the day of the tour.
Rick is a carpenter by trade and a chain saw artist at heart with many sculptures indoors and out.
His latest masterpiece will be a carved Santa Claus to greet guests as they arrive.
A patio and second-story deck will be decorated with holiday fare.
The bed and breakfast caters to weddings and family reunions and is already booked for this year’s holidays.
Wildins, 524 S. Cedar, Marion
Unique, handmade nativity scenes will be the focus of decorating efforts at the Brad and Jeannie Wildin home, but the tour is more about transformation.
Three years ago, the Wildins purchased the nearly 60-year-old, ranch-style house and basically gutted.
While the process has at times been tedious and laborious, Jeannie said it’s been a fun way to display items sold at the couple’s store.
The Wildins own County Seat Decorating Center, downtown Marion, specializing in floor covering and room design.
The home was enlarged from a two-bedroom, one-bathroom house to three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Walls were moved, floors raised, and a garage renovated into a master bedroom suite.
“We scraped off years of wallpaper,” Jeannie said.
Other enhancements were made which will surprise some visitors.
Jeannie’s nativity scene collection began with a set given to her as a gift. From there, friends and family continue to give her uncommon or rare sets including a wooden set with the details coming from a coloring book and the first set local potter Celia Byer made.
There are about 10 sets in all that will be on display with other holiday trimmings throughout the house.
For the Wildins, it’s all about family. This property is within close proximity to parents, siblings, and grandchildren.
The Wiens, 407 S. Lincoln, Marion
Set off the street, this home has been catching the attention of passers-by and neighbors since construction began several years ago.
For Gerald and Jan Wiens, this isn’t the first house they’ve built themselves but it may be the last.
“This is the house we’re planning to retire in,” Jan said.
Natural décor is the holiday theme throughout with evergreens, berries, candles, and pine cones.
The walls are covered with photographs from Gerald’s photography business. His office is located in an area that could be used as a garage at some point.
The entire house will be decorated for the season including a loft.
A second-story loft was specially designed for the Wiens’ five grandchildren. There’s a bunk bed for each child, ages 4-10, with ample room to play and pretend.
Visitors will find the floor covering interesting since radiant heat is used which requires minimal carpet.
The Landis, 2230 N. Sunrise, Marion
Imagine a small hamlet along a snowy mountain’s edge. Soft lights shine through the windows. Melodic sounds come from the buildings.
There’s a train, hauling imaginary people and treasures.
It started a few years ago for Claude and Phyllis Landis when they started collecting miniature Christmas villages.
Before long, they had a town. And now, 25 pieces later, they have a metropolis.
Each piece has unique features — some with lights, others with music and animation.
The focal point of the Landis’ holiday décor, the village is located about in the center of the home.
Accompanying the tiny villages are miniature people, cars, trees, and other whimsical accessories that catch the eye.
In the dining room, there will be an Indian village with a train set to compliment Native American décor.
Holiday decorations will greet visitors at the drive and on the porch, compliments of Claude, with wooden cutouts depicting a trio of geese pulling a sled and a turkey with a shotgun, compliments of Claude.
Although the village belongs to Phyllis, Claude is the one who built the table and other accessories used in the display. Phyllis works during the day and Claude is retired with time to devote to the project.
“I appreciate all of the work he’s done on this,” Phyllis said.