Home for the Holidays
Take a tour through the West Hills
By Megan Udow
Warming up by the fire of this Arts & Crafts style home.
View Slideshow »The Gingerbreads offer their home up for a tour as well.
View Slideshow »All aboard the gift train!
View Slideshow »Subtle decorations usher in holiday cheer at the Urban Retreat home.
View Slideshow »The Christmas tree glows even brighter set against the dark woodwork of this Tudor style house.
View Slideshow »No Christmas dining set is complete without Rudolph red.
View Slideshow »The table is set for Santa’s arrival at the Portland Heights Tudor.
View Slideshow »A truly elegant Tudor tree.
View Slideshow »This Tudor home was originally designed for Jamieson Parker in 1927, the son of Elizabeth Couch and Dr. Rodney Glisan (of Glisan street).
View Slideshow »The NW modern home has unbeatable views with floor to ceiling windows in the living room.
View Slideshow »Candles set the holiday mood in this NW home designed in 1953.
View Slideshow »The tour’s contemporary home uses an array of animal imprinted tiles in this one of a kind fireplace.
View Slideshow »A mix of Victorian-era portraits and modern day treasures from East Asia create a unique fusion of past and present.
View Slideshow »Crystal goblets and sparkling views of the city make for a truly memorable Christmas feast.
Everyone secretly wants to poke around their neighbors’ homes whether it’s to steal decorating ideas or finally scope out that big screen you saw the movers carry in. Either way, Ainsworth Elementary School’s Holiday Home Tour gives everyone the opportunity to be the snoop without the need for binoculars.
It was an architectural feast with Tudor, modern, and contemporary style homes all made squeaky clean for the three hour tour. With sweeping views of the city and sprawling lawns, each home was like a sanctuary away from the everyday. However, none more so than “Urban Retreat,” which felt like the descent into a woodland fairytale. Heidi Root offered her home in support of her daughter’s school. “It’s a sense of community. When you bring people into your home it takes it to the next level of the community,” says Root.
The longest running elementary school in Portland, Ainsworth relies heavily on the profits from their Holiday Home Tours to support the school. But in case you missed it, here’s a web exclusive slideshow with all the dirty details.
