Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes magazine Dec 2008: Heights Holiday Home Tour

above: Every element in Tim and Marianne’s library speaks to friends and family. The Christmas tree, along with the gold balls and ribbons, displays framed photos of those closest to them, and the piano was a gift to Marianne from her father when she was seven years old. A gas fireplace, topped by heavy garland and a highly coveted James Michalopoulos painting, warms the space.

above left: The Sulser home in the Heights reflects Marianne’s Louisiana roots with its French Quarter facade, wrapped and wreathed this time of year in fresh greenery, red ribbons and Christmas balls. Architect Allen Kight of Creole Design is the master behind this colonial revival-style home.

The formal dining room celebrates Marianne’s Louisiana heritage by honoring the tradition of Twelfth Night. A celebration held before the Feast of Epiphany, Twefth Night kicks off carnival season in many cultures around the world. A floral arrangement from Heights Boulevard Florist elevates the carnival theme with its fireworks explosion of color. v On this table set for royalty, each place setting includes Waterford crystal, mixed-matched hotel silver and two gold-rimmed plates, representing a collection of 100 plates from seven different patterns. To enhance the holiday theme, a red porcelain egg, a red Christmas ball and a gift await each dinner guest. v The kitchen table, from Marianne’s childhood family home, holds two Southern classics this holiday season: the Advent House, which will help the Sulser ’s son, Grant, countdown the days until Christmas, and the tabletop Christmas tree decorated with a collection of primarily red birds, some of which have also lit on the wrought iron fixture above the table. v The great room boasts a grand Christmas tree dressed in all red and adorned with over 1,000 balls. When a holiday tree makes this kind of statement, the simple strand of fresh greenery atop the armoire brings perfect balance to the holiday decor.