Tour de Vestavia

You won’t have to leave Vestavia Hills city limits to complete an upcoming holiday home tour.

The Samford University Legacy League will hold its third annual Christmas Home Tour on Thursday, Dec. 11. The 2014 tour features five homes, and proceeds will go toward endowing a new need-based scholarship.

 All homes will feature their holiday décor, and one stop, the Samford president’s house, will serve holiday hors d’oeuvres.

1647 Panorama Lane 

Laura and Larry Merrill

Completely gutted and renovated in 2007, this home has several vaulted ceilings, including in the kitchen, dining room and living room. Freely acknowledging that she “loves Christmas,” Laura uses multiple wreaths she makes from fresh greenery, and her tree is different every year. The Merrills’ decorations also include clay sculptures and pottery, as well as a homemade nativity. 

1638 Panorama Lane

Denise Upton 

This home includes several features that were unusual when it was built in the 1970s, such as large closets, a huge laundry and an enormous pantry. The Upton home has been renovated and now boasts a reconstructed pool and upper and lower patios. Denise tries to keep her Christmas decorations somewhat simple, but she has a unique way of displaying nearly two dozen ornaments made by her two sons when they were young.

2104 Hickory Ridge Circle 

Dixie and Tom Brannon 

Dixie, a Legacy League member, was born and raised in Albuquerque, and American Indian influence can be seen throughout her home. Dixie said she is “a little fanatical about Christmas.” Her decorations include a nativity scene made from Jerusalem olive wood and a set of Mark Roberts fairies with a “Twelve Days of Christmas” theme. The designs of three Samford School of Interior Design students will add flair to three of the bedrooms as well.

3632 Altadena Drive 

Alisa and David Belcher 

This relatively new home on two and a half wooded acres in a quiet cul-de-sac features a recently completed outdoor living area. Alisa confesses to having “holiday sickness,” and she believes that the guideline “less is more” is definitely not true for Christmas! Her sense of Christmas being fun and exciting has been reinforced over the years by her mother, grandmother and mother-in-law. She loves to decorate and uses lots of greenery, both live and artificial, as well as ribbons of multiple textures and colors.

1994 Shades Crest Road 

Jeanna and Andy Westmoreland

The Samford president’s home is known for its multiple Christmas trees, a panoramic view of the Samford campus, and Jeanna’s collection of nutcrackers, which are always on display at Christmas.

Homes will be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased through Dec. 9 at samford.edu/legacyleague. Tickets will also be available at all featured homes during tour hours. For more information, visit the website or call 726-2247.

-Submitted by the Legacy League