Avondale Estates Christmas Tour of Homes and Holiday Market
THE 31ST ANNUAL Christmas Tour of Homes & Holiday Market will be held on Sunday, December 10 from 3 until 8 p.m. with the Holiday Market from noon-6 p.m.. Six homes representing the various styles of architecture in the city will be featured on the tour.
Johnny Garcia and Patrick Gregware have known about Avondale Estates while living nearby for years. After finding a home on Clarendon Place, Johnny presented the property to Patrick as a Christmas gift in 2020. Before moving in, they completely remodeled their 1931 English cottage, which features four working fireplaces, one made from Stone Mountain granite. Christmas decorations feature a large collection of ornaments by Christopher Radko, where Patrick was once the visual director of the company.
After Edwin and Kathleen Link’s children got into the Museum School, they moved to their completely renovated home in 2015. Originally a one-story ranch built in 1950, Brickmont Homes Builders opened up the main floor and added a second floor. Purchasing a frasier fir from Christmas Corner in Pineola, North Carolina every Thanksgiving is a cherished family tradition. The tree will showcase Kathleen’s Santa collection, which began with a gift of a Possible Dreams Santa from her grandmother 30 years ago.
Lindsey Grant, who grew up in Druid Hills, found a home around the corner from her sister, and she and Patrick Bowen moved from Switzerland to Avondale in 2020. Purchasing the midcentury ranch built in 1951 from a builder who had renovated it, Lindsey and Patrick upgraded the kitchen, bathrooms and common spaces in 2022. For Christmas, the home will become a Winter Wonderland, highlighting the natural beauty of Christmas with lights, greenery and an abundance of whimsy.
Living nearby, Katherine and Kirk Benson had always admired Avondale Estates. Purchasing their 1980s Cottage in 2019, they completely remodeled the entire interior while living in their garage apartment during 2022-2023. Adding a screened-in porch and living room, they opened the kitchen, created an ensuite bedroom, and converted the original living room into a mudroom. On display in their front yard are Santa and his reindeer, originally purchased by a grandparent from Sears Roebuck in the 1950s.
Jodi Florence found her Craftsman-style home built in 2008 on Windsor Walk, part of a small John Willis development known as Reynolds Park. This section of Avondale Estates was divided from the city when MARTA was built in the 1970s. Jodi had a lifelong connection to Avondale, visiting her great-grandfather for years at his home in town. At Christmas, Jodi changes out the art in her home for her Christmas art collection and showcases her interesting collection of nativities.
Cathy Moody and Kamile Rasheed moved to their new home in Avondale Estates less than two years ago after living in Druid Hills for 35 years. As the second owners of the Craftsman built in 2019, they added bookcases to their front room, which also showcases their 1960s Yamaha baby grand piano. Featured throughout their home is art created by various Atlanta artists, and their Christmas decorations include collections from many years, now freshly displayed.
The Avondale Holiday Market is Sunday, December 10 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Avondale Lake House. The 2023 market will include beloved vendors selling their handknitted scarves, chocolates, honey, jewelry, photography, bird feeders, smoked salmon, jams and ornaments. Come support the market vendors and finish off your Christmas shopping list with one-of-a-kind gifts. While you are there, enjoy soup and sandwiches at the Holiday Market Café. In addition to the featured homes, the city will be lit up along every street in the Avondale Estates Business District and in the plazas around town.
Purchase pre-sale tour tickets at Finders Keepers Furnishings, Garage Door Studio or Intown Ace Hardware for $15 or online at bigtickets.com for $20. On the day of the tour, tickets will be for sale for $20 at the Avondale Lake House. Small buses will be available for the tour from 3 until 5 p.m. or 6 until 8 p.m. Contact Margaret Lunsford at mplcvl(at)aol(dotted)com to sign up for a spot on a bus.
