Just a brief report on the Salem house tour. I have been on this one many times and it is always different because Salem is one of New England's greatest treasures in terms of old houses and history. This year's tour was low on Christmas decorations and ideas but high on architectural interest. Re Christmas, the best was the house decorated by a local florist called Fiddleheads--great use of flowers and other natural material. The emphasis this year was on Samuel McIntyre, late 18c architect and woodcarver, and true American genius. There's a wonderful exhibit of his career at the Peabody Essex Musem in Salem right now--ends sometime in Feb. So most of the open houses had some kind of McIntyre connection, including one with the only extant McIntyre fence left in Salem. For anyone interested in landscape, the fences and finials, gates and breathtaking front entrances, either done or inspired by McIntyre, are gorgeous to see. Even if you missed the tour, next summer, take a walk around the McIntyre Historic District and take a look at these. There's a lot to see from the sidewalk. Salem was also the birthplace of many important aspects of early American horticulture. You can see where the gardens used to be--sad. Some gardens exist but I don't know of any that once made Salem famous. I hope I'm wrong.

Somehow my review of the Astors Beechwood Mansion Victorian Christmas tour (Newport RI) we went on a few weeks ago wasn't posted here. I'll try again (I do remember writing it!): See link below for details of the tour. No advanced tickets are required just show up 15 mins before the time to buy your tickets. The tour consisted of 20 minutes that you can tour the various rooms on your own. In each room was a costumed guide that recounted information about the people, furniture, history, etc. Each person kept in character as they answered questions. The various guides in each room had fascinating stories but we felt rushed to see all the rooms as it had been quite a long time since we visited the mansion. Each room was decorated with Christmas related decorations. Next all were invited to the ballroom where the costumed guides put on a show for 40 minutes. The show consisted of piano playing, singing Christmas carols, dancing, playing popular parlor games of the time, etc. (all keeping with the time period of the house). Various audience members participated in all the events except the initial Christmas carols. So if you are shy avoid sitting in the front rows and you won't be asked to participate! Some comments: The Christmas decorations were much simplier than the Newport Mansions decorated for XMas. We did feel rushed touring the rooms in the initial 20 minutes portion. I think if we had more time for this it would have been better. The Xmas songs and performances by the guides were very good (voices/music etc.) The price of an adult ticket was $20 for this hour long event (so kind of steep for a for-profit enterprise!). I would say if you are more interested in decorations touring the 3 Newport Mansions for $25 total (Breakers, Marble House and Elms) would be the thing to do. So while the tour wasn't totally bad, it wasn't the best either (average). Here is a link that might be useful: Astors Beecwood Christmas Tour - Newport RI

There are so many house tours this time of year. Once you start looking for them they are all over the place. I've never been inside Gore Place. I've been to plant sales before. Thanks Cady! Here is another one: Merrimack Valley Catholic Charities will be holding its Holiday House Tour "Christmas at the Faulkner Mansion" atop Belvidere Hill in Historic Lowell, Massachusetts on Sunday,December 10th 2006. The House Tour is Noon  4PM. A Twilight Tour and Cocktail Reception will be held at the mansion,sponsored by RicardoÂs Café Trattoria, from 5:30PM  8PM. For further information, please call 978-452-1421 or visit our website www.ccab.org/mvcc. Proceeds benefit needy families who receive services from Merrimack Valley Catholic Charities.

Those are all beautiful rooms, Holly. I think part of the problem with both beige and gray as trendy colors is how they are used. When you see a gray room without any contrast, color or texture, it's too much. The same goes for relentlessly beige and tan rooms I have seen, filled with brown leather sofas and not an once of color to relive the tedium. People who are not as attuned to interiors as say designers or decorating amateurs see a Joanna Gains gray interior, but they miss all the other parts that make the room work. The color is easy to pick out for everyone, the details, which make the design work blend into the background for those who dod not look at interiors a lot, or critically.