December 10, 2007

The Holly and the Ivy

Ainsley House celebrates holidays with open house, teas and tours

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Editor

The 13th annual holiday celebration at Campbell’s Ainsley House spirited visitors into the essence of the season.
The theme this year is The Holly and the Ivy after the Christmas carol of the same name. The historic Ainsley rooms are decorated by a talented group of local designers, florists and volunteers who transform the grand house inside and out into a seasonal wonderland.

Ainsley House docent Debbie Kranefuss welcomes visitors in 1920s dress. Photos by Jeanne C. Carbone

“The holidays are our busiest time,” said Campbell Historical Museum and Ainsley House Curator and Director Karen Lange. “The house looks so enchanting and I’m so amazed at what the designers and decorators do. Everyone does a great job and the Ainsley House looks beautiful.”

Decorating the 15 rooms of the Ainsley House is a challenge. Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, nails may not be added to attach holiday wreaths, ribbons and ornaments. Normally this would deter someone from hanging decorations but not the decorators who tackle the task embellishing the historic rooms with the charm of days gone by.

Some of the designers have adorned the rooms of the Ainsley House on previous years. Downtown Campbell’s Garo-falo’s Interiors and Antiques chose the upstairs green bedroom suite this year to decorate with a charming array of birds, cages and decorated trees calling the special space English Audubon.

The living room was a sparkling golden array of seasonal embellishments complete with handmade masks on one of the two Christmas trees created by Angela Grilli. The kitchen and maids’ room charmed with the many miniatures created by the Mini-Cal Club of Santa Clara. First time Ainsley designers Magical Room Makeovers’ Susan Dearing and Palms Party Planner’s Iffat Khamisha chose the spacious master suite.

“I love this house,” said Ainsley House docent Mary Burfine in the breakfast room overlooking the gardens. “It’s a fascinating place. When they built their retirement home it cost $50,000. The Ainsley’s only lived here 17 years.”

“It was a challenge to decorate since nothing can be nailed on the walls,” said Khamisha. “But it’s a lot of fun. I really enjoyed being part of it. Everyone does such a fabulous job.”

John and Alcinda Ainsley built the home in 1925 in the English Tudor Revival style originally at the corner of Bascom and Hamilton Avenues. Ainsley had emigrated from England to California in 1886 and made his fortune canning fresh fruit, which almost was exclusively exported to his native land.

One of the most striking features of the Ainsley House is the roof, which is designed to look like the thatched roofs of England. It had been replaced this year with a cost of $220,000. The original construction of the home cost $50,000 in the 1920s. The house was moved in 1990 to its present location, restored and furnished with much of the original furniture of the era. The house and most of the furnishings were donated to the city of Campbell by the Ainsley’s granddaughters, Geraldine Lloyd Hicks and Georgene Lloyd Bowen.

And it’s only fitting that the grand Ainsley House is decorated during the holidays. The Ainsley’s moved in to their new home in time to celebrate Christmas 1925.

The Ainsley House is decorated inside and out for the holiday season.

“I come every year but I usually do the teas,” said Campbell resident Jane Medeiros who brought her neighbor Mary Jane Wheeler for the festivities. “This really is Christmassy and gets you in the spirit.”

For many visitors the open house or the teas and guided tours are a holiday tradition and they return each year to enjoy the decorations, music, inspiration for decorating ideas their own home, shop for a special gift at the Museum Boutique and have refreshments afterwards in the Carriage House. For others it brings nostalgia for a simpler time.

“I’m living in the wrong time,” said first time visitor Saratoga resident Terri Sanislo. “Visiting the Ainsley House made me want to go up the beautiful decorated staircase and crawl into the silk and lace covers in one of the bedrooms. I would feel right at home.”

The Ainsley House holiday open house is Dec. 7, 13 and 16 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. with refreshments served in the Carriage House. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at 51. N. Central Ave. or at the door. Holiday Tea and Tours are held Dec. 1 through Dec. 11. Tickets are $25 weekdays and $30 weekends. Call (408) 866-2757 for more information. Tours are offered daily from Dec. 1-16.