gaitwhihald: Rockville Holiday Home Tour slated for Dec. 1

The home of Dan and Robin Vukovits

The Wilkins Mill guesthouse

ROCKVILLE -- Five homes will be on the annual Rockville Holiday Home Tour and Christmas Bazaar, scheduled for Dec. 1, between 1-6 p.m.

The homes' ages range from the 1830s to one built 11 years ago.

Another was once a place for trade transactions for both the English settlers and Native Americans.

The Christmas Bazaar has been brought back by popular demand.

The artists have donated craft and food items just in time to help with shopping lists.

All proceeds for the Home Tour and Bazaar will be used for Art Gallery in Rockville maintenance and restoration of the second floor.

The restoration project is underway and should be completed during the first part of the next year. A special celebration is currently being planned.

The following is a list of the homes on the tour:

* Dan and Robin Vukovits.

On old State Road 36, the home was built 11 years ago by Joe Miller.

The 4,000-square foot home has four to five bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths and is located on five acres.

The living area is very open and has country decor with neutral tones.

The decorating is a little eclectic with family antiques.

Robin collects Longaberger baskets, Cat's Meow village pieces, Row pottery and quilts.

Christmas collectibles include Dept. 56 North Pole Series, Anna Leigh dolls, Clothique Santas and Byers' Choice carolers.

Aunt Della and Robin's mother helped decorate for Christmas,

* Ted and Darla Burgess.

The home in Bloomingdale was built by James T. Boswell for his wife, Rachel Morris Boswell, in the early 1900s.

This Victorian Queen Anne Cottage contains some original ornate woodwork and light fixtures, which have been rewired.

There are hardwood floors throughout.

It has a cottage theme with soft colors and a casual feel with the addition of some antiques.

When renovated, a large man cave with a loft was added as well as a gourmet kitchen with quartz countertops and custom designed cabinetry.

The master bedroom and bath was updated with a custom vanity with a Bianco Carrara marble top, heated marble flooring and a refinished antique claw foot tub.

Special interests of Darla include gardening, antiques, baskets and collecting Santas.

Assisting in the decorating were daughter Natalie, sister Debbie McKinney, Dixie Hunt and Debbie Davies,

* Zane and Kelly Davies. The home in Bloomingdale was built in the 1830s and has been owned by Ferguson Lumber, Kersey Newlin and Elaine and Bill Davies.

The traditional farmhouse has had several renovations done by Joe Miller.

Five years ago, a garage was added and the kitchen was renovated.

Original fireplaces add to the home's charm.

Three years ago, the master bedroom and bath were renovated, and a stonewall added in the bedroom and bathroom.

The beautiful stairway plus calm and neutral colors also add to the charm of the historic home,

* Joel and Sondra Clendenin.

The 61-year-old home in Bloomingdale was built by Frank Garrard.

It was first lived in by Milton and Mildred Davies and later by Bill and Elaine Davies until 2011.

In 2011, Mike Sandusky Construction remodeled the entire home by adding a master bedroom and bath, dining room, office, a front porch and laundry room.

The color schemes include gallant golds, greens and reds.

The master bedroom is salmon.

The home sits on a beautiful hill surrounded by 23 acres of pasture and farmland.

It is an absolutely wonderful place for children, and

* Wilkins' Mill Guesthouse.

In the Bloomingdale area, the popular-sided structure next to the old Wilkins' Mill was built by George Wilkins in 1842.

It was the center of economic activity where English settlers and Native Americans traded goods.

Now reborn as the Wilkins' Mill Guesthouse, the former general store is the gathering spot for family and friends to enjoy the wooded area and scenic Wilkins' covered bridge.

Notice the two doors used for trading: One for English traders to enter and exit and one half-door for trading with the Native Americans.

Owner Jean Turnmire has preserved the hand-milled paneled walls and pine floors while adding air conditioning, heat, TV and a modern bath with a whirlpool tub.

The main cabin accommodates six, but extra guests can sleep on a sofa bed inside or on bunk beds on the screened-in porch.

A three-stall horse barn and paddocks are available for four-hoofed guests.

Tickets for the Home Tour, with directions and a map, are available at the Rockville Art Gallery on the north side of the square in Rockville. Cost is $10.

For more information, contact the gallery at 765-569-9422.