Houses all decked out for Holiday Homes Tour

Photos Courtesy of Kristin Thebaud POLAR EXPRESS—Gregg Reulbach and his family have adorn their house for the Holiday Home Tour with antique and modern train sets. Here, a Christmas train makes its way across the kitchen island. Money raised through the 2005 Holiday Homes Tour wilbenefit the Wellness Community and area cancer patients and their families. Four area homes will be decked out for the 2005 Holiday Homes Tour and opened to the public on Sat. and Sun., Dec. 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Proceeds of the event will benefit the Wellness Community in support of cancer patients and their families.

The 14th annual event will showcase the homes adorned in themed holiday décor for Christmas and Hanukkah.

Gregg and Chris Reulbach’s Westlake Village home will feature an elaborate train collection, including vintage locomotive sets from the 1920s.

“My husband will have five trains running, dating from preWorld War I to today’s vocal trains that are computerized,” said Chris.

Several rooms in the Reulbachs’ home will be festooned with Christmas cheer. The living room will be transformed into the train room, while the den will sport a different theme. A Santa Claus collection and other Christmas memorabilia will transform the kitchen, and even the dining room will glisten with the holiday cheer of ruby red dinnerware and other charming touches.

WHISTLE STOP—This model train at the Reulbach residence is one of the Holiday Home Tour’s many attractions. Chris already has a favorite room: the bathroom. “That’s my angel room,” she said. “It’s the best room in the house.”

Touted as the “All Aboard Holiday Express” themed house, the Reulbach home will be the only one on the tour to feature a holiday boutique. Brandeis Portraiture in Westlake Village will offer several discounted packages for tour participants, depending on the amount they contribute to the Wellness Community.

Chris said that while she loves to “decorate for Christmas anyway,” the Wellness Community “has a special place in our hearts.” Gregg’s brother and father both died of cancer.

In Agoura Hills, the Morrison Highland home of David and Tami Wank will feature a “Celebrate Good Times” theme. The front of the home will be blanketed in snow, and an 8-foot nutcracker will greet guests.

The Wanks celebrate Hanukkah, so instead of Christmas trees and Santas, areas of their home will showcase signed sports memorabilia and photos, a collection of menorahs and dreidels, and jewel-toned decorations that incorporate a “carnivale” theme and what Tami Wank calls a “King Midas” touch.

The adult game room, Tami said, will feature sports collectibles from Joe Dimaggio, Mickey Mantle and others. Theater chairs in the room have seats custom painted with portraits of Humphrey Bogart, James Dean, Jane Fonda and Marilyn Monroe.

The kitchen will feature menorahs and dreidels, some created by their children, as well as the Wanks’ personal collection. Hanukkah treats, including “gelt,” latkes (potato pancakes) and jelly dougnuts, will be offered to guests.

The Wanks’ home incorporates whimsical elements, including a polar bear on a treadmill in the bathroom.

Tami said Mr. Christmas, a holiday decorator to the stars, is designing their home, and they are also employing Mr. B’s Flowers. Although the cost of decorating their home for the holiday tour is about $10,000, Tami said the $60,000 to $90,000 return for the Wellness Community makes it worthwhile.

A “Magical Mystery Tour” will be conducted at Rocky and Linda Mills’ home in Westlake Village as a tribute to the Beatles. A collection of Beatles memorabilia will be showcased. Beatles tribute band The Fab Four will perform at the home on Dec. 4, and the Mills will display John Lennon’s gold record “Imagine.”

Another Westlake Village home, owned by Chris and Susan O’Brien, will feature five themed Christmas trees and unique decorative touches with a holiday party atmosphere. The O’Briens will have their home theater ornamented and will show off a guitar signed by the lead singer of REO Speedwagon.   

Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 at the door. They can be purchased at Paper Post in Agoura Hills and at Andi’s Hallmark, Canfield Persons, the Décor Store and at the Wellness Community Valley/Ventura chapter in Westlake Village.

In Thousand Oaks, tickets can be purchased at Canfield Persons at the Oaks Mall, Oakbrook Florist and Zender’s.

The Décor Store in Simi Valley will also be selling tickets, and in Newbury Park, tickets can be purchased at Sadie’s Hallmark. In Woodland Hills, tickets can be purchased at Deforest’s Patio, Fireside & Christmas Shop.

Tickets can also be purchased online at www.TwcVv.org.