One of the items that Heather and Jason Moore had on their list for their realtor when they were looking for a home to purchase in Morris was windows — in every room, and large ones with beautiful views.
This is definitely something they found when they purchased their home at 1075 Wooded Crest Dr., Morris, almost six years ago.
The Moore’s lovely home, along with four others, will be featured during the 2012 “Home for the Holidays” Housewalk from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23.
Because of Heather’s job with Aldi as the Dwight divisional vice president, they were relocating from North Carolina. Morris seemed the perfect spot since she would be working in Dwight.
Jason has been a stay-at-home dad the last 12 years — keeping all at home running smoothly with their two children, Dawson, 12, and Olivia, 8. The pets are also a part of the Moore family — dog, Pugsy, and two cats, Oreo and Pumpkin.
The entry of the Moore home, with its cathedral ceilings and open stairway leading to a catwalk on the second story overlooking the living room as well as the entry, is central to this home’s design.
Heather would say her style in decorating is traditional with classic looks. She employed local artisan and designer Julie Massino, owner of Affordable Elegance, to design and sew all of the window treatments, as well as various pillows, cushions and the bedspread in the master bedroom in their home. Julie also had a hand in paint color choices for rooms and designing floral arrangements and other décor as well.
Olivia, being 8 1/2 not just 8, is a busy young lady involved in the Dance Company Forte at Pam’s Academy of Dance. Olivia is in the third grade at White Oak Elementary. She loves to be outside, loves the colors pink and purple, loves Pillow Pets, plays the piano and spends quite a bit of time going to her brother’s sports games. Be sure to notice the pretty purple quilt called “Little Dutch Girl,” made by her Grandma Hay, that is on her bed.
Dawson’s first love is baseball. In fact, Jason, Dawson’s dad, began the Tomahawks program in Morris, which Dawson played in for several years. Tomahawks is a traveling baseball team under the Morris Athletic Association.
Dawson now plays travel baseball through Wiers in Morris and plays basketball and baseball at Shabbona, where he is in the seventh grade. Playing guitar, piano, watching football, especially the Packers, and playing a few video games takes up much of Dawson’s time. So when Housewalk visitors see this young man’s bedroom, it will be evident that sports is the theme.
The guest bedroom is done in the colors sage and gold. Again, classic lines include a wingback chair for seating and a bedspread and curtains complementary to the room.
When one envisions a master suite, many of the details of Heather and Jason’s may come to mind. First of all, the entrance is double doors; the ceiling is vaulted, open above between the bedroom and bath; there is a sitting room attached; magnificent and ornate window treatments; a “step into” whirlpool tub and a walk-in shower.
Of course, the colors are rich and classic — the bedroom crimson and the bathroom walls of crimson with a faux finish of gold. But just to bring us a bit more to real life, Heather shares that the sitting room, when not ready for hundreds of Housewalk visitors, is really a work room, usually with ironing board up and at pre-Christmas, wall-to-wall wrapping paper and gifts ready to wrap, strewn on the floor.
Downstairs visitors will see the piano room, as the family calls it. Originally, Dawson, at age 7, and Heather together began piano lessons from local music teacher, Marcie Kumor. Heather smiles as she says that Dawson still continues with the lessons, not her.
In this room, be sure to take a look at the window seat, done in warm colors of peach and brown. It’s a perfect place to sit and gaze out to the front yard.
Jason often works at his desk in the office. This man loves sports. He played college football when he attended Cornell College in Iowa. There’s an assortment of sports memorabilia. including a collection of autographed baseballs.
One to notice is from Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Olivia spent many days in Wake Forest Hospital as a baby. She was born three months premature. Jason also mentioned he enjoys golf, especially playing with his son.
The living room, again with these magnificent windows, is warm, comfortable, and connected to the dining/kitchen area by a gas fireplace. There is an open floor plan, so on a typical evening, Heather can be preparing dinner in the kitchen, complete with washed cherry cupboards and a ceramic tile surround, as Olivia and Dawson do their homework at the pine dining table. Be sure to glance up above the table to see the tin ceiling in the dining room.
The family’s Christmas tree is placed in front of the windows in the living room, looking out to the backyard. There’s some traditions to mention with the ornaments. As a child, Heather received a new ornament for the tree each Christmas from her mom and dad. She has carried on this tradition with their children, Olivia and Dawson. Lenox ornaments are favorites.
As Housewalk visitors near exiting this home, they will pass through the formal dining room. In the hutch is a collection of teacups that Heather’s mom, Marcella, gathered as she and Heather’s dad traveled Europe. They were stationed in England for many years while Heather’s dad was in the Air Force. He served for more than 21 years throughout the world.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at downtown businesses, as well as at any of the homes on the Housewalk or the complimentary tea done by Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 202 W. Jefferson St.
Proceeds from the Housewalk are given to Grundy Community Hospice, Morris Downtown Beautification and scholarships for Morris High school and GAVC seniors.
“Home for the Holidays” Housewalk guests will be pleased to know their tickets are also entries in the grand prize drawing, which features a $300 Grundy Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificate, a dinner at Chapin’s, wine from Montages Spirits and Gifts, a collection of gift certificates from the Morris Retail Association and a complimentary stay at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites.
Laurie Wantland is the hostess coordinator for this home.
