Welcome to 'The Symphony Splendor Holiday Home Tour'

The outside of the 152-year-old farmhouse on Murdstone Road in Upper St. Clair is adorned with festive wreaths on every window, as well as the front door.

The minute you see it, the holiday season has arrived.

Dressed to the nines, it’s one of seven stops on the sixth annual Symphony Splendor Holiday Home Tour from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 24. The event benefits the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Adding to the yuletide spirit, musicians will be entertaining in each home.

About the house

The farmhouse, owned by Nancy and Robert Spears, was known as the Orr family homestead dating back to the Civil War era. The couple has invested in restoring the home, going to great lengths to preserve its rich history.

“Our tour is so diverse,” says Cathy Trombetta, chairwoman of the event. “Nancy and Robert have worked so hard on this house. It is so tastefully done.

“And to find a jewel like this house is wonderful. All of our homeowners are amazing.”

Trombetta often rides on the house tour shuttle so she can talk with guests and get feedback on the event in order to improve it year after year.

“They always tell me they appreciate the homeowners opening their houses,” she says. “And we have many of them who tell me that this tour has become a part of their holiday tradition.”

Nancy Spears says she hopes to create a sense of holiday tradition for the people who walk through her house.

Professional decorator

Spears owns Savoy Interior Design, specializing in classic and timeless design of residential and small commercial interiors.

In her professional career, Spears has renovated a home by Frank Lloyd Wright’s apprentice, Peter Brandston; created non-institutional, happy and fun environments at the Children’s Institute in Squirrel Hill and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Lawrenceville; and renovated the Point Breeze Veterinary Clinics.

She focuses on collaborating with Western Pennsylvania and other Pennsylvania companies, such as the Faucet Doctor, Tile & Designs and Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring.

One of her favorite places to find pieces is Construction Junction in the East End, because you never know what you are going to find, she says.

“I love recycling items, because I don’t want them to end up in a landfill,” saysSpears, who grew up in Uniontown. “We all have an obligation to this planet.”

Paying attention to details

When you walk into the Spears house, you immediately see the attention to detail, from the hand towels with the words “Joy” and “Cheer” on them to the Sherle Wagner faucet in the first-floor bathroom, which has a 1940s cobalt blue tub.

The dining room is set for a celebration. There are decorative napkin holders at each of the Limoges china place settings. Glasses are adorned with beads; the centerpiece is full of flowers, fruits and greenery.

“This house is museum quality,” Trombetta says.

Take a walk downstairs and you will feel like you’ve entered the Civil War era. There you find a chess set, miniature toy soldiers on the mantel and pewter place settings at the table, along with an 1862 musket and 1854 revolver.

Throughout the house there is a blending of time periods and styles, including Victorian, French and Chippendale. The couple has lived there since 1993, with six dogs and a cat. They put an addition onto the house in 2000.

There is a Fraser fir Christmas tree adorned with festive ornaments and decorative bulbs and greenery throughout the house.

Through a stained glass window is a cozy breakfast room. There is terracotta tile in the kitchen and 1927 hardwood flooring.

“I am so proud of this house,” Spears says. “It’s a country home, an elegant home. It’s not glitzy. I like to think it’s balanced, and I want people to see it’s lived in. There is an amazing legacy here.

“People in Pittsburgh have changed the world. Being part of this house tour can highlight what some of those people have done and we want to be a part of a holiday tradition for those who come to the house tour,” she says.

Buy from the boutique

New this year is the Symphony Splendor Boutiques.

Vendors include the Idea Shop, Thistledown Home & Art, W&W Designs, Castriota Designs, Ice & Elegance, HM Designs, Me & My Shadow, Springhouse, Cyprowski Candles and Donated Items. Start your holiday shopping with presents such as jewelry, gift ware, tabletop items, handcrafted goods, ornaments, accessories, candies and favors.

The boutique and guest check-in will be located at the corner of Siena Drive and Lucca Lane across from 100 Siena Drive, Upper St. Clair.

Tickets are $65, $55 in advance for those who choose to do a self-driving tour. A guided bus tour ticket can be purchased in advance for an additional $25.

Details: 412-392-3303 or pittsburghsymphonyassociation.org