Nov. 10, 2021
For more information:
Kristi Scates
Assistance League of Coppell Holiday Home Tour Chairman
(214) 642-6271 or akscates@verizon.net
Assistance League Holiday Home Tour Benefits Coppell Community
Coppell, Texas – Area residents are encouraged to celebrate the holiday season by visiting four local homes, each with a unique story and adorned in festive splendor, during Assistance League of Coppell’s 21st Holiday Home Tour Dec. 3-4.
This year’s charity fundraising event features the homes of Dave and Stephanie Jimenez, 1519 Coventry Court; Charles and Debbie Hardin, 312 Parkview Place; Robby and Kathy McBrayer, 340 Meadowood Lane; and Patcee Becerra, 326 Devon Drive.
The event is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 3, offers a candlelight tour from 7 to 9 p.m., also on Friday, and continues from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4.
Participants may join the tour at any of the homes. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $25 t https://coppellholidayhometour.eventbrite.com or for $30 at the door.
The outside of the Jimenez’ home, which was built by Holmes Builders in 1995, features an iconic turret reminiscent of old England. But on the inside, every room has been remodeled.
Mrs. Jimenez’ parents, who own Buford Thompson Company, a construction company specializing in K-12 schools, drove the design process shortly after this blended family came together.
Every December, many of the rooms feature a themed tree or a Christmas collection.
The Grinch tree greets visitors who walk in the front door. To the left, the dining room table is transformed into a quaint village with Department 56 ceramic figurines.
The living room has a modern spin with a black tree and metallic ornaments. Of significance is a first copyright edition of Gone with the Wind gifted to Mrs. Jimenez by her grandmother and a Purple Heart awarded to Jimenz’ father, Julius.
Dazzling light fixtures illuminate the path to the beautifully remodeled kitchen. The curio cabinet features a Harry Potter figurine collection, as well as notable family honors. On the poolside patio participants can donate $20 and select a bag with a mystery bottle of wine and play a short game on the putting green.
The downstairs features a red and white tree, a potbelly grandfather clock and a statue. The second floor is equally enchanting with themed trees and a secret hideaway “trophy room” that showcases a Star Wars LEGO collection.
The Hardin home resembles a beloved storybook, with whimsical art, holiday décor and family photos capturing fond memories meant to be shared. Hand-painted quotes like, “If these walls could talk…” are thoughtfully scripted on the walls for added charm.
This two-story house, built in 1990 by Jim Vining, is packed with visual interest. It could be affectionately called “The Collection House” due to the abundance of joyfully acquired flamingos, skulls, birdhouses and Santas.
For Christmas, the home is festively decorated with a total of nine trees. Many have themes including birds and nutcrackers, but the most cherished one is an angel tree created in 1994 in honor of the couple’s deceased daughter, Leslie. Throughout the house, about 80 angels lovingly grace the rooms.
“There isn’t a room that hasn’t been touched,” according to homeowner Kathy McBrayer about her home at 340 Meadowood Lane in Park Meadows, purchased in 2014. The house was built by Dorsey Homes in 1989 for the former Dallas Cowboy football player, Kelvin Martin.
The McBrayers customized the house to meet their needs, and the many renovations will interest tour-goers for their creativity. For example, the locations of the dining room and living room were switched to better accommodate family and friends. A large, custom dining table was built by a local Coppell artisan to fit the room. Built-in cabinets were added around an updated limestone fireplace to display and store family heirlooms.
The kitchen and family room were also completely remodeled. After demolition, all that remained were two built-in bookcases.
The back patio is an entertainer’s delight. The heated pool with a tanning ledge was designed to be nestled into the garden. The covered patio includes a seating area, television and grills.
Under the arched doorway of the Becerras’ clay tile roof and beyond the heavy carved wooden doors, the Becerra Spanish casa embodies the importance of family heritage in the Red Hawk subdivision.
Built 6½ years ago by Cambridge Homes, the Becerra home is intentionally furnished with meaningful family mementos. Guests see the first examples showcased in Becerras’ study filled with antiques and heirlooms – a vintage typewriter, wall mounted telephone, 1942 crucifix and a flag honoring his veteran father. The tree in the corner overflows with Disney and McDonald’s toy ornaments.
The guest room tree sparkles with Swarovski crystal trimmings and houses a chest from the Mary Kay estate – one of many pieces from the collection throughout the home. The media room features a rare cocktail Roy Clark pinball machine with family pictures lining the walls.
Mrs. Becerra’s Dickens Village collection, spanning more than 20 years, is in the family room. The table is decorated in red and green with a cactus vein serving as an eclectic centerpiece. Nearby, a Christmas tree with an ornament from each of the Becerras’ 30 years of marriage is on display. The kitchen features a Santa collection while another Christmas tree in the family room is wrapped with collections found during travel adventures. The dining room is home to Mrs. Becerra’s newly acquired antique children’s sleigh from Norway.
A few years ago, the Becerras added a maintenance-free outdoor casita designed by builder Terry Holmes. Mrs. Becerra worked with an artist in Australia to design the metal sculptures and Corten steel fence made by local artisans. In the casita, Assistance League of Coppell is selling its annual Christmas ornament, as well as raffle tickets for newly added prizes.
Assistance League of Coppell is an all-volunteer, 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, which has transformed the lives of children and adults in the Coppell area for more than 20 years through a wide range of philanthropic programs. Last year, more than $19,000 benefitted families, students and seniors in the area and made a difference in the lives of more than 2,600 individuals. Donations raised during Coppell Holiday Home Tour will be used to support philanthropic programs, including Operation School Bell, Helping Hearts, Senior Scholarships and Youth Today. For more information, visit assistanceleague.org/Coppell.
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