On Akron’s North Hill, a family of reindeer welcomes you to this charming Dutch Colonial with its navy blue siding and distinctive gambrel roof. The house was built in 1929 for Carl Shank, who worked at Goodyear, and his wife, Ruth. The current homeowners have owned the house for 12 years and have spent that time restoring or remodeling every room.
In the living room, the mantel is completely hidden beneath a collection of family Christmas items: Santa figurines, snowmen, trees, and an animatronic Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Stockings hang from the mantel, where two nutcracker sentries guard the bookcases and fireplace. Garlands with red and gold bulbs and tiny red poinsettias grace the windows and arched doorways of the room. Across the room are two creches: the owner hand-painted one to match his grandmother’s, and the second one depicts the village of Bethlehem, a gift from his parents. The large tree here matches the color scheme of the garlands with the addition of gold and red beading swags and a red velvet angel for the topper. You’ll find an elf balanced on a little ladder next to the tree, putting the finishing touches on the festive room.
Next is the dining room with its white wainscoting and chair rail moulding and purple walls. The white flocked tree emanates a pink glow. Magenta, teal, green, and striped ornament bulbs and pink poinsettias all complement the room’s color. The radiating star tree topper in the same color scheme adds a festive final touch. A garland of greenery and matching bulbs hangs in the bay window. The window seat below features a two-level Christmas village with 16 buildings and numerous village inhabitants enjoying the snowy winter weather. If you look carefully, you will find Akron’s own Luigi’s Restaurant. Pastel bottlebrush trees sit atop the buffet, where holiday treats and sweets await visitors. The dining room table is set with a grandparent’s Nikko Happy Holidays dinnerware.
To update the kitchen, the homeowners combined two small areas into one larger, more functional space. New cabinets, granite countertops, a herringbone backsplash, and a tile floor were added in the 2018 renovation. Green wreaths with orange slices and plaid bows hang on cupboard doors. Similar greenery, featuring more orange slices and gingerbread figures, decorates the wall near the dining room. The bright red KitchenAid stand mixer adds a pop of Christmas color to the room.
On the way upstairs, notice the framed newspaper article from a 1955 edition of the “Martin Ferry Times Leader” hanging above the stairs. The article, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” is illustrated with photos of the homeowner’s father, uncle, and grandparents. On the landing, a slender tree is covered with red, green, and gold ornaments, and an elf is checking the mailbox. What’s inside? It’s a special card from the homeowner’s son when he was just a preschooler.
Upstairs in the guest bedroom, with its dark green walls, a red-and-white decorating theme predominates. Santa, carrying a fully packed sack, leans against the wall beside a frosted tree decorated with red and gold ornaments, candy canes, Santa ornaments, and red poinsettias. It seems there isn’t room for one more decoration! At the top of the tree, red-and-white lollipop balls radiate beneath a white-bearded gnome with a steeply pointed striped hat. The bedding is a reindeer coverlet with matching windowpane-plaid pillow shams. The dark green headboard sits against a white brick wall and is draped with a swag highlighted with small red-and-white bulbs.
In the main bedroom, a silver tree, completely covered in silver, white, and blue bulbs, enhances the blue walls of the bedchamber. Equally lavish garlands hang above the windows. A faux-stone accent wall creates a modern backdrop for the bed. Above the closet, reindeer and moose figures nestle into evergreen boughs and pinecones.
The remodeled bathroom with dark gray walls boasts a large glass-enclosed shower with marble walls, a modern claw-foot tub, and tile floors. Wreaths hang inside the shower, and a glittering red dress form, all gussied up for the season with her Christmas tree skirt and fur collar, stands in the tub.