Oct 29, 2007

Premiere party toasts Dickens House expansion

By Adria Murray / Society Columnist

For some, a school's holiday sale might conjure images of parent-donated baked goods and construction paper art projects. But for the St. Matthew's Episcopal Day School community, the Dickens House Holiday Boutique is not only the school's major annual fundraiser, it is arguably San Mateo County's premier one-stop holiday shopping destination.

And no, there's not a single Elmer's Glue craft project in sight.

Kicking off two weeks of deliciously charming holiday shopping, the Dickens House Opening Night Premiere Party on Oct. 18 was a feast for the eyes and a cork-popping celebration benefiting St. Matthew's financial aid program.

This year's Dickens show house, owned by Hillsborough residents Gary Sprague and Michele Freed, positively dripped with gold and sparkled like a cavern of diamonds. From the top story down, the house was draped in frosted, fuzzy, shiny and snow-covered merchandise. From petite rounded glass snowman candleholders to richly decorated Christmas trees and wreaths, every shopper's taste was accounted for at this world-of-Charles-Dickens-themed event.

Homeowners Sprague and Freed had purchased their Hillsborough home (built in 1910) with the idea of hosting Dickens House in mind. After attending the event for years, the couple was thrilled to have the opportunity to host Dickens House at their house. And with more than a dozen designers working pro bono on the home's interior design, who wouldn't be excited?

For the first time, this year's show house was open to the public weeks before the holiday decor arrived, giving the newly renovated house - and its featured designers - a chance to shine before the glittery holiday items took up residence last week.

"We feel the design tour is the start of something, a new way to grow in the future," Dickens House executive director Linda Handalian.

Congregated under heat lamps in the backyard (and aerating the lawn with their stiletto heels) were many of the party's 200 guests, including event leadership team members Emily Pope Taylor, Lynn Feeney, Susan Lynch, Rose Welch and Liz Lahham.

There was no stone left unturned - or sprinkler left on - by the leadership team members, who worked for months organizing every detail of the event.

"This represents hours and hours of volunteer effort," said St. Matthew's Head of School Mark McKee, as he looked over his shoulder at the glowing house behind him. "Our parents are so dedicated - it is just amazing."

Funds raised at this year's 19th annual Dickens House (running through Nov. 4) support need-based financial aid and educational programs through the Day School Foundation.

"Providing a good education is an expensive endeavor," McKee said. "Dickens House makes the education we offer our students possible."

In addition to the numerous parent volunteers in attendance were many sponsors from the business community. Joseph White of Lussori Luxury Watch and Jewelry was on hand at the premiere party to see St. Matthew's parent Gretchen Clark win the white gold, three-stone drop pendant raffle prize that Lussori had donated.

E-mail Adria Murray at amurray@dailynewsgroup.com.