Suffolk News-Herald

The grounds and gardens of several homes in the Westhaven Lakes community are being showcased in the Nansemond River Garden Club’s 2004 Historic Garden Week Tour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 23.

Garden clubs across the state are offering tours this week, with funds being raised earmarked for the restoration of historic grounds and gardens throughout the state.

This year’s theme is &uot;TGIF in Suffolk.&uot;

Co-chairwomen of the event, Linda Consolvo and Carleen Rollins, will welcome participants to the event.

Block tickets, which entitle you to see all the homes on the Suffolk tour, are $15, said Elizabeth Smith, ticket sales chairwoman. Single house admission is $5 per person. Children 13 and over pay full price; ages 6-12, $7; and ages 5 and under, free.

Advance tickets are $13. To purchase tickets, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Mrs. A.W. Smith, 515 W. Riverview Drive, Suffolk 23434. Tickets will also be available for sale at each home on the tour.

Refreshments will be served at the Suffolk Museum, 118 Bosley Ave. A garden-related exhibit and restroom facilities are available at this location. For lunch, the garden club requests that you please visit one of Suffolk’s downtown restaurants. Other points of historic interest in downtown Suffolk include the Main Street Train Station Railroad Museum and Gift Shop, 326 North Main St.; the Suffolk Visitor Center in the Prentis House, 321 N. Main St.; and Riddick’s Folly, 510 N. Main St.

One of the homes featured in the Garden Week Tour belongs to Linda and William A. Nash Jr. of 1209 Mt. Pleasant Drive. This is the first time their home has been open to tours.

As soon as you enter this house, you know it was built with family and entertaining in mind. The wainscoted living and dining rooms are decorated with all sorts of family heirlooms: furniture, silver, oriental rugs and china.

Particularly noteworthy are the Victorian card tables in both rooms and the tall case clock, made by William Nash’s father, in the dining room.

The well-proportioned kitchen, featuring a bank of built-in storage cabinets, is adjacent to a sun-lit peach breakfast area that provides a view of the lake. The kitchen is also near a cozy library. On either side of this inviting room, is an office with Civil War memorabilia and a spacious sunroom that affords a view of the yard, lake and deck designed and built by William Nash.

Local artist Alva Joyner painted a bold mural on the walls of the downstairs half-bath, and throughout the first floor are paintings collected by the owners. One special painting in the library is done by Nancy Marchant and in the breakfast room, a cheery painting of flowers by Maude Williams.

The second floor, like the first, has been designed to accommodate this active family.

The master suite showcases the sewing talents of Linda Nash who designed and sewed the bed dressings and curtains. The Federal period pieces of antique furniture show well against the sunny yellow walls.

Linda Nash’s artistic penchant is displayed throughout the home, with a custom-designed mural by the artist Carol Longermere Harrell in the upstairs hallway depicting the family’s interest.

In Linda Nash’s sewing room is a delightful hand-painted chest entitled the &uot;Nashville Store&uot; by Harrell. A collection of antique mirrors in Linda Nash’s bathroom adds a unique flair.

This family-oriented home is complete with a large family/game room with a display of Lionel trains and model boats. This room, like the library and sunroom, has a large fireplace. Featuring a hand-blown Italian fire screen, inherited from family, the screen is an eye-catching accessory.