Christmas shines at Capitol Square Apartments

PITTSFIELD – Residents of Capitol Square Apartments, at 379 North St., have three elaborately-decorated, shimmering Christmas trees to enjoy throughout the season, thanks to the artistic efforts of Nancy A. Leone.

Ms. Leone lives at the complex, which offers apartments for the elderly.

Another resident, Linda Astore, individually decorated 62 bulletin boards outside each apartment, making every single one look cheerful and colorful.

She also designed large holiday wall hangings and decorations in main hallways, the dining room and lounge.

These two very industrious women appear happy to generously share their artistic and interior decorating talents with others.

Began right after Thanksgiving

Ms. Leone started decorating the trees the day after Thanksgiving so residents could enjoy seeing them for several weeks, she said.

She began with a large traditional tree with red and green accents in the front lobby. It towers in front of the glass windows facing North Street.

“This is where people hang out,” Ms. Leone said.

Beneath the tree is an intricately-decorated “gingerbread” house. Ms. Leone held a class for residents on how to make one and eight people attende

[media-credit id=3 align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]The houses are actually made from cardboard models she designed, but they look like the real thing.

A serene-looking all-blue tree twinkles in the dining room. Coordinating blue cloths and centerpieces have decorated tables this season. Silver angels fly among the branches.

[media-credit id=3 align=”alignright” width=”501″][/media-credit]Upstairs, across the hall from Ms. Leone’s apartment, an all-white tree with white lights and decorations startles visitors with its intense beauty.

[media-credit id=3 align=”alignright” width=”620″][/media-credit]“I love to do it,” she said, referring to decorating holiday trees.

Pink tree defies description

Inside her tastefully-decorated apartment, Ms. Leone’s tree, done completely in non-traditional pink, could easily take a top spot in the White House. It’s that stunning

[media-credit id=3 align=”alignright” width=”768″][/media-credit] 

Pink icicles, white birds with pink feather , pink bows and balls (in every imaginable style, design and size) and pink feathered ornaments, including Santas all in pink, contribute to a truly unique and picturesque Christmas tree.

Pink wire-edged ribbons cascade from the top to the bottom of the tree. Surrounding the tree on the floor is shiny pink material tied with bows. It adds an even more elegant touch to an already knockout tree.

At its very top, the tree sports a large, sparkly pink star.

Ms. Leon said she’s been collecting pink décor for her tree for more than two decades. She bought many of them at stores such as Macy’s and the now-closed Filene’s.

Bulletin boards adorned

On the other hand, Ms. Astore, the lady who decorated 62 bulletin boards and more, gets a lot of her materials at yard and discount stores.

“I’m a cheapie,” she said, laughing.

Her finished work, however, looks anything but cheap. The decorated bulletin boards show creativity and imagination. Each one has intricate designs, including Santas with fluffy beards, cheerful snowmen, darling angels and so on.

Imagine decorating 62 bulletin boards and never running out of fresh ideas.

A dynamite duo

Ms. Leone and Ms. Astore, a dynamite duo, are making the surroundings of Capitol Square even more inviting this holiday season.

Last Saturday, Alice Traversa, also a resident, maneuvered down one of the halls in her walker, taking in the colored lights, trees and bulletin boards.

This will be her 100th Christmas – she turned 100 years old on May 21. Ms. Leone said Ms. Traversa is still active and willing to participate in events.

Ms. Astore and Ms. Leone have left their decorating touches all over Capitol Square, enhancing the lives of everyone who’s lucky enough to see their handiwork.

Their artistic touches are definitely making the season bright.

Posted by Susan M. Wicker Guerrero on December 27, 2012. Filed under Breaking News,Community News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry