It all started with a warming drawer.

Alison Church/Special (ENLARGE)

Marian and Todd Roberson's Duluth home will be open for the on the Sugarloaf Country Club Tour of Homes.

Alison Church/Special (ENLARGE)

A large fireplace and Christmas decorations make the most of Todd Roberson's study.

Marian Roberson decided she needed another drawer to keep food warm in the kitchen of her Sugarloaf Country Club home. So she and her husband Todd Roberson, went house hunting.

"We made the mistake of looking ... and we fell in love with this house when we saw it," Todd Roberson said.

The Roberson's home, with its mix of family antiques and traditional decor, will be on display Thursday through Dec. 2 as part of the "Deck the Halls and Welcome Ya'll Tour of Homes" at Sugarloaf Country Club in Duluth.

"From the first time we saw it, we thought this is really a nice house, and we wanted to share it with others," Marian Roberson said, adding that the Tour benefits a number of worthy causes.

The Tour showcases six spectacular homes decked out in holiday splendor. The money raised benefits eight charities. The tour, created by the Women's Club of Sugarloaf Country Club, hopes to raise $250,000 this year. Last year the tour raised $180,000. For more info , the Web site is www.sugarloaftourtickets.com.

The home is about 15,000 square feet, with six bedrooms, seven bathrooms and 3.5 half baths. The home is situated on the ninth hole on the original 18 of the AT&T Classic.

Todd Roberson, a partner in a construction products company, said his favorite room is his paneled study on the first floor. His wife enjoys the formal living room.

Marian Roberson placed her grandmother's refurbished antique furniture in the room, giving it a sense of history. The 1920's-era baby grand piano in the room also belonged to her grandmother, who was a music teacher.

Marian Roberson says she was lucky to hook up with designer Joy LeBlanc, who did the painting, draperies and bedding in the home.

"I was a little challenged," she said, laughing.

In the brick red dining room, Marian Roberson showcases her grandfather's 1915 table. It was used in a teacherage in Mississippi where he was a school principal. For the holiday tour, the designers placed red birds in the chandelier and changed out the bulbs with flickering lights for a warm, cozy effect.

Todd Roberson said their expansive kitchen is helpful for catered events because guests can sit at the bar while food is being prepared. (As everyone knows, it's nearly impossible to keep folks out of the kitchen — so why try?)

The kitchen features double refrigerators, double ovens, double dishwashers and of course, warming drawers. The room also features a fun detail: A tall cabinet on one wall is actually the door to a large walk-in pantry.

While the decorations mesh with the Roberson's taste, Marian Roberson said they have never decorated so extensively. Christmas trees throughout the home feature natural touches such as birds, feathers and hydrangeas.

All the Christmas decorations will be for sale, however the Robersons have first priority. Expo Design Center has said they will donate the remaining items to the Tour's charities.

In the terrace-level basement, designers used the family's board games as whimsical decor.

"It looks like Winter Wonderland in the basement," Todd Roberson said. Spinning Christmas trees add to the fun factor with the colors of lime green and bright red.

The family uses their basement for a variety of games including billiards and pinball. The Roberson's son, David, is a junior at Peachtree Ridge High School and their daughter, Katie, attends Clemson University.

The terrace level also includes adult entertainment such as the wine cellar tucked behind the caterer's kitchen.

"We've really enjoyed using our wine cellar," Marian Roberson said.

"It's more fun to take out than to put in," Todd Roberson added.

HOME HIGHLIGHTS:

• The 15,000-square-foot home overlooks the ninth hole of the golf course. The backyard also features a pool and hot tub.

• The Robersons have a wine cellar tucked away in their terrace level basement.

• The home features six bedrooms, seven bathrooms and a caterer's kitchen.

RELATED LINKS

• Photos: See more of the Roberson home

• Previous Private Quarters

• Home & Garden

• ajchomefinder.com

• 2007 Home Sales Report

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