PRC's annual tour reveals luscious lifestyles

It is that time of year when we all sign up to snoop around other people's houses, nosing into their personal lives and making unsolicited comments about their design choices. It's no wonder the owners keep their distance that weekend and only very occasionally offer their homes (probably with a great deal of coercion) for Preservation Resource Center's annual fundraiser.

We look forward every Christmas to visiting some of the city's most beautiful homes and wondering how their owners pass the time in those marvelous spaces. Almost all have an open kitchen with an adjoining family room, where it is clear they spend most of the days, and probably a patio with barbecue, garden and small pool. Some houses have generous outdoor covered porches with a full set of furniture to fully enjoy the good weather.

Most still have formal living and dining rooms, although one house had a ping pong table in the dining room. All have fabulous artwork, ceiling medallions and chandeliers. One home had several vintage art posters from the 1930s.

We had difficulty deciding where we would prefer to live. However, my friend settled on the house with the walk-in closet the size of a bedroom and a laundry room the size of a kitchen - with folding table, dry cleaning equipment and TV to watch while folding. Pretty neat!

No photos of interiors allowed, so you must use your imagination.