Sheh home highlights church’s 54th Christmas tour

by Betty Lukas

Bob and Mary Sheh get ready for the holidays in the living room of their spacious Palos Verdes Estates home. Photo by David Fairchild

Mary and Bob Sheh celebrated Christmas with their children in 14 different places they called home during those early years, but this time – in the home they feel will be their last – the entire community is invited to join them as part of Neighborhood Church’s annual Yule Parlor Parade.

The Shehs have lived since 1993 in the spacious, one-story Palos Verdes Estates home with a spectacular view of the coastline and its lights, and they anticipate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be filled with most of their five children (and spouses) and most of their 10 grandchildren, Mary said.

Traditionally, she said, she prepares a simple Christmas Eve dinner of seafood gumbo and pecan pie after which their children decorate the tree with new ornaments. Since they’ve been in the third grade, Mary explained, each child has received a new one, and keeps it in a box with others they’ve accumulated over the years. “It’s one of our traditions,” she explained.

The family shares gifts on Christmas morning, and, as for Christmas dinner, “Bob is in charge of the roast beef” — another Sheh tradition.

The couple, now married 41 years, met while Bob was a student at Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute and she was a student at Bennington College – “about 40 minutes from each other.” His degree was in civil engineering and hers, in literature. Once he completed Officer Candidate School with the Navy, work with seven different corporations took them to all those locales they called home– even nine years abroad in the Netherlands and London.

Bob, now semi-retired, has 30 years experience in global energy and infrastructure development, and is still active on several boards, mentors younger executives and still manages to play golf weekly. “I spend about 60 percent of my time working,” he said. “I find I have more energy when I’m working.” Earlier this year he was appointed chairman of the board for Trow Global, a Canadian firm of engineers and consultants headquartered in Brampton, Ontario, a position that prompts frequent flights to Canada.

As for Mary, who was naturally very occupied with the children and their many moves during their early years, she didn’t try a career until she was 45. “All the children were out of the house by then,” she explained, “so I studied to become a physical therapist and practiced for five years until 1989 when three family members got married that same year,” she exclaimed, still remembering those demands. “That ended my career.”

However, once they moved to Palos Verdes Estates, she said she soon found art, particularly ceramics, after becoming friends with members of the Palos Verdes Art Center. Large pots, inspired by ancient Chinese anchors, grace her patio, and several bowls and platters in the butler’s pantry are testaments to her talent. She’s also a member of the Art Center’s Circle and Third Dimension.

Over the years, she’s also managed to refinish the 20 dining room chairs that surround the huge table, as well as the stylish family antique blue and gold striped sofa in the living room, plus the end tables at either end.

Their home and attached garage was built in 1964, and sits on a corner with both a family entrance to the kitchen and a guest entrance to an expansive front hall. Built in a U shape around a large swimming pool and patio garden, the home boasts a wall of sliding glass doors opening to the outside, making it an integral part of the living space. It is here that they remodeled to create a dining room with a table that holds 20 guests — enough for their large Family Christmas.

A Feng Shui Christmas will be celebrated in a modern home built in 1968, but completely remodeled 10 years ago with careful attention to the Asian principles of balance and harmony.

No perpendicular walls grace the space. Each may vary only fractionally, but there is variation. Many skylights provide subtle lighting throughout the house. The hosts have blended Chinese/American cultures both inside and outside. Approaching the house, paint of a soft sea-foam green and cream covers the wood to produce a calming influence. Shoes are removed in respect for the interior. Rooms flow from one to another and spread onto a large patio and pool area topped by the small retreat for solitude.

Visitors will come to appreciate that feng shui teaches that spaces should be thoughtfully considered to give them a feeling of ease and not hindrance.

The Christmas Open House reflects the Spanish Colonial tradition, one described as Santa Barbara Style featuring a tile roof, white stucco and typical blue outside window frames. The interior features high ceilings liberally laced with strong beams.

Built in 2002 with loving attention to detail, the arched doorways are carefully scalloped. Floors feature delicately shaded tiles that link the rooms together, minimizing the 4,000 square feet all on one level. The kitchen, equipped with Viking appliances and two dishwashers, makes this an easy house for entertaining, and the outdoor barbeque, pool and spa, accented by a waterfall, focus on a perfect patio.

One of the five bedrooms has been turned into a studio for the hostess, who has discovered the pleasure of painting since her daughter is now out of the nest.

Neighborhood Church’s 54th annual Yule Parlor Parade will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3 and 4. A Christmas Tea, music, bake and Yule shops will be part of the festivities in the Fellowship Hall from noon to 4 p.m. on those days.

Tickets are available at the Church for $30 prior to tour days, and $35 at the door on those days. They may also be ordered by mail with checks made out to Yule Parlor Parade. The church address is 405 Paseo del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates, Ca. 90274. Phone: 310-378-9353. A map with addresses of the tour homes will be included on all tickets. Restrictions are these: no children under 12 will be admitted; flat shoes only, and no cell phones or pictures on tour properties. PEN

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