F.Q. Story Neighborhood Tour

F.Q. Story Neighborhood Tour

Billy Knoop opens his historic house as part of a Phoenix holiday home tour.

By Glenn Gullickson

Knoop house

A Holiday Home

Billy Knoop opens his house as part of the F.Q. Story Historic District Christmas Home Tour

When it's Christmastime, Billy Knoop's house undergoes a transformation.

"It's like Santa's wonderland," Knoop said of his Spanish Colonial in the historic F.Q. Story Neighborhood in downtown Phoenix. "Everywhere you look, it's Christmas."

Knoop has lived in his 1929 house for 14 years. And every year, decorating the two-bedroom 1,900 square foot home is a big part of his holiday season.

Knoop house "Christmas is my favorite time of year, I can't wait for it," Knoop said.

This year, Knoop's home — and Christmas decorations — will go on public display as one of a dozen houses featured during the F.Q. Story Historic District Christmas Home Tour, a Phoenix holiday tradition that's in its 27th year.

Visitors to Knoop's home will see decorations he's obtained over decades, a collection he said that was inspired by his grandmother, who also loved Christmas. "It just spawned off her," Knoop said. "Everything had to be unique and fun and different."

Knoop's living room is notable for its beamed ceiling and wood floor, but at Christmastme it's filled with a wreath, garland and stuffed holiday figures. The room is dominated by a 9-foot tree, just wide enough to fit in a corner between the fireplace and entertainment center.

But it's another tree, in what Knoop called his "Nostalgia Room," that's close to his heart. Knoop said that the silver tree was a find, because it was similar to one his grandmother had.

Bill Knoop "It is the most cool, tacky, off the wall thing," he said.

Knoop said the silver tree gained special meaning when he dedicated it to those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS after he lost a dear friend a few years ago.

Knoop, who volunteers at the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, said he asks friends to contribute decorations to remember a loved one. The tree topper is an AIDS red ribbon.

"The ribbon on that tree means so much," Knoop said. "This is a tree of life, a tree of hope."

The 6-foot by 6-foot Nostalgia Room lives up to its name with decorations like a Magic Eight Ball, Rubik's Cube and Etch-A-Sketch. A shadow box contains other items that evoke memories for Knoop.

But it's perhaps the "haunted mural" that surrounds the room at the top of the walls that is the home's most unique feature. The painting, which is original to the house, depicts a desert landscape, which Knoop said appears to move when it's dark.

Knoop house The Nostalgia Room is behind the kitchen, which still has its original cabinets and butler's pantry and displays a cast iron fry pan. The kitchen, with forest green walls and black and white tile floor, has stainless steel appliances and an island that Knoop installed.

Knoop said he likes the combination of old and new items in a décor that he defined as "rustic."

Knoop, who worked in marketing for radio and TV stations and published Heatstroke Magazine, moved to Phoenix 21 years ago from Columbus, Ohio, his hometown.

When he decided to buy his first house, he said he was looking for something in an older neighborhood. After a long search, he remembered that when his real estate agent showed him the house the first time, he knew it was the one. "This has the charm. It's different, unique, there's not another one just like it," he said.

A bathroom between the bedrooms has pink tile walls and flooring.

Knoop house A previous owner added on a family room, which opens to a patio, and bathroom outfitted with a claw foot tub. A back building has a garage and guesthouse with a rooftop deck that offers a view of downtown Phoenix.

Knoop said he usually hosts holiday parties, but this year he's expecting thousands of visitors during his first home tour experience.

Three weeks before the tour, Knoop was still planning to set up trees at the front door, in the family room and on the patio.

The first day of the tour — Dec. 3 — is conducted at night and features luminarias and strolling carolers. The following afternoon, the tour will include gift, craft and food booths.

The F.Q. Story Neighborhood is known for its lighting displays that continue throughout the holidays. While Knoop will have lights on his house and the oleander that borders the property, he said his house is best known in the neighborhood for a "countdown to Christmas" clock that's displayed in the front yard. -E