Nothing’s more fun than looking inside other people’s houses.
Those were the words of one woman who attended the 27th Annual Home Tour last weekend, and hundreds of others seemed to agree.
‘For such a big house it wasn’t pretentious at all,? said Clarkston resident Teresa Fitzgerald, shuttling back to town after touring the Springfield Township home of Jim and Audrey Tanner. ‘It had a lot of personal touches; you can tell a family lives there.?
Fitzgerald was among many who said they were attending the tour for the first time this year.
More than 200 guests viewed the homes during Patrons? Night on Saturday, and capped off the evening with a reception at Deer Lake Banquet Center.
Another 500 turned out for Sunday’s tour.
‘Nothing could have been better,? said Donna Clancy, executive director of fundraising for SCAMP. ‘It’s wonderful to see the number of people’homeowners, businesses, everyone’who support SCAMP.?
Pat Brumback won a $1,000 shopping spree at Waterfall Jewelers, Clancy said, and 75 suitcases filled with gift certificates and merchandise from local businesses went ‘within minutes? in the Suitcase Auction.
Renee Nannini and Kristine Nannini of the Clarkston Big Boy were one of the event’s many sponsors and attended both Saturday and Sunday.
‘I know a lot of the kids who go to SCAMP,? said Kristine, who recently completed a degree in special education and did her student teaching at Clarkston Elementary and Andersonville Elementary. ‘The program is really important to the kids and their families.?
Carol Chrisekos of Springfield Township was attending the home tour for the first time, and made sure to stop in for a look at the ‘before? state of the SCAMP Designer Showcase Home on Main Street.
‘It’s really cool,? she said, after talking with several of the designers who were on hand to answer questions and tell visitors about their plans. ‘I can’t wait to come back and see what it looks like when it’s finished.?
It was a sentiment Robin Amprim of Amprim Interiors’who’s transforming one of the upstairs bedrooms into a ‘very elegant? nursery’said she heard many times during the day.
‘People are really excited,? Amrprim said. ‘Everyone says they’re coming back.?
The finished house will be open to the public beginning Friday, Sept. 25, during Taste of Clarkston weekend.
Dawn Jacobs of Artichoke Interiors is also working in the home, and wanted to do an overhaul of the upstairs bathroom. Since designers are required to fund their own projects, she solicited donations of labor and material from several local contractors.
‘It was a blessing,? she said. ‘As soon as they found out it was for SCAMP almost everyone just said ‘yes.??
Jacobs? plans include highlighting the tall ceiling with thick crown moldings, bronze finish and a crystal dressed chandelier. The current vanity will be replaced with an antique dresser atop a new hardwood floor, and Jacobs says wedgewood gray walls and coordinating fabrics will pull the look together.
The feedback, she said, has been ‘very, very positive.?
‘This house has so much history,? she said. I think everyone wants to see it beautiful.?
Contractors volunteerng time and talent include Bridgewater Builders, Karen’s Advanced Floors, Studio 49 West and New Life Painting.