By Jesus Calo
The Marco Island Woman’s Club (MIWC) held its 17th Annual Elegant Home Tour, which featured four residences around Marco Island. Each home incorporated a mix of architectural and interior designs from various decor influences.
The event allows the MIWC to take a step into an elegant home and witness the beauty of this island through architecture. Following the tour was a luncheon at the Marco Island Yacht Club, provided by Chef Bob, and a fashion show sponsored by Kay’s on the Beach and Patchington. Over 250 women attended, making this MIWC’s second largest event devoted to fundraising for educational scholarships for Marco Island’s deserving students.
This was a year of firsts, as the MIWC had luxury coach buses taking the women from location to location. Sponsor and captain of the VIP yellow bus, Becky Irwin led the tour. “Previously, the club would have guests drive to each location individually.” Irwin said. “But with traffic patterns and space in mind, the new system was received well this year.”
Submitted Photos | Steve Cormier with Pat Erikson after she made her $1,000 hole-in-one!
The first stop had the women excited to begin the tour. This home highlighted a European nautilus coastal style, complimented with blue and white hues throughout the home. As you first walk in, it looks as if you are “at sea” when you gaze from the great room upon the infinity pool that seemed to merge with the waterfront. The home blended a little informality with defined elegance. The two-story property left the crowd ready for the second stop of the day. During the tour, guests were guided by volunteers and learned the history of each home and some specific rooms. Notes were also displayed identifying different focal points to be mindful of.
The houses “grew” as we traveled on to the next location. We walked into a home designed with creative colors and elegant custom accessories. This home had been remodeled with entertainment in mind. As you moved through the home, the natural lighting in the hallway led the path throughout each bedroom. The best part was the double lanai with a custom granite table to seat eight. The outdoor furniture, lanterns, infinity pool and put-put area completed the comfortable area. The owners, Elaine and Steve Cormier, graciously offered a $1,000 donation to the MIWC for the first attendee to make a hole-in-one. Pat Erickson was the first of three women to make the hole-in-one that day. The generous donation went directly to the MIWC Education Foundation.
The coach bus made its way to the third location, which was the home that the group had been anticipating from the tour’s start. The estate was inspired by Venetian-European influences, boasting seven bedrooms “fit for a sea captain.” The home, with a whopping nine bathrooms, was fully equipped with a separate gym and guesthouse. The essence of resort-style magnificence, guests felt as if they stepped right into Italy.
Our fourth and final stop sat on a large tip lot with 250 feet of direct water frontage. After remodeling in 2007, the home was completed with an addition of a second story over the garage, along with a new foyer entrance. There was a global feel to the interior design, with reclaimed barn beams, murals and an impressive home theater. The decor was complimented by dark wooden amenities and earthy tones. Surrounding the gorgeous home was award-winning landscaping.
Following the tour, the women made their way back to the Marco Island Yacht Club for a luncheon provided by Chef Bob, and fashion show featuring clothes and accessories from Kay’s on the Beach and Patchington. The show began and the models walked the runway. Due to the large attendance of the event, the runway path consisted of a walk through the club straight outside, and a turn back towards the ballroom, where tables of women sat enjoying their delicious lunch.
The featured models from Kay’s on the Beach were: Carol Ann Anzalone, Carolyn Dorris, Pat Gill, Robin Kopecky, Kathy Levant and Shirley Thayer. As for the Patchington models: Marlene Eichman, Clara Jenkins, Myrt Rose, Helen Ruth, Katherine Schulte and Rosemary Wick. The two boutique collections displayed light spring colors and every model held one accessory for the modern, yet elegant woman. This is right in time for the spring season as the weather begins to warm up. All clothes featured are shop-able on the two vendor’s websites.
Each year the MIWC raises and donates funds to be used for student college scholarships, as well as to assist many other civic and health organizations. For more information about the MIWC Education Foundation please visit www.marcowomansclub.com.
