Ready for a little Christmas? The Temecula Valley Woman’s Club is in final preparations for its annual Holiday Home Tour as homeowners, designers and florists navigate the finishing touches.
The annual Holiday Home Tour is planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 17-18 in Temecula wine country. (Photo courtesy of Beverly Nault)
“We are expecting 2,000 people to visit the Holiday Home Tour this weekend,” said Temecula Valley Woman’s Club chairman Judy Macintosh.
Four Temecula wine country homes and the interior of Danza Del Sol Winery’s event space will be decorated to the rafters with holiday cheer for guests wishing to tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 17-18.
The Holiday Home Tour is the club’s annual labor of love and primary fundraising event. Gourmet food, a VIP limousine tour, bistro lunch, as well as aprons and cookbooks are all offered for sale at the event.
“Many of our designers and homeowners have been working since summer to prepare (for the event). Mikki and Dennis Bowers (owners of Chateau Cinsault) even incorporated her neighbors, having them help wrap holiday boxes and she’s filled her master bath with presents,” said Macintosh. “Designer Tonya Orlando worked together with the Bowers’ own decorations as well as the designer’s concepts. It’s beautiful to see it all come together.”
“The decorators and homeowners are not compensated for their time or donations to the event; it is truly a labor of love,” Macintosh said, though many decorator and hand-crafted items are available for sale during the event.
“I’ve always enjoyed the Holiday Home Tours and was thrilled when we were approached to participate,” Mikki Bowers said. “I wanted to give back and work with the designer to create something unexpected. Unique. I believe we did that, as a team.”
The Bowers’ residence, also known as Chateau Cinsault, has been brought to life by acclaimed interior designer Tonya Orlando.
“I am so excited about working with the Bowers family on this job,” said Orlando. “Seeing everything come together, from specially-designed floral arrangements and sprays in every arch, to Fullerton native Joyce Cichoski’s unique touches, it’s just awe inspiring.”
The annual Holiday Home Tour is planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 17-18 in Temecula wine country. (Photo courtesy of Beverly Nault)
Orlando has also incorporated borrowed items from Pottery Barn, as well as her signature subtle touches throughout the space.
“Mikki and I started working together in August and we started meeting once a week to discuss the space and what the Bowers family had in mind,” Orlando said. “What we’ve done is an eclectic collaboration. There is sparkle in whatever I do and this year shines with the mercury glass from Pottery Barn, as well as lighting in almost every arrangement.”
From feathers and metallic accents that adorn the master bedroom, the old fashioned Santa and the Tommy Bahama holiday tropical entertainment room — each space is uniquely designed to both coordinate with the Bowers’ residence and expand upon festive holiday. Orlando brought her design sense and shopping savvy to every surface and archway.
“For me, the holiday spirit started a month ago when my neighbors and I wrapped all of those presents,” Mikki said, speaking of the sunken tub full of beautifully wrapped parcels.
As for the remainder of the house, Pottery Barn will set up a table covered in reindeer and other holiday treasures — all available for sale at Pottery Barn this season.
Other special touches include borrowed items from Macy’s as well as a bevy of additional sponsors, including Pechanga, Paradise Chevrolet, California Bank and Trust, Care Animal Hospital and Automotive Testing and Development.
Incidentally, the most challenging aspect of the home showcase event is to find homeowners with the vision and willingness to donate their residence to the cause.
This year, none of the homes represented are members of the Temecula Valley Woman’s Club, though all agree that the scholarships and charity donated by the organization are cause enough to join in the celebration.
Guests of the Holiday Home Tour are asked to wear booties over their shoes to reduce on clean up. Children must be 12 and older to attend the tour. All homeowners are given tickets to the event.
“We will be taking care of the grandkids so that our adult children can enjoy the home tour on Saturday,” Mikki said. “I’m looking forward to coming through on Sunday and seeing everything finished.”
Visitors can purchase tickets at Danza Del Sol Winery or at any of the homes on the tour. Maps are printed on the back of the tickets, and visitors must supply their own transportation.
For more information, and to buy tickets online, visit: www.tvwc.com.
Ashley Ludwig is a local writer and regular contributor to SWRNN.
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