Gleaning tips on home tours

CORONA DEL MAR — The 37th annual Corona del Mar Home Tour got underway Tuesday, with about 1,350 people touring seven homes as part of a fundraiser for the Corona del Mar High School’s PTA.

“It’s fabulous, a good day in every way,” said Jane Owen, a co-chairwoman for the home tour event. “We’re going to make so much money for school.”

The home tour typically makes about $120,000. This year, money raised will go toward paying for teachers to attend training classes and programs, and to help fund the Naviance program that helps students plan for college.

The day began at Fashion Island, where participants planned their day while munching on fresh fruit and rolls.

Maureen Webb of Newport Beach said she has attended five of the home tours, focusing on the table settings and design to get inspiration for her own catering business.

“Every year, it gets better,” she said. “Just when you think you’ve been wowed, you get wowed again.”

Roe Reynolds of Newport Beach invited a group of girlfriends.

“We’ve done it for years and years,” she said. “We’re nosy. We want decorating ideas.”

Kelly Piercey of Newport Beach said she’s taken the home tour three times.

“We built a home three years ago, and going on the home tour gave me lots of ideas for built-ins, built-in desks, backyards,” she said. “I like seeing all the layouts and how they make it work, especially when they have kids and you see how they manage it.”

Participants traveled by private car or in prepaid limos to the homes on Bayside Place, in Shore Cliffs, Pelican Ridge, the Port Streets neighborhood, Corona del Mar Village, Spyglass and One Ford Road. Lunch was served at Sherman Library & Gardens, with a reception at the end of the day at Bliss Home & Design on East Coast Highway.

“When we are all together, we always have fun,” said Carrie Walker of Balboa Island. “The home tour is icing on the cake.”