Junior League of Sarasota introduces new concept for tour of homes

- Lynn Hobeck Bates moved to Sarasota in 2004 to marry her graduate school sweetheart, Ben, but it is a native of Virginia. While she misses the changing seasons and her friends and family in Virginia, Lynn has grown to love Sarasota for its energy, beauty and laidback lifestyle. She's even been around the world promoting this fine town. From the sophisticated and edgy arts and cultural scene, to family-friendly festivals, and everything in between, Lynn loves to share all that Sarasota has to offer. Her husband Ben Bates is a successful local realtor specializing in luxury and one-of-a-kind properities. She is currently settling into her newest (and most adored) role, motherhood.

Move over Martha Stewart and Pinterest: the Junior League of Sarasota wants to show Sarasota how to entertain in style! With lots of years, too many to count, of entertaining and hosting successful luxury home tours in the community, the ladies of the League introduce the newest concept in such tours. The “Simply Sarasota Entertainment Tour of Homes” puts a creative spin on the traditional home tour that we have all come to expect. In other words, this isn’t your mamma’s home tour!

Imagine a home tour that actually gives you ideas and tutorials on how to decorate for a special occasion, or gives you tips for finding and serving the perfect wine at your next dinner party, or encourages you to stay a while and nibble on homemade desserts. Guests won’t be paraded through a house, peering longingly at how the wallpaper pairs perfectly with the cushions on the couch, only to be dumped out at the back door wondering how many meals you’ll have to eat at home in order to afford an interior designer.

The activities are easy to replicate in your own home, whether large or small, and are budget-friendly so you can still pull off a fabulous party without breaking the bank. Just like a gracious host, this tour invites you to stay a while, just not too long. So grab a friend or two and make it a girl’s day out!

“Each home will feature different entertainment ideas, ranging from crazy, wild and over-the-top, to something you could throw together on a small budget,” said Keri Kuhn, co-chair of the inaugural event with fellow JLS member Kim Snyder. “Guests can be as involved as they would like, from learning how to decorate a cupcake, to creating party favors or setting the table for a formal dinner party.”

“The Simply Sarasota Entertainment Tour of Homes” will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 22 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. Tickets are $20 per person and include a tour booklet that provides access to all four homes as well as hands-on crafts and hosting tips. To reserve your tickets, contact the Junior League of Sarasota at (941) 953-5600 or visit jlsarasota.org. All proceeds go back into the community through outreach and benefit programs.

Here’s a sneak peek at what to expect at each of the four spectacular homes on the tour:

"Happily Ever After” House

I can't wait to make these adorable tutus for water bottles---what a perfect idea for a girl's baby shower or birthday party! The enchanting home, located at 1855 Orchid St., will be staged for an engagement party and a bridal or baby shower. Visitors will learn how to design stunning flower arrangements and craft enviable party favors while nibbling on homemade desserts from the Junior League’s cookbook, Simply Sarasota: Creatively Casual Cuisine. I am sure chocolate will be involved; after all, it is thrown by a league of women!

"Wines Around the World" Home

From the invitation to the wine, the modern home at 320 Calle Miramar will get you in the mood to celebrate. Aside from intriguing architectural and decorative elements, two tables will be elaborately decorated, one Asian and one tropical, offering a bevy of decorating ideas. Discover the perfect wine pairing for your favorite foods while trying your hand at writing calligraphy on stationary from the Paper Tree Boutique or decorating your own wine glass to take home. Now, this sounds like my kind of home tour!

This home will also host the Preview Party for the “Simply Sarasota Entertainment Tour of Homes” from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 22, featuring light bites and wines from Michael’s On East for $50 per guest.

"High Tea" House

Look no farther than the waterfront home at 1459 Bay Point Dr. to learn the perfect art of throwing a formal dinner or a tea party. Put the fundamentals to work by learning proper place setting etiquette, hints for folding napkins and secrets of being the consummate soiree hostess. Sip on the delicate yet zippy "Simply Sarasota" blend, designed especially for the Junior League of Sarasota by Local Coffee + Tea.

"Family Heritage" Home

I think I'll be spending some time at this home given my new journey into motherhood. I foresee lots of birthday parties and barbecues in my future and I need all the inspiration I can get, so if entertaining family is your passion, you won’t want to miss touring 3336 Old Oak Dr. This bayfront estate will be filled with outdoor festivities under a canopy of oak trees. This is the original residence of the Robarts family, so it’s only appropriate that the home stages a child’s birthday party, graduation celebrations and a backyard barbecue. Enjoy the hands-on experience of cupcake decorating, gift bag stuffing (hopefully with some cool gifts!) and a cookie swap.

You can do all four homes in one day, but I suggest you do two houses per day. This way you can engage fully in each home without feeling rushed. Indulge yourself. I hope you learn a little (or a lot!) along the way.

- Sponsors of the “Simply Sarasota Entertainment Tour of Homes” include Publix, Sarasota Magazine and Michael’s On East. The volunteer-based JLS was founded in 1957, and there are currently 175 active and 600 sustaining members dedicated to serving the Sarasota community.