Beautiful inside and out

Coral Wilson

Jeanne Zenk said her home was a dump when she bought it in 1995. The

semi-custom tract home built in 1957 was falling apart. Every wall

had cracks. At the time, people called her crazy but now, after a lot

of hard work and half a million dollars, the Zenk’s home has become

one of the most beautiful in the Huntington Beach.

It is one of eight homes that will be featured in the Huntington

Beach Education Foundation’s fourth annual Home Tour to be held on

May 10. The fund-raiser brings in thousands of dollars each year to

benefit the 10 schools in the City School District, said Donna Horn,

chair of the Home Tour.

Four or five times a month, Zenk said, strangers show up at her

doorstep or call out from the street to express admiration. She

usually invites them in and even used to keep a guest book on the

front porch, she said. Now she will open her door to 500 ticket

holders, all on the same day.

Also on display will be the Flores home, which has a Tommy Bahama

decor and resembles a tropical paradise with its lush, colorful

fabrics and wicker furniture. The Paglia home is full of antiques and

European treasures. And the Troxell home, decorated with Venetian

plaster and stone, features an underground wine cellar with a window

looking into the swimming pool.

There is a natural human curiosity to view other homes, said

foundation board member Cathy Meschuk, which accounts for the home

tour’s past success.

“Not everyone can live that way,” Horn said. “And that is part of

the excitement.”

The eight homes on the tour will be available for viewing from 10

a.m. to 3 p.m. during which time people can plot their own route and

enjoy lunch at their leisure at the Huntington Beach Art Center, Horn

said.

“The homes are just incredible with the nicest people with hearts

of gold,” Horn said. “They were willing to open their homes to more

than 500 people and 100 volunteers.”

After three successful years, Horn said people have been looking

forward to the tour this year. The homes represent a variety of

lifestyles and creative decorating talents from large estates to

charming beach homes, she said.

“[Previewing the homes] made me go home and hang my head in

shame,” she said. “It also made me think more about paint, design and

color combinations. I would like to bring more character to my own

home.”

The home tour raises money for technology and teacher grants. Last

year the event brought in $13,000, and this year the foundation hopes

to double it.

“Due to recent budget cuts, we decided this is the year to step up

and make some money for the schools,” said Dana Wetzel, committee

member.

This year the price has gone up with tickets priced at $50. But

the number and variety of homes has also increased.

The Mason home is the featured home with an acre of land

overlooking the ocean.

“My house reflects all the things I love -- my children, my home

and my antiques,” said homeowner Heidi Mason.