By Veronica Miller
Wednesday October 18, 2006

Last year, Glover Park resident Anslie Stokes sent out a slew of letters to her neighbors, asking them to participate in a new tour of renovated homes.  The inaugural Glover Park Renovation Tour included seven neighborhood houses and drew more than 250 visitors.

 But for the 2006 tour, which will take place this Saturday, Stokes hasn’t had to do much to convince homeowners to participate: Many people who visited last year’s homes are now offering up their own.

 “This year, people are volunteering left and right,” she said.  “People who renovate their homes love to show them off” – including Stokes, whose own home is also included in this year’s tour.

 “I’d done such extensive renovation that I thought it would fit in with the tour,” said Stokes.

 Stacey Proctor was just beginning renovations on her home when she visited the 2005 tour.  Her home on 37^th Street NW is now a part of this year’s exhibition, having undergone a number of renovations in the past year.

 The basement has been renovated, the kitchen has been redone, a wall has been knocked down, and new windows and central air conditioning have been installed.  Proctor, who owns a painting business, also retiled the bathroom and the kitchen and did some faux finishing.

 The renovations “didn’t seem quick,” said Proctor.  “We moved out for three months.”  But now, with the renovations complete, she enjoys showing off her house.  “I think it’s sort of fun.”

 Other renovations highlighted on the house tour include lofted ceilings, patio additions and new kitchens.  Stokes said she was also looking for basement renovations for this year’s tour – and found three.  “A lot of people are interested in seeing how basements are redone,” she said.

 Stokes said the tour strikes a chord with the community because it allows neighbors to get to know each other and because people are interested in seeing how others have renovated their homes.

 “This isn’t an archaeological dig,” she said.  “These are real renovations for real houses that real people can do.”

 Some projects were do-it-yourself tasks tackled by the homeowners.  And for some, like Stokes, who is a Realtor, and Proctor, who does color consulting, the tour provides exposure.

 Tourgoers also can use the event as a way to find contractors.  Stokes said finding names from neighbors is a big draw and that contractors, as well as architects, will be on hand to answer questions and discuss their work during the tour.

 “But always check the contractor’s references,” warned Proctor, noting some of the renovations on her home were delayed because of troubles with a contractor she hired. 

 Contractor nightmare stories are part of the experiences – both good and bad – that homeowners share on the tour.

 Proctor, whose house was built in 1936, learned that the age of her house would present a few problems in the process of remodeling.  “It was difficult because every time we went to buy something, we’d hear ‘We don’t have that size anymore,’” she said.  As a result, some things, such as her bathtub, had to be custom-built.

 “People like telling the horror stores, but they love telling the positive, too,” said Stokes.

 Tickets for the 2006 Glover Park Renovation Tour are available for $10 in advance at gloverparktour.com.  They may also be purchased on the day of the tour at 2052 37^th St. NW for $15.  Proceeds will benefit Stoddert Elementary School.  For more information, call Anslie Stokes at 202-270-1081.