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By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: November 26, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - For the most part, Tracy Brown and Michelle Westich, owners of the 1920s-era Mediterranean-style home on Willowick Avenue, lead private lives in the dwelling they have cared for and cherished for nearly a decade.

"We absolutely love our home, but we never really talked about opening it up for hundreds of people to see," said Brown, who in partnership with Westich, operates an online retail business from the home.

But those thoughts changed when architect Grant Rimbey, vice president of the Temple Terrace Preservation Society, approached them earlier this year about including the home in the organization's 2008 Temple Terrace Historic Homes Tour on Dec. 6.

"These old homes in Temple Terrace are such a part of the city's history that we both felt these beautiful places really deserve to be seen," Brown said. "It seemed the right thing to do."

What makes their home - designed by acclaimed architect Dwight James Baum - and others constructed in the same time period so remarkable, she said, is that they basically were built by hand.

"I look at our home, and the care and the love that were put into it are amazing," said Brown, who together with Westich has added period awnings, installed a barrel-tile roof and renovated the kitchen, downstairs bathroom and the living-room fireplace.

The tour also will feature six other Mediterranean Revival-style homes, as well as three '50s and '60s mid-century modern homes.

Mary Johnson's home on Deer Park Avenue - designed and built in 1950 by her late husband, John - is among them.

The house was constructed of Ocala block, a material manufactured just a short time in North Florida. It is considered more porous than concrete and requires only a sealer. The home's redwood trim was inspired by the Johnsons' affection for the trees while living in California. The floors in the foyer are the original cork.

After their daughters graduated from college, the Johnsons enclosed the home's breezeway and added a pool and patio.

"I love my home," Mary Johnson said. "I was in real estate, and I saw a lot of very nice homes. But when I'd come home I'd say, 'I'm glad to be here because so many of the others looked so sterile.'"

Johnson, through an oversight, wasn't asked to open her home until about three weeks ago.

"I'm flattered my home will be on the tour, but I want people to know I don't plan to do a lot of holiday decorating this year," she said. "I went all out last year when I had an open house, but I am too busy with another fundraiser right now."

Homes tour chairwoman Leitha Bowles is grateful to all the homeowners who have agreed to open their homes for the event. The proceeds will benefit Temple Terrace's Bat Tower reconstruction project, the preservation society's oral history undertaking and Temple Terrace historical resource survey.

The Florida College Student Center, formerly the 1920s-era Club Morocco nightclub and casino, will be the event's headquarters. Trolleys will be used to take people to and from the homes.

"Whether riding the trolley, walking the Florida College campus or perusing the golf course, this tour gives a glimpse of the complimentary architecture and cultural growth in the tranquil green setting of our city," Bowles said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The 2008 Temple Terrace Historic Homes Tour

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6

STARTING SPOT: Student center at Florida College, 119 N. Glenn Arven Ave. Trolleys will transport guests to and from the homes.

COST: $15 per person

INFORMATION: (813) 732-6941

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849.

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