The announcement last month of the selection of one of the new brownstones about to be constructed in Senoia as Southern Living magazine’s Idea House for 2010 has provided an added boost to the Cattle Baron’s Ball fundraiser and the Coweta/Fayette chapter of the American Cancer Society. They will be the recipients of the charitable proceeds from tours of the home that is expected to draw up to 40,000 people from around the country.

Senoia’s Riverwood Studios President Scott Tigchelaar announced Tuesday that his company and Southern Living had selected the groups to be the recipients of the charitable proceeds of the Idea House tours. The Idea House will be located in the Gin Property residential development in downtown Senoia.

“A dollar from each guest who tours the home will be donated to next year's Cattle Baron's Ball. The house is expected to draw between 30,000 and 40,000 people to Senoia starting next June, when it opens to the public for a six month showcase,” said Tigchelaar. "There isn't one of us anymore that hasn't been touched in some way by cancer. It was a privilege to host the Baron's Ball two years ago at Riverwood, and we're proud to have this opportunity to benefit a local charity that in turn helps so many."

The announcement means the charitable donation will be one of the Cattle Baron’s largest donations ever, said event organizer Susan Osborne.

Tickets for this year's Baron's Ball are $125 each and are available at www.baronsball.com or at the Baron's Ball office on Kelly Drive in Peachtree City.

Opening next June and similar in style to the brownstones found in New York and Boston, the 3,700 square feet, 3.5-story Idea House will be situated on one side of the first five luxury brownstones built as part of the larger Gin Property residential development, Tigchelaar said.

“The Idea House is a first for Senoia and a first for south metro Atlanta since no home in this part of the metro area has ever been selected,” said Tigchelaar. “But it is also a first for Southern Living. The Idea House is a phenomenon. And Southern Living is the grandaddy of its type of publication. The selection of a brownstone is a first for the magazine, as is the decision to have the house remain open through the Christmas holidays next year rather than being open to the public for only four months.”

The record for visitors to an Idea House is about 26,000 people, Tigchelaar said. The uniqueness of the Senoia Idea House could draw up to 40,000 from across the South and beyond, he added.

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