Seventh Annual Taste the Fruit of the Vine slated Sept. 15

Creating a home is among the first tasks for any newly-married couple, and Chanell and Chris Dagesse of Lewes did just that with results that are simply stunning. When local Realtor LeeAnn Wilkinson recently visited the home, she said, “You know I’ve seen a lot of properties in this area, but nothing, nothing  compares to this.”

The Dagesse home serves as the setting for this year’s Taste the Fruit of the Vine Saturday, Sept. 15. This popular garden party fundraiser benefits the Sussex County Community Outreach Program and features gourmet wine and food pairings in addition to the home tour.

From 3 to 6 p.m., patrons will enjoy touring the Dagesse’s newly-renovated home, which has 18 rooms in over 10,000 square feet of living space, along with a beautiful garden and pool. Chanell and Chris designed the home with Mary Dubois, who also did charming mural work in their baby’s bedroom.

“We loved working with Mary,” said Chanell. “She really listened and responded to everything that we wanted to do - and now we feel like we have a home that truly reflects us as a family.”

“We knew the instant that we saw this home that others would love to see it too,” said Libby Owen, co-chair of the event. “The design is truly elegant without being stuffy. It’s a perfect home for a young, growing family.”

The Dagesse home already had some striking architectural details, like extensive hardwood paneling throughout, but that proved to be too dark and heavy for Chanell and Chris’s taste. As a result, they painted over most of it with a creamy white, which serves as a perfect backdrop for the home’s “sand and sea” color palate.

“The entire home’s design was actually inspired by the backsplash in our kitchen,” said Chanell. “We loved the feeling that it created, and we wanted that throughout the house.” The only space that is significantly different is the daylight basement, which was completely unfinished before the Dagesses began. In it they created a warm and cozy paneled game room, bar, and movie theater, along with the family’s gym.

“My favorite room is [my son] Daniel’s,” said Chanell. “I love Mary’s mural. It makes us all feel happy in there.” The mural, which features a slightly grown up version of Daniel playing on the beach with his dogs, fills three walls.
Chris Dagesse commented, “We have really enjoyed becoming part of the local community here, and we are happy that we can share our home for this benefit.”

The Sussex County Community Outreach Program helps families and individuals overcome life’s obstacles in order for them to become more self-sufficient. Established in 1988 by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes, the program serves people in Sussex County, offering help regardless of race, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation.

For ticket information, visit TastetheFruitoftheVine.org or call 302-645-8479.