As co-owner of Trophy Antiques, on Charleston's West Side, Tammy Fowler has seen a lot of fabulous homes and antique collections over the past 40 years, but few compare to her most recent project - liquidating the belongings of the late Julia McCormick.
"Usually, when I do an estate sale, I see nice things," Fowler said. "You might see nice clothes - 50 items. You don't have 700 to 800 items, and that's what's here."
Fowler has spent the past two weeks preparing for the estate sale planned for this weekend. She had a time just tackling the seven closets.
"It's taken three days just to do the clothing," Fowler said.
McCormick died in July at age 92. She was a lifelong ballroom dance enthusiast and instructor and also was co-owner of McCormick Jewelers, in Kanawha City.
Some of the most unique items in her collection include a full-length reversible mink rain coat, stripped leather skirt, a robe from The Greenbrier resort, ballroom gowns and hundreds of matching shoes, scarves and designer purses and other accessories.
"Every place you look, there's just beautiful, clean, gorgeous clothes," Fowler said. "What she liked, she liked the best."
Fowler has organized most of the clothing in the ballroom because she felt that would be the most appropriate place.
"It's like she'd still be here," Fowler said.
The McCormick estate sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at 735 Chappell Road.
"The house has been sold. Everything must go," Fowler said. "It's going to take three or four days, but I just can't wait to do it."
For more information on the McCormick estate sale or Fowler's services, call 304-346-3907 or 304-561-7731.
Reach Dawn Nolan at dawn.nolan@wvgazettemail.com or 304-348-1230.