The Junior League of Greensboro rolled out the welcome mat at 304 Irving Place on Friday for its second Designer Showhouse.
In addition to being a home design extravaganza, the fundraiser represents the women’s organization’s commitment to staying involved in the community it serves.
“The Designer Showhouse allows us the ability to continue to support the many community programs in which we believe. It affords us the opportunity not only to provide funds to these programs but thousands of volunteer hours through our time and our service,” Showhouse co-chairwomen Asheley Kotis, Leigh Anne Buchanan and Allison Manning stated by e-mail.
Fifteen local design firms and a landscaping company overhauled the home, recently purchased by Jim and Deborah Hock of Chapel Hill. They already had a jewel to polish into an updated work of art. The home, built in 1925, offers bird’s-eye views of the Greensboro Country Club and surrounding neighborhood.
“The designers selected to participate in the Designer Showhouse all had fresh, different, exciting perspectives on how to maintain the integrity of the house while adding style and flair to the interior and the grounds,” Kotis said.
The Hocks will move into the home this summer. The couple became involved after Kotis, Buchanan and Manning started to organize the fundraiser more than a year ago. Kotis said the trio made a list of homes that would suit the showhouse ideal. They wanted something the public would enjoy touring — something historic with beautiful grounds. “At the top of our list was 304 Irving Place. It was wonderful timing, as the Hocks had recently purchased the home,” Kotis said. “We presented our ideas to them and they most graciously agreed to allow us to have their home showcased as our Design Showhouse.”
The Hocks’ participation and that of the local design and landscaping companies help fulfill the main goal of the Designer Showhouse — raising money for local organizations.
“The designers all donated their concepts, designs, time and materials,” Kotis said. “Furnishings in the rooms will be for sale to the public starting May 1, and there are wonderful opportunities for those touring to get ideas for decorating their own homes, purchase items that would work for them currently, and benefit the Junior League projects as well. The designers will donate a percentage of all items sold to the Junior League to benefit our programs.”
The league’s first Designer Showhouse in 2005 brought in $550,000. This year’s effort so far has raised $300,000, but the league doesn’t yet have a projected total for the entire event because ticket sales, special events and other initiatives are ongoing.
Junior League president Leslie Davis Conway said funds raised from the event will go to Horsepower, ArtQuest at the Greenhill Center for North Carolina Art, LifeSpan, Food Assistance Inc., the Greensboro Children’s Museum’s outdoor learning environment, Family Support Network, Guilford County Schools Teacher Supply Warehouse, Freedom House and Senior Resources of Guilford County.
The women’s organization also awards teacher grants each year. The efforts are funded through events like the Designer Showhouse, as well as the league’s Legacy campaign and Bargain Box thrift store on Elm Street.
The league is counting on local residents to help them make a difference, and Designer Showhouse co-chairwomen Kotis, Buchanan and Manning think they have something worth their time. “For not a whole lot more than the price of a movie ticket, you can enjoy an afternoon of fun and feel good about helping to support our community.”
The Boutique on Irving PlaceThis temporary on-site retail outlet will be open during the hours of the home tour, according to Design Showhouse co-chairwoman Asheley Kotis. “The boutique will feature unique regional craftsmen and items new to the Greensboro area, including home decor, jewelry, gifts, fresh flowers and gourmet meals to go. Thirty percent of all sales will benefit the Junior League.”
Boutique patrons do not have to purchase a home tour ticket to shop.
Special events
To participate in the following Designer Showhouse special events, contact the Junior League of Greensboro at 852-5542 or visit www.juniorleagueofgreensboro.org.
■ Container Gardening:10:30 a.m. to noon May 5. Seminar led by Beckie Berlin, master gardener from New Garden Landscaping & Nursery. $25 per person.
■ Meet the Designers Night: 6:30-8:30 p.m. May 8. Meet the designers and try wine, appetizers and music. The designers will be in their spaces to speak about their designs, their inspiration and to answer questions. $25 per person.
■ Sustainable Style: 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 12. Dennis Quaintance of Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels will discuss building the Proximity Hotel to the guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. $25 per person.
■ Entertaining on a Dime: 6:30-8:30 p.m. May 14. Brad Semon with the Painted Plate will discuss several different menus, from what to purchase, how to prepare it, and where and how to set the table. $25 per person.
■ Reach Out Run: 8 a.m. May 16. 5K charity run/walk. $25 per 5K participant.
