Designer Showhouse

The Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County recently put a call out to the area's talented interior designers to create the first ever Arts Council Designer Showhouse. Every room in the house was decorated by a different local design group. The house was open to tour from May 2 to May 18 and I finally got to see it myself Sunday. So you know I had to share with all of you my favorite parts!

The foyer was decorated by the lovely ladies of Birds of a Feather Design. (You might have read about them a time or two on this blog or maybe you read their blog yourself!) The foyer greeted us with a definitive Chinoiserie vibe to create a stylish and functional space.

The Li-Lo (library/lounge) was reportedly the one space that every designer wanted but The Nest landed it. I must say this room was one of my favorites. The traditional curtains, modern chrome desk and wire zebra art hung above the velvet chaise made the space for me...   

 

Another one of my favorite rooms was this gorgeous living room designed by Paysage. Its color scheme was so soft and serene and those arched French doors just beg to be swung wide open on a beautiful spring day.

The bright and cheery dining room was designed by Event Chair and HGTV Design Star Meg Caswell. The china in her place settings coordinated so beautifully with the flame stitch fabric in the dining room chairs. I love their Chippendale style as well.

The kitchen, by Shipman Design Group, also housed one of my favorite pieces. The glass art installation served as a stunning backdrop behind the banquette in an otherwise traditional kitchen. I love a kitchen with a little glitz and am kicking myself for not photographing the jewel encrusted hardware. Oh yeah...crystals for your cabinets exist.

This man cave/family room was another one of my favorite spaces. Classic Design installed custom printed grasscloth against animal-esque striped curtains and I am obsessed with them! This room also had the most amazing artwork. I loved the deep indigo paint color that carried over into the bar. The bar also housed amazing lucite drawer hardware. A little glamour in a masculine space never hurt anybody!

McKenzie-Baker Interiors wallpapered the ceiling in the powder room, wrapped steel around the barreled wall in the studio and added some pizzazz to the laundry area with zebra wallpaper. I loved their innovation and attention to unexpected detail! (PS- the striped wallpaper in the powder room is ultra-durable vinyl!!)

 

Blue Hand Home installed silver nailheads to grasscloth wallpaper in one bedroom and created a glam workspace out of a closet. I think I could sleep well in this space...

The other guest bedroom by Teal Design was a clean and serene space. The metal light fixture and glass orbs definitely stole the show for me!

The master bedroom housed a fabulous dressing area decorated by Red Door Designs. I would love for my clothes to live in this much space! The feathered light fixtures offered a quirky touch but I loved that leather pull-apart ottoman! 

 

 

I would be thrilled if the Arts Council decided to do another showhouse next year! The amount of work and coordination this must have taken is certainly not lost on me!! Did you make it to the showhouse this year? If not, is an event like this one something you'd be interested in?