WHAT IS A DESIGNER SHOW HOUSE?

WHAT:

A Decorators' Show House is generally associated with a fund-raising project for a charity organization where a house is acquired or borrowed, redecorated and open to the public for viewing. The organization's committee selects numerous designers to participate in the redesign of the rooms in that house. The  interior designers will conform to the architecture of the landmark house and respect the time period. The interior designers are given six weeks to transform the house into an extraordinary showcase. The showcase is open to the public during the hours of 10am – 4pm, 5 – 7 days a week. This is usually a month- long fundraiser. Admission tickets generally run from $40 to $50pp.

WHO:

Interior designers and decorators are the primary participants in the show house. Generally many designers vie for the opportunity to be chosen to participate. Room selection is often given to the biggest names in design. Once the designers solidify the concept, they pull in all of their top resources. Because of the cost to the designer and their firm, they often showcase their best vendors, craftsmen, and resources who also participate at a reduced or nominal cost and/or have an opportunity to sponsor/advertise their products and services. Also, designer often barrow or rent items such as lighting, area rugs, furniture, and other decorative items and return these items after the show. The exposure is enormous for the designers, and the press coverage is high as well. Many potential clients walk through these show houses to get an idea of which of the designers might fit their needs.

WHERE:

These events are held around the country. The most prominent events are in the bigger cities like New York, Washington, San Francisco, Atlanta, Philadelphia, etc. Some of the show  houses like Kips Bay in New York and the NSO in Washington, D.C. are more than 25 years old, widely recognized and super successful, raising in some cases millions of dollars for their respective organizations.

WHEN:

The show houses are generally presented in the Spring or Fall. The annual events are scheduled in the same general time frame and open for at least one month.

WHY:

These Decorators' Show Houses are fundraising events along with branding events, as the beneficiary organization(s) is the same, year after year. 

HOW:

The charity committee selects the house to be transformed, and invites top designers to visit the house and submit a request for a room as well as a concept for that room. Through a private selection process, a designer is assigned a room. Once the rooms are assigned, the designers go to work for about six weeks before opening to the public to tour. Additionally, the charity committee organizes preview galas, journals, evening special events and more. At show's end, there are or sales of some of the contents of some of the rooms. All proceeds go to the beneficiary charity, usually with great results.

LONGEVITY: The Landmark Designer Show House promises to be a long-term signature fundraiser for the beneficiary organization. The event will be held year after year at a Staten Island Landmark building.