>> PHOTOS: Renovation of the Delco Building
The biennial event, which dates back to 1979, is traditionally held in a large historic mansion with each room decorated by a different designer
ABOUT THE DELCO BUILDING
The renovated building, designed and built by Schenk & Williams, dates back to 1912 and is located adjacent to the Dayton Dragons Fifth Third Field.
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NEW THIS YEAR
What’s fun this year is that designers have an entire apartment to decorate— whether it’s a studio or a one-, two- or three-bedroom unit.
The building boasts lots of windows with great views of downtown, the ballpark and river.
“We’ve always had people who came to get decorating ideas for their homes, but now that’s been expanded to include younger people and empty-nesters who are interested in downtown urban living,” says Karen Marshall. president of the DPVA who co-chairs this year’s Show House with Jon Blunt of Luken Interiors.
Marshall says there’s been a lot of buzz and excitement about having the show house downtown.
Designers were enthusiastic about the opportunity to use their creativity to meet the challenge of spatial limitations and multi-purpose living spaces.
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Kim Dehler Girz, a designer with KDG Designs in Centerville, is participating in the project for the first time and says it’s a win-win situation for both the designers and the developers.
“I’m all about urban living and I hope this will get a lot more people to think about living in downtown Dayton,” she says. “It’s good for us because it gives us recognition as designers and its good for the developers because it’s more aesthetically pleasing for potential renters to see a furnished rather than an empty apartment.”
Jane Barlow and Vicki Saunders of Design Sources said their vision was to focus on the type of clientele that would rent these units: “fun, professional, cutting-edge, energetic, eco-friendly and always ready for a gathering.”
They wanted to take advantage of the view of Fifth Third Field and installed a bar for “last-minute gatherings and evening games.”
Visitors can expect to see everything from a New York-themed bathroom and mid-century-modern bedroom to apartments filled with work from local artists. Sculptor/musician Michael Bashaw has created and donated a sculpture fashioned from the parts of musical instruments, which will be on display and auctioned.
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
BEYOND THE TOURS
In addition to the tours, there will be musical entertainment, as well as a “Delco Den Cafe” serving healthy snacks and “desserts of the day” donated by area restaurants.
The “Boss Kettering Emporium” will offer boutique items for sale ranging from jewelry and hand-blown glass to pottery and pet treats.
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WHERE THE MONEY GOES
Over the last 60 years, DPVA has raised more than $2 million for the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and music education programs for school children in the Miami Valley.
WANT TO GO?
What: 2017 Designers' Showhouse
Where: Delco Lofts, 329 E. First St., adjacent to the Dayton Dragons Fifth Third Field
When: Wednesday, June 14 through Sunday, June 25. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets: $20 in advance at Dorothy Lane Markets, Ashley's Bakery in Oakwood, Boston Stoker and www.dpva.org or $25 at the door.
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