Writer / Janet C. Striebel
Soon we will marvel about the new spring sensation on Meridian. The members of St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild have been busy preparing for the 53rd Decorators’ Show House and Gardens. This year’s unique experience will take place April 26 through May 11 (Mother’s Day) at 5235 N. Meridian St. Bring your friends and leave with new ideas to spruce up your home and garden as you journey through a beautifully decorated home featuring the works of many designers who have teamed up to reveal a magical wonder.
“We put on this Show House event to feature fine design, art and landscaping, but the proceeds go to benefit the patients, family members and caregivers of Eskenazi Health,” says Lori Goldsby, design director of St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild. Since 1907, the guild’s focus has been to help the underserved in Marion County and raise funds for Eskenazi Hospital (formerly Wishard Hospital), which was originally the City Hospital, the first hospital built after the Civil War. Through the years, the proceeds from the Show House have helped fund many services and programs, such as the Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center, Mobile Mammography Services and EMBRACE, an integrated support program for women facing cancer. So far, St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild has contributed nearly $11 million to Wishard/Eskenazi Health.
“With this year’s Show House, we have a classic home with good bones,” says Kathleen House, decorator chair of St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild. “We have 27 design areas that have been decorated by designers who have given their time and effort out of the goodness of their hearts.” These designers and their artisan contractors are stripping wallpaper, doing prep work and painting to show the newest developments and trends and to share their inspirational ideas.
“This home is no longer the typical Meridian/Kessler home with a smaller master bath and kitchen,” says Goldsby, who is grateful that the homeowners are active participants in this transformation. “My job is to protect the interests of designers with their integrity of design and yet match up the personal tastes of the homeowners who are faced with moving and renovation — two of life’s biggest stressors. The homeowners actually move out of their home into temporary housing for about four months while they trust in the designers and the guild during this process.”
You won’t want to miss seeing the new Spring Sip n Sit area, adjacent to the kitchen/morning room. Or the clever design in the master retreat where the former closet and hallway walls were removed to create a magnificent bedroom, bathroom and dressing room. Wait until you see the captivating orchid color (Quartz Moon by Pratt & Lambert) on the master bedroom walls, denoted as Pantone’s “color of the year.” After touring this rejuvenated masterpiece, you can stroll to the backyard patio to browse for decorative items or taste the culinary delights of Maggie’s Café, featuring homemade chicken salad croissants, a variety of quiche pastries and the famous Maggie’s Bars (similar to St. Louis gooey butter cake).
“The designers participate in this worthy project because they recognize the need for health care services among our under- or noninsured population,” says House, who admires their perseverance as she observes their commitment every day. She concludes, “We, as members of the guild, have orchestrated this Show House, but without the benevolence of the designers who give physically, emotionally and financially, and without the support of the general public, this unique event would not be possible. This combined community effort contributes to the overall success of Decorators’ Show House and Gardens.” Many generous retailers have contributed to this project, such as Stuart’s Moving and Storage, Delta Faucets, Everyday Paint and Wallpaper, and Blakely’s Flooring.
Go to showhouseindy.org to buy tickets or to learn more about upcoming Show House special events that help support Eskenazi Health.
