Designer Showcase

Designer Showhouse in Forest Hills this spring

By Jamie Harper

The Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties announces its second Designer Showhouse. Located at the corner of Bivens, Arnette, and Hermitage Court roads, this Forest Hills home is part of a neighborhood containing some of the earliest houses in Durham reflecting the history of 20th Century America.

In the early 1920’s, the farmland along University Drive was purchased to create new homes for the successful professional class arising in the city. Architects like H. Raymond Weeks, Northup and O’Brient, and George Watts Carr were hired to design homes in popular Colonial, Tudor, and English Cottage revival styles that characterize Forest Hills today.

The JLDOC Designer Showhouse is a project which transforms a historic single family residence into a designer showplace utilizing the talents of local designers and landscapers. The public is invited to tour the showhouse and participate in special events.

The JLDOC held its first Designer Showhouse in 2004, raising $40,000 with the assistance of 14 local designers and 8 landscapers and approximately 2,200 visitors. This year, the committee’s goal is to raise $100,000 to support our mission.

The showhouse will run April 30-May 14, 10 am to 5 pm daily. Tickets are $15/person and
may be purchased at the door or online at www.jldoc.org. The house is located at 1410 Arnette Avenue, Durham NC 27707.

Group tours are offered on Wednesdays by appointment. Please contact Caroline Bunn mcbunn@nc.rr.com or Jamie Harper (jeharper@bellsouth.net) with questions or for more information.

The mission of the Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties is to develop the potential of women, improve communities and promote volunteerism.