By Donna Cornelius
Many who visit the 2015 Decorators’ ShowHouse may have driven past the house without even knowing it was there.
The sprawling Upton Estate is separated from Altadena Road in Vestavia Hills by woods and a winding driveway.
“When you come down that long driveway, you don’t know what you’re going to see,” said Nan Teninbaum, the ShowHouse’s publicity and marketing chairman.
What those who see the house, open from April 18-May 3, will discover is a 7,778 square-feet structure with an English country home style. Its 10.5 acres include gardens, a pool and terrace and plenty of trees.
Built in 1988, the house is owned by David Upton and is for sale for $1.4 million.
“David has just been so nice to work with,” said Cheree Carlton, who is co-chairing the ShowHouse with Charlotte Clarkson.
This is the 39th year that the Alabama Symphony Orchestra fundraiser has been held. The first ShowHouse, Mt. Vernon in Mountain Brook, was in 1976.
Symphony Volunteer Council members recruit designers and decorators to create rooms in the ShowHouse, giving visitors ideas and inspiration for their own homes.
“I think this year we’ve got a little bit of everything,” Teninbaum said. “If your interests are traditional, you’ve got that. If you like contemporary, you’ve got that, too. People can see new things, get new ideas and see what’s current.”
Some decorators participating in this year’s ShowHouse are veterans of the event, while others are first-timers, Teninbaum said.
On the first floor, decorators and their rooms include Jay Howton and Associates, foyer; Bill Aroosian of Habitation, living room; Stan Nelson and Gena Toedte of Birmingham Wholesale Furniture, family room; Perry Umphrey of Umphrey Interiors, dining room; Virginia College School of Design, kitchen; Theresa Thornton of Scandinavian Design, breakfast room; Christopher Rankin and Barbara Williams of Stock and Trade Design, master sitting room and bath; Ginger Wood and Reb Baker of Urban Home Market, master bedroom and bath; and Laurl Self of Laurl Designs, back hall.
Upstairs, decorators and their rooms are Lynne Coker Interiors, bedroom No. 1 and bath; Jocelyn Palmer of Isabella Palmer Designs, bedroom No. 2 and bath; Stock and Trade Design, bedroom No. 3 and bath; and Rick and Dave Griffith of Griffith Art Gallery, second floor hall.
Allen Westbrook and Lisa Fritz of Summer Classics created places for entertaining and relaxing on the terrace and also provided entry seating. Hollywood Pools and Spa has the swimming pool area.
Decorative planters and pots and seasonal plantings are from Daniel McCurry of Father Nature Landscapes. The grounds are maintained by Andy Entrekin of Entrekin Outdoors Maintenance.
New to the ShowHouse this year is a series of Decorator Seminars presented by three participating designers.
The seminars are “How to Create an Outdoor Room” by Bill Aroosian April 22, “Painting 101” by Lynne Coker April 27 and “Properly Displaying Art and Collectibles” by Perry Umphrey April 29.
There’s no extra charge to attend the seminars for those who buy ShowHouse tickets. But reservations are necessary, Teninbaum said, and can be made by calling 969-8033.
Another change this year is that the ShowHouse’s traditional lunch service will give way to boxed lunches provided by Café Iz, Klingler’s Café, Ousler Sandwiches, Pappas’ Grill, Subway and Zoe’s Kitchen.
“You can pick up your lunch and eat in the tent or outside,” Teninbaum said. “If you get to the ShowHouse at 10 a.m. and just want a muffin and coffee, you can get that, too.”
Boxed lunches are $10, desserts are $3, and baked treats and a drink are $5. Food will be available from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
ShowHouse staples returning this year are the Symphony Shop, stocked with artisan-made wares, antiques, and items donated by Symphony Volunteer Council members. Most of the furniture and decorative accessories displayed in the ShowHouse will be for sale in the Decorator Sales office.
Teninbaum said she encourages visitors to take their time when they tour the house.
“Don’t just walk quickly through a room,” she said. “Stand there and look at everything, take in the details.”
Serving as a room hostess and greeting ShowHouse visitors was one of Teninbaum’s favorite duties in past years, she said.
“I’d want to be in a different room every time,” she said. “It was fun to meet people and hear what they thought about the house.”
Decorators’ ShowHouse tickets are $15 through April 17 and $20 after that. Groups of 20 or more can buy tickets for $15. For information on how to buy tickets and a list of ticket outlets, visit www.symphonyvolunteercouncil.org.
Tickets also will be available at the ShowHouse after it opens.
The house will be open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and 2-5 p.m. on Sundays.
There is no parking at the ShowHouse. Shuttle parking is at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2780 Altadena Road. The last shuttle leaves one hour before the house closes each day.
For more information, visit ShowHouse-Al.com or call 969-8033.