By Donna Cornelius
Journal features writer
Springtime in Birmingham means putting away winter coats, getting out the gardening tools—and visiting the Decorators’ ShowHouse.
The annual Alabama Symphony Orchestra fundraiser lets designers create one-of-a-kind rooms in splendid settings. This year’s 38th ShowHouse, which will be open April 26-May 11, is the 12,000-square-foot Villa D’Ambra at 4021 St. Charles Drive in Hoover’s Greystone neighborhood.
Nan Teninbaum, ShowHouse publicity and marketing chairman for the Symphony Volunteer Council, said the ShowHouse has become a seasonal tradition for many who mark their calendars to attend year after year.
“This is the number one fundraiser for the Alabama Symphony, and it has a lot of history,” Teninbaum said. “It’s a tradition. When spring comes, people think about ShowHouse.”
Those who attend can look forward to a few hours of fun while supporting the symphony, she said.
“It’s an escape. You can have lunch and spend some leisurely time here,” Teninbaum said. “You see something new and different and get ideas. You can dream and wish.”
You can also buy some of the ShowHouse’s furniture and accessories from the designers—or you can buy the house itself.
Owned by Michael and Michelle D’Ambra, the house is now on the market.
“This is a magnificent structure,” Teninbaum said. “It’s very Mediterranean, and the architectural details are very reminiscent of Europe.”
There’s a good reason for that. The D’Ambras built the house in 1994 when Michael D’Ambra was president of Time Warner’s Birmingham division. The couple spent four years abroad when he became Time Warner’s CEO and president in France. They kept their Greystone home during that time and, when they returned to Birmingham in 2003, made changes that reflected French and other European architectural styles and influences.
The D’Ambras replaced the house’s existing exterior with limestone. At the front entrance is a limestone arch that weighs more than 3,000 pounds and a pair of stone lions. Also added was an expansive loggia across the back of the house.
While landscape designers often participate in the ShowHouse by grooming the grounds, that wasn’t necessary this year. The 4 ½-acre property’s gardens already had been thoughtfully designed and carefully tended, with Italian cypress trees and crape myrtle and other native trees as well as steps that lead to the lake. A pergola covered in the spring with yellow jessamine vines shades an inviting hammock.
Inside, the house’s open design allows views of the living room, dining room, loggia and library from the foyer.
In the foyer, a sparkling 64-light Bohemian crystal chandelier hangs from the 28-foot ceiling. Tiles in the main level common areas are Italian, and walls are Venetian plaster.
“There are so many curves and archways in the windows, hallways and walkways,” Teninbaum said. “So much was imported from Europe.”
The house has four bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms and four fireplaces.
Know Before You Go:
While seeing the house and the designers’ work are the main attractions, other Decorators’ ShowHouse features are popular, too, Nan Teninbaum said. One of these is the Symphony Shop, where visitors can buy items to take home.
“People love the Symphony Shop,” she said. “They find crafts, antiques, jewelry and some of the newest trends in decorative items.”
This year, B&A Warehouse is providing lunch in the Margaret Alford Tea Room Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The price is $13, and reservations are required for groups of 10 or more.
Those who can’t resist dessert can visit Bailey’s Sweet Shoppe stocked with $3 treats that are homemade and donated by Birmingham area bakeries. The Sweet Shoppe is open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sundays from 2-5:30 p.m.
ShowHouse hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and 2-6 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets are $15 until April 25. Once the house opens on April 26, tickets are $20 and will be available at the door. Groups of 20 or more can get tickets for $15 each.
For a list of ticket outlets and more information about group reservations, visit ShowHouse-Al.com or call 980-7242.
There’s no parking allowed at the ShowHouse. Shuttle parking is at the Church at Brook Hills, 3145 Brook Highland Parkway. The last shuttle leaves one hour before the house closes each day.
Children under 8 years old aren’t allowed in the ShowHouse, and visitors may not bring backpacks, umbrellas, large tote bags, purses or cameras, according to ShowHouse officials.
If you can’t wait until the house’s official opening day, you can attend the Sneak Peek party April 25 at 6:30 p.m.
The dressy-casual event with door prizes includes dinner by B&A Warehouse, wine and a tour of the house. Guests also receive a 15 percent discount in the Symphony Shop. Entertainment will include music by Eric Carlton.
Tickets are $70, and reservations are required. For more information, contact Liz Warren at 979-0311 or [email protected].
The ShowHouse’s opening day ribbon-cutting ceremony is April 25 at 7 p.m.