April 25, 2008. (JACKSONVILLE, FL) – The week is the final opportunity to tour the spectacular 2008 Designer Showhouse and Gardens presented by Bank of America.

If you have not yet had a chance to see this year’s Symphony Showhouse, now is the time to tour the estate. This year’s Showhouse is a breathtaking, two-story English Country style home, built by Collier Classic Homes. The home is located in the exclusive community of Pablo Creek Reserve and is open to the public through Mother’s Day on May 11th.

The Showhouse pairs classic architectural design with world-class interior design. Keeping true to traditional English Country style, the Showhouse contains multiple kitchens and fireplaces and is carefully designed to feel as if it was built in stages over the years. The inside of the home is decorated by over twenty First Coast interior designers. Each area of the home showcases fine design and stays true to the English Country style theme. The outside of the home offers seven individual garden areas and a stunning view of the lake.

Event organizers have lined up an impressive schedule of special guest presenters who will offer classes, seminars and demonstrations on topics ranging from landscape design and horticulture to interior design and gourmet cooking. These events are complimentary with the purchase of a Showhouse ticket. The schedule for next week will be as follows:

• Wednesday, May 7, The Passion of Collecting: Majolica Transferware Oyster Plates – 10:15 a.m. Mimi Kersun, a nationally recognized specialist in Victorian majolica and porcelain oyster plates, will share her extensive knowledge on these collectables. Kersun will also provide verbal majolica appraisals immediately following her presentation.
• Thursday, May 8, Unique Window Treatments with Exquisite Silk – 10:15 a.m. Discover the many possibilities of unique window treatments centered on unique silks. Mike Kohli will share the fascinating history of Kohli Silk as well as demonstrate quick tips on designing window treatments for the home.
• Thursday, May 8th, Thirsty Thursdays at Central Park from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Neil Roberts of PRP Wines will provide selections from a vast inventory of fine wines in Pablo Creek Reserve’s Central Park. As a special guest, Robert Stebleton will be in attendance. Stebleton is an acclaimed artist whose work is featured in the Grand Hall and stairway of this year’s Showhouse. Hors d’oeuvres, prepared from the Guild’s cookbook, Sounds Delicious, Volume II, will be served.

Tickets for the 2008 Showhouse are available on site for $20 at the Pablo Creek Reserve sales office located at 5050 S. San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, Fl 32224. Tickets can also be purchased for $15 in advance of your visit by visiting www.jaxsymphonyshowhouse.com or at any of the locations listed below:

Tickets purchased in advance are $15.00, cash or check only.

Jacksonville

• Avondale Gift Boutique, 3650 St Johns Avenue, 387-9557
• Designs of the Interior, St. Johns Town Center, 4663 River City Drive, Suite 101(St. Johns Town Center), 620-8100
• Liberty Furniture, 5555 West University Blvd., 737-3700
• Olde Green Cupboard, 10950 San Jose Blvd., 880-6656
• The Wardroom Ltd., 1969 San Marco Avenue, 396-1091
• The Wardroom Ltd., 1520 Prudential Drive, 396-7886

Orange Park

• Annabelle’s Interiors, 46 College Drive, 272-1440
• The Furniture Gallery, 1956 Kingsley Avenue, 272-2228

Northwest St. Johns County

• Curly Willow by Soap Sisters, 605 S.R. 13 North, Suite 102, 230-5551

Atlantic Beach

• Shore Things, 725-A Atlantic Blvd., 249-1313

Ponte Vedra Beach

• Mineral City, 240 A1A North, 285-4784
• Palm Valley Gardens, 4915 Palm Valley Road, 543-7777
• Village Jeweler of Ponte Vedra, 880 Sawgrass Village Drive, 285-4812

St Augustine

• Laterra PGA Tour Spa, 955 Registry Blvd., 940-7800
• Rembrandtz, 131 King Street, 829-9965
• Tre Sebastian, 3 Sebastian Avenue, 824-0095

Amelia Island / Fernandina Beach

• Alexander’s, 4924 First Coast Highway, 277-2040
• First National Bank of Nassau County, 1981 South 14th Street, 321-0400
• The Wardroom Ltd., Harris Teeter Center, Suite 110, Highway A1A, 261-1008

Southeast Georgia

• Southern Charmer, 1613 Highway 40 East, Kingsland, (912) 729-2116
• The Cottage Shop, 2015-A Osborne Road, St. Marys, (912) 882-9171

Curves for Women

• Arlington and Northside

2771 Monument Road, 997-0100

• Southside, Mandarin and Fruit Cove

465 State Road 13, Suite 12, Fruit Cove, 230-2820

• The Beaches

1569 Atlantic Blvd., 241-0101

210 – 3rd Avenue South, 270-2171

13947 #104 Beach Blvd, 992-2260

278 Solana Road, Ponte Vedra, 280-5565

Hours of Operation
Saturday, April 19 - Sunday, May 11, 2007
Monday-Wednesday & Friday-Saturday — 10 am to 3:15pm*
Thursday —10 am to 7 pm*
Sunday — 12 pm to 5 pm*
* Last entry admitted at this time.

The Designer Showhouse and Gardens is the key fundraiser of the Symphony Guild and proceeds help fund the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra for future years. The Showhouse is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. On Thursday the home is open from 10 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. For more information, call the Guild office at (904) 358-1479.