The Symphony Guild held a party at the 2011 Showhouse. Guest were treated to food by Matthew’s, music and a tour of the home. Look and see if you were spotted by your Girl On The Town Photographer for Jacksonville.com.

Click here to see the Symphony guild Showhouse Preview Gala photographs!

Jacksonville, FL – March 18, 2011 – The Jacksonville Symphony Guild will feature a variety of fund-raising events to benefit the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra at the 2011 Designer Showhouse on Saturday, April 2 until Sunday, April 24 at 9433 Coxwell Lane in Jacksonville.

The annual Designer Showhouse Preview Gala opening event will be held on Friday, April 1 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Showhouse property. Cost per person is $100 ($50 deductible) with catering by Alhambra Theatre & Dining and Chef Matthew Medure. Beer, wine and water included. Raffle drawings are available.

Some of the event highlights include music performed by Pamela Almand, an international airline captain. Almand’s voice is heard on national TV and radio commercials. Also, a sneak peak performance of the cast of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers opening at the Alhambra will be featured. Attendees have access to The Village Shops with interior design and home specialty items for sale.

Deadline is March 27 for Preview Gala reservations and payment. For more information and tickets, call 904.280.2373.

Advance tickets are now available for the Showhouse tour at $15 per person. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets for $12 per person. Tickets will be available on site at the Showhouse for $20. There is no cost to visit “The Village Shops” or to attend the Designer’s Sale on April 25. Contact The Guild office at (904) 358-1479 for tickets and general information. Visit the website at www.jaxsymphonyshowhouse.com.

The Jacksonville Symphony Guild 2011 Designer Showhouse is presented by Alhambra Theatre & Dining, BMW/Tom Bush BMW, jacksonville.com, The Florida Times-Union and Times-Union Media.

Jacksonville Symphony Guild Designer Showhouse 2011 committee to feature drawing for unique painted violin by Christine Henderson Schmidt

Jacksonville, FL – March 4, 2011 – The Jacksonville Symphony Guild will feature a variety of fund-raising events to benefit the Jacksonville
Symphony Orchestra at the 2011 Designer Showhouse. The Showhouse will be held from Saturday, April 2 until Sunday, April 24 at 9433 Coxwell Lane in Jacksonville.

The newest addition to this year’s fundraising efforts will be a unique, painted violin by renowned artist Christine Henderson Schmidt, a
Jacksonville civic leader who many remember as a “Renaissance Woman” of her time, according to Rose Littlefield and Marge Burgess, Symphony Designer Showhouse co-chairs. Schmidt organized many civic and charitable events in Jacksonville. Before she died in 2009, at the age of 87, Schmidt donated a series of her painted violins to The Guild as a fund-raising tool.

“The Guild is very excited to have the violin and very happy to share it with the winner of a drawing that we’ll have at the Showhouse,” Littlefield said. “Free drawing ballots can be obtained in the Resource Center with purchase of a Showhouse ticket and the winner will be notified after the Showhouse closes.”

Schmidt helped start the first Symphony Showhouse in Jacksonville in 1972 - the first in the state of Florida. In that same year, Schmidt marshaled a group of Jacksonville women from women’s clubs, garden clubs, Junior League and historic societies and convinced Gov. Reubin Askew and the cabinet that the old state capitol building’s dome should be saved.  A month later, plans for the new 22-story tower structure were unveiled that contained the old dome nestled in the tower’s shadow. Today the dome is the centerpiece of the Florida State Capitol complex.

In 1976, Schmidt received an EVE Award by The Florida Times-Union in the volunteer category, she was cited for having raised more than $300,000 over 13 years for the American Cancer Society, Jacksonville Symphony, Episcopal schools, WJCT TV-7, Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, Museum of Science and History and the Garden Club of Jacksonville.

In addition to the violin drawing, several special events will be held, including the Preview Luncheon on March 31 and Preview Gala on Friday, April 1. A Speakers’ Series at the Showhouse will run from April 5 until April 21. The Showhouse Boutique, sponsored by Avondale Gift Boutique, will be joined by “The Village Shops,” where interior design and home specialty items will be available for sale to the public. The Designer’s Sale will be held on Monday, April 25, following the closing of the Showhouse.

Advance ticket prices are $15. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets for $12 per person. Tickets will be available on site at the Showhouse for $20. There is no cost to visit “The Village Shops” or to attend the Designer’s Sale. Contact The Guild office at (904) 358-1479 for tickets and general information. Visit the website at www.jaxsymphonyshowhouse.com.

The Jacksonville Symphony Guild 2011 Designer Showhouse is presented by Alhambra Theatre & Dining, BMW/Tom Bush BMW, jacksonville.com, The Florida Times-Union and Times-Union Media.

Special Note to Media:

Jacksonville Symphony Guild 2011 Designer Showhouse and Designers announced

Jacksonville, FL – January 17, 2011 – The Jacksonville Symphony Guild has announced that the 17-acre Coxwell Estate, located at 9433 Coxwell Lane in Jacksonville, will be its 2011 Designer Showhouse. The Showhouse will feature a variety of fundraising events to benefit the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.

According to Rose L. Littlefield and Marge Burgess, Symphony Guild Designer Showhouse co-chairs, the theme of this year’s Showhouse is “Southern Grandeur,” which typifies the expansive two-story residence that sits on a gated estate with entryway featuring a large, natural stone and nature-themed fountain with lawns, nature areas and natural streams.

More than 25 of Northeast Florida’s most prominent interior designers have committed to providing extensive, upscale interior, exterior and landscape renovations and design improvements at the residence. According to

Brenda Luten, Allied Member ASID and Designer Selection Chair, the following area professionals have committed to providing pro bono services for the fundraiser:

First Floor -

• Foyer and Upstairs Landing: Natalie Cordova, Talia Steiner and Jeanette Brunick – St. Johns Paint and Decorating.
• Master Bath, Powder Bath: Heidi Hall-Jones – Punch Jones.
• Living Room: Gary Adler, IIDA – Adler Design Assoc. Inc.
• Dining Room: Terra Kerley – Terra Kerley Interiors
• Kitchen and Breakfast: Alice Atkins Mccoy – Alice Designs for You, LLC
• Family Room: Katrina O’Nan – Katrina O’Nan Interiors
• Summer Kitchen and Lanai: Carson Phillips – Florida Backyard
• Pool Bath: Marie Pearce – Marie Pearce Designs
• Master Bedroom: Michael Parrish and Terry W. Adams – Design Elements
• Study: Charles M. Gardner and Kyle M. Williams – C & K Designs
• Guest Suite: Marissa Napoli -West Elm
• Laundry: Interior design students from Florida State College

more…

Second Floor –

• Gallery and Loft:  Natalie Cordova, Talia Steiner and Jeanette Brunick – St. Johns Paint and Decorating.
• Bedroom Suite #2 and deck: Laura West Howson – Mineral City Inc.
• Bedroom Suite #3 and deck: Sharon Blank – Boca Bargoons
• Bedroom Suite #3 closets: Susan Boylan – California Closets
• Nursery, Jack and Jill Bath: Brenda Luten, Allied Member ASID – Interiors Complete Design, LLC and Pam Howard – Village Design Studio.

The Showhouse opens to the public on Saturday, April 2 and runs through Sunday, April 24. Additionally, several special events will be held, including the Preview Luncheon on Thursday, March 31 and Preview Gala on Friday, April 1. In addition to the Showhouse Boutique, this year’s Showhouse debuts “The Village Shops” where interior design and home specialty items will be available for sale to the public.  Also, the Designer’s Sale will be held on Monday, April 25 following the closing of the Showhouse.

Advance ticket prices are $15. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets for $12 per person. Tickets will be available on site at the Showhouse for $20. There is no cost to visit “The Village Shops” or to attend the Designer’s Sale. Contact The Guild office at (904) 358-1479 for tickets and general information. Visit the website at www.jaxsymphonyshowhouse.com.

The Showhouse features 7,000 square feet of space with five bedrooms, five full baths, one half bath and a variety of spacious rooms with abundant closets, a formal living and dining room with a dual-sided fireplace. In addition, the master wing has two separate bedroom suites separated by a formal library and office. The gathering room includes a fireplace, breakfast nook, large kitchen, and a media room that opens to an oversized screened-in lanai and large heated swimming pool, pool bath and an outdoor kitchen with commercial smoker.

The property also has a detached, four-car garage and a detached RV garage with six bays as well as a storage building. The home was built in 1999, and is listed for sale at more than $1.68 million. The homesite is located among only three other estate properties in the community.

The Jacksonville Symphony Guild is in its 61st year of volunteer support for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Since 1972, the Designer Showhouse has served as The Guild’s most significant annual fundraiser. The Guild’s history includes thousands of volunteers who have served the organization, which was founded by a few local ladies who set up chairs in the Armory for audiences to enjoy symphony music in northeast Florida.

“Our volunteers today are men and women of vision, with a passion for music and a willingness to do whatever is needed to help the orchestra grow and succeed,” said Littlefield. “The Guild and the annual Designer Showhouse events exist to support the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and its mission of music education and performance, which enriches the lives of all of our citizens in ways that cannot be calculated.”

The Jacksonville Symphony Guild 2011 Designer Showhouse is presented by Alhambra Theatre & Dining, BMW/Tom Bush BMW, jacksonville.com, The Florida Times-Union and Times-Union Media

Jacksonville, FL – January 4, 2011 – The Jacksonville Symphony Guild’s 2011 Designer Showhouse location has been announced at the Coxwell Estate, a 17-acre property located at 9433 Coxwell Lane in Jacksonville. The Showhouse will feature a variety of fundraising events to benefit the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. The theme of this year’s Showhouse is “Southern Grandeur” which typifies the expansive two-story residence that sits on a gated estate with entryway featuring a large, natural stone and nature-themed fountain with lawns, nature areas and natural streams.

The Showhouse opens to the public on Saturday, April 2 and runs through Sunday, April 24. Additionally, several special events will be held including the Showhouse luncheon on Thursday, March 31 and a preview party and tour on Friday, April 1. New additions to the Designer Showhouse this year include “Village of Shops” where interior design and home specialty items are available for sale to the public along with a Designer’s Sale at the end of the event.

Advance ticket prices are $15. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets for $12 per person. Tickets will be available to purchase on site at the Showhouse for $20. There is no cost to visit “Village of Shops” or to attend the Designer’s Sale. Contact The Guild office at (904) 358-1479 for tickets and general information. Visit the website at www.jaxsymphony.org.

According to Rose L. Littlefield and Marge Burgess, Symphony Guild Designer Showhouse co-chairs, more than 25 of northeast Florida’s most prominent designers have committed to providing extensive, upscale interior, exterior and landscape renovations and design improvements at the residence.

The Showhouse features 7,000 square feet of space with five bedrooms, five full baths, one half bath and a variety of spacious rooms with abundant closets, a formal living and dining room with a dual-sided fireplace. In addition, the master wing has two separate bedroom suites separated by a formal library and office. The gathering room includes a fireplace, breakfast nook, large kitchen, and a media room which opens to an oversized screened-in lanai and large heated swimming pool, pool bath and an outdoor kitchen with commercial smoker.

The property also includes a detached, four-car garage and a detached RV garage with six bays and a storage building. The home was built in 1999 and is listed for sale at more than $1.68 million. The homesite is located among only three other estate properties in the community.

The Jacksonville Symphony Guild is in its 61st year of volunteer support for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Since 1972, the Designer Showhouse has served as The Guild’s most significant annual fundraiser. The Guild’s history includes thousands of volunteers who have served the organization which was initially founded by a few local ladies who set up chairs in the Armory for audiences to enjoy symphony music in northeast Florida.

“Our volunteers today are men and women of vision, with a passion for music, and a willingness to do whatever is needed to help the orchestra grow and succeed,” said Littlefield. “The Guild and the annual Designer Showhouse events exist to support the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and its mission of music education and performance which enriches the lives of all of our citizens in ways that cannot be calculated.”

The Jacksonville Symphony Guild 2011 Designer Showhouse is presented by The Florida Times-Union and BMW/Tom Bush BMW.

The Jacksonville Symphony Guild will be celebrating their 60^th anniversary and preparing for public opening of the 2010 Jacksonville Symphony Guild Designer Showhouse by Toll Brothers at the Showhouse Preview Luncheon at Coastal Oaks at Nocatee. The luncheon will recognize many of the people who have been significant contributors to the Guild during the 60 years of its existence and will be catered by Heirlooms.

A sneak preview tour of the 2010 Designer Showhouse by Toll Brothers at Coastal Oaks at Nocatee will follow the luncheon. This is a great opportunity to get exclusive footage of the completed home and speak with the designers. For more information please see the attached media advisory or contact Teresa Eichner at 904.982.9028.

Preview Luncheon 60th Anniversary-3-30