Don’t get me wrong, I love to travel. It’s been an honor to participate in showhouses around the country. Last fall I was designing a room for the Traditional Home Napa Valley Showhouse and last summer, I had the pleasure of contributing to the 2016 Traditional Home Hampton Designer Showhouse. Still, when the ask to be involved with the Traditional Home Showhouse tour in Dallas came —for the first time in Traditional Home Showhouse history—I felt as though I was finally on the home team.
Not that it’s a competition. Every showhouse is a collaboration, and this fall’s Dallas Decorators Showhouse will feature rooms by more than 20 designers, including Elle Cole Interiors. It’s one of four showhouses left on the 2017 Traditional Home National Showhouse Tour. But, the Dallas Decorators Showhouse will be different from the Hamptons, Savannah and Palm Springs showhouses. It’s the only one to be partnering with an HGTV star.
You may remember her as a finalist on the first season of HGTV’s Design Star. Most likely, you know her as the host of HGTV’s Donna Decorates Dallas. However you know her, Texas native Donna Moss, and her husband, builder Paul Moss, were instrumental in bringing the Dallas Decorators Showhouse from idealistic blueprints to nearly 8,000 square feet of well-appointed reality. (After all, Donna’s nickname is the “Queen of Bling.”)
The Dallas Decorators Showhouse, designed and built by the Mosses, is one of Southlake’s newest estates. In fact, the $3.2 million-dollar house is still under construction! But don’t worry, it should be done in time for the opening night gala on Saturday, September 23. The house will then be open to the public Tuesday through Sunday until October 22. Tickets are $35 with most of the proceeds benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association of North Central Texas. (The charity will also get at least three percent of the money paid for the purchase of the home.) Finding a cure for Alzheimer’s—the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S.— is particularly important to Donna. Her mother-in-law is currently battling the disease.
Along with the philanthropic component, I’m inspired by the posh property itself. My team and I have the fun challenge of elevating the expansive outdoor spaces—three courtyards and a sparkling pool situated on 1.5 acres. We’re still in the planning phase, but we know we’re going to mix Mediterranean with modern. Think: Lake Como meets Slim Aaron’s Palm Beach. And just because we’re working with the exterior doesn’t mean it won’t be elegant. In fact, we’re bringing in the crème de la crème of cabanas—a custom tent designed by the South Carolina-based couture tent company, Boutique Tents.
Of course, we’ll also incorporate touches of Texas. After all, this is the Dallas Decorators Showhouse. I know they say “Go big or go home,” but here in Texas, I think you can do both.
For tickets, visit www.dallasshowhouse.com. I hope to see you all there!