When Designers Have A Free Hand

It’s not every day the public has an opportunity to see what happens when 11 talented designers take a brand-new, 5,100-square-foot house and transform it into a spectacular showplace. That was the case in late February when members of the Treasure Coast and Vero Beach Rotary clubs hosted the Designer Showhouse, an inaugural fundraising event to benefit Rotary youth activities, programs and projects. From classic to contemporary, sedate to spunky, local designers waved their creative wands over every room in the Addison Mizner-inspired residence.

Tracy and John Carroll purchased the property in Riomar two years ago, and set about rebuilding what was a small ’70s-style ranch into a two-story, five-bedroom, pool home featuring a walled courtyard, fountain and balconies. With all of the rooms and ceilings painted white, the designers were given a blank canvas on which to unleash their considerable talents. Using layers of texture and colors subtle to bold, they created rooms that sparkled and often surprised, and those who came to see and support the fundraiser applauded their efforts.

Read the entire article in the April 2009 issue