Hope each of you have enjoyed a wonderful spring and summer this far!  It’s been a busy month since the Show house ended late May. I have been playing catch up on projects for my wonderful clients who had waited patiently for me. They were all excited for me participating in such a great event. I want to say many thanks to a lot of you who came out to cheer me on. I loved seeing you! I also appreciate all the encouragement from others who were not able to make it, it means a lot.

The Design House Committee said this was their best year yet for showcasing a home. Even a lot of designers who have participated for several years said the same thing. I do hope this was the best year in raising funds for Shelter for Help in Emergency. This year was different; they had created a beautiful gift shop on the premises, also serving special foods to enjoy under a beautiful white tent facing the Garden. There were many seminars on great topics to learn from. What I enjoyed and remembered the most was meeting such great people and building friendships with the Design House, and ones with the Shelter, along with some wonderful designers. They really knew how to make a girl out-of-town feel right at home…. and that they did. We made a great team helping each other if needed, and also the volunteers were just amazing. Some of the volunteers were contractors, electricians, painters who jumped in freely to give a hand. Believe me they did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. I look forward to our continued friendships. Other exciting events took place. There were a couple of local news channels where I had the opportunity to be interviewed, among a few other designers. I always believe when things happen, nothing is for nothing even in the simplest moments, which turn out to be the best ones.

As I promised I wanted to share a follow-up on the Traditional Guest room retreat I designed with all of its finished custom touches. I received tons of raving remarks when ones entered my room. Thanks to John Magor with John Magor Photography for such beautiful detailed photos. The photo’s are now up, Please click above on this top page Portfolio, and click on Design House 2014. Looking at the photos, keep in mind the walls were not only painted by my professional painter but also by a decorative artist. Diane Williams with Art to di For, captured my vision right on in how I explained the way I wanted the walls to look. As the saying goes, if these walls could talk, and they did, they loved it!  She also hand painted the ceilings with a stencil design and a decorative border that was in picked from the custom drapery. The drapery hardware was also hand painted, and the 3 paneled mirrored screen which is mine now, thank you.  Many thanks to Whetstone and Upholstery, Madalyn Hopkins a dear friend who did the custom labor for the soft furnishings, and headboard with my fabric I provided from Duralee’s, Tilton and Fenwick Collection. Again they captured the details I envisioned.I can’t forget Seth Woods with Woods Refinishing and Restoration that hand-made a custom writing desk, and refinished from bare bones an end table and a Chippendale dresser that made many mouths drop. Designer’s market of Richmond, a design show room for the trade only loaned me a chair from Thibaut’s fine furniture collection called “Brentwood”. I like to say a big thank you to Absolute Stone for the granite counter top and vessel sink.  Steve Dash with Method Organized who offered to do a custom closet for me. What a beautiful job he did. Steve is a quality guy who does quality work!  Mary Fender with Frame nation the best frame shop in Richmond did all my custom framing. I and Mary went through old post cards of Charlottesville and had them beautifully framed what an effect it made to the room.  This room was really thought out and designed with a lot of great detail, colors, along with the custom work to make it a retreat for any quest to feel welcomed and rejuvenated. This was a room to be remembered.

Thanks again to you all!!

Much love,

Cheryl Jarvis