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"When you think Saint Louis, think Saint Louis Front Page," a weekly publication covering the news and events in the greater St. Louis area.
St. Louis Front Page."
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St. Louis Front Page
P.O. Box 1354
St. Louis, MO 63188
Voice: 314-771-0200
Fax: 314-771-0300
To submit news, contact:
editor@slfp.com
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The clean lines and untraditional materials of the Urban Zen Villa's foyer/great room was designed by Ellen Kurtz Interiors.
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The kitchen in the Urban Zen Villa was designed by June Roesslein Interiors with contemporary overtones featuring natural maple cabinets, irregular edge backsplash tiles containing random sprinkles of stainless steel and faux concrete countertops by Creative Contracting Solutions.
Peggy Dollard, furniture design consultant with Amini's takes aim on a contemporary pool table as Arash Amini, CEO of Amini's, described the company's focus on design that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
Laurie Jackson and Shannon Mannebach of Creative Designs by L proudly displayed their work creating an elegant dining room in the European Country Villa.
Dove Showhouse design coordinator CJ Knapp, ASID, CJ Knapp Interiors, enjoyed the creative use of hickory bark by Kari Scull, Directions in Design, Inc. to transform an ordinary support column into a tree for the lower level great room in the Woodsy Lodge Villa.
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An Enchanted Journey at the Dove Designers' Showhouse & Gardens
By Betty Moore, SLFP.com
photos by Bob Moore, SLFP.com
ST. PETERS, MO, (SLFP.com) September 20, 2005 - The challenge to create a warm, inviting look for three luxury villas at Ellington Place was embraced by 30 metro area interior designers who transformed the homes into An Enchanted Journey for the Second Annual Dove Designers' Showhouse & Gardens.
A tight deadline of one week, working around Angel Builder Tom Johnson Construction's crew, no electricity and temperatures in the high nineties was taken in stride by the dedicated designers.
In an interview with St. Louis Front Page during a media preview, CJ Knapp, ASID, CJ Knapp Interiors, and design coordinator for the Dove Designers' Showhouse and Gardens of 2005, proudly bestowed praise on their efforts.
"I've done eight showhouses and I have to say this is the best," stated Knapp. "The biggest problem came at the end when we tried to get the designers in here to install their rooms. There was no air conditioning and no electricity after the recent storms."
"The designers and volunteers were really sweating because the houses were so hot. They were also under pressure because with no electricity, they couldn't run power saws or drills. No fans and no lights. I had people trying to install bathrooms with flashlights," she laughed.
"The Dove Showhouse event is an incredible opportunity to experience design ideas with the same square footage done three different ways, using three different colors and three different kinds of textures and looks," stated Knapp. "I'm impressed with every room. I think that there is an idea in every single room to take away with you."
"At the same time, people who tour the villas are supporting our fundraising efforts for Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and Saints Joachim and Ann Care Services," she continued.
Arash Amini, CEO of Amini's Home, Rugs and Game Room, and major Dove House sponsor, enthusiastically answered questions on the dramatic design elements of the lower level great room in the Urban Zen Villa.
"A woman doesn't want an ugly pool table in the middle of the room," smiled Amini. "She wants a piece of furniture that goes with everything else."
Amini emphasized that they work with the designers daily to make sure they have the right trends and styles. "It's not just the performance of the pool table, it's also about the beauty of the entire room," he stated.
"Design and the fun aspect of what we do really has an impact on the quality of family life," he explained. "It's not just about the kids or the husband or the man getting the pool table. It's the design aspect of the pool table sitting in the room and tying in with all the other elements of the room that makes the woman happy and the whole family happy."
Heidi Sowatsky, owner Interiors by Decorating Den, used vivid reds and strong blacks as inspiration for the Urban Zen laundry room. "It's a pretty and practical laundry room that you can really use and live in. Because it's the entrance for the homeowner into the house, we really wanted it to be elegant and beautiful," she stated.
"Our interior designers spent a lot of money on their rooms," commented Knapp. "But, it's not just the money, or time away from family, friends and clients. After the event, they have to tear everything apart and find a home for the furnishings," explained Knapp.
She noted that nearly all the furnishings in the rooms are for sale through the individual Interior Designers. Also, the villas are available completely furnished. Many of the designers also have storefronts to display their work.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for designers to sell things. In addition, a designer can take a concept and work it completely through so that you can see the true creativity of their design," stated Knapp with a warm, knowing smile.
The Dove Showhouse, at Ellington Place subdivision, located near Cave Springs North between highways 70 and 370, continues through September 29. Hours: M-W-Th-F, 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m - 8 p.m, Sat, 10 a.m - 4 p.m. and Sun, noon - 4 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more information about the Dove Foundation, call 636-946-4234.
 The Saint Louis Front Page Style St. Louis is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1996 - 2008 Moore Design Group .
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