FOCUS: Symphony League’s Designer Showhouse to open March 27

16 Rutledge Ave., Charleston. Photo provided.

Staff reports  |  An elegant 1903 high-style Queen Anne Victorian house on Rutledge Avenue near Colonial Lake will be featured March 27 to April 28 as the 42^nd annual designer showhouse for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League.

“We are thrilled to present our 2019 Designer Showhouse, where the focus is on our beautiful city, its exceptional architecture and our talented and wonderful designers,” said Kitty Reid, president of the league.  “Springtime is so special in Charleston, and this most cherished event welcomes thousands of visitors to Charleston each year. We’re so happy to be a part of presenting our city and all it has to offer to the world.”

Visitors will find three levels of spaces presented by local interior designers. The home at 16 Rutledge Avenue was built by Charleston Mayor Wilson G. Harvey, later lieutenant governor and governor of South Carolina, who lived next door. The Harveys are one of only three families to own the house, which retains its dramatic period exterior ornamentation and elegant interior features.  This year, the house is generously provided by Wendy and Allen Gibson and represented by Margaret von Werssowetz of Handsome Properties.

The house, as well as a SCORE pop-up shop with specially-curated items, will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, except on Easter.  To learn more about the showcase and designers, click here.  Tickets at the door will be available beginning March 27 for $25 each.  All proceeds benefit the Charleston Symphony and fund music scholarships.

A special ribbon-cutting ceremony will occur during a $100-per-ticket black-tie-optional preview part at 6 p.m. March 26 where the Charleston Symphony Brass Ensemble will offer music.

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra League is a multi-talented group of more than 250 dedicated volunteers whose purpose is to support the local symphony, encourage talented young musicians and inspire classical music lovers for generations to come. The organization is the largest institutional donor to the symphony, providing over $210,000 last year. The annual Symphony Designer Showhouse is the largest fundraiser.

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