Kaira Sturdivant Rouda

Every other year, the Women’s Board of the Columbus Museum of Art selects one of Columbus’ finest homes for a complete transformation by central Ohio’s top interior designers. More than 200 guests, many of them in Roaring ’20s dress, got a sneak peak at this year’s house at the first of two preview parties last Friday night.

The empty house destined to be the 2007 Decorators’ Show House is at 363 Westland Ave. in Bexley. Surrounded by sweeping lawns leading down to the banks of Alum Creek, the 1926-built Lowder House was the backdrop for a sparkling cocktail reception in the Gatsby style.

Jazz music greeted the guests, who included corporate sponsors, members and guests of the Women’s Board, Columbus Museum of Art staff and interior designers. Some of the guests enjoying the evening were Mike and Karen Fiorile, Charles Kleibacker, Kevin Brown, Nancy Duncan Porter, Melissa and Tim Wallace, Kathleen and Ed Gaydos, Blair and John Adams, Linda and Bryan Little, Harley Rouda, Susan and Paul Berg, Nancy and John Cardenas, Andy Schiffman, Samantha Falter, Pam Evans, Carol Mitsoulis, Greg and Maurie Maurer, Dede and Joe Donovan, Shari and Bill Schwartz, Deb Susi, Carol and Bruce Savage, Jeffrey and Stacia Clifton, and Nancy Johnson.

More than $14,000 was raised to benefit the Columbus Museum of Art.

The Lowder House: An American Classic:

The stately and charming home at 363 Westland Ave. is an American classic in the Colonial revival style. The home’s magnificent pastoral setting has provided a nurturing environment for generations of prominent Bexley families.

The house was built for Preston Davis, whose wife wanted to live near the home of her best friend at 379 Westland Ave. The Davises bought the property and built the magnificent home to house Mrs. Davis’ collection of American antiques. Mr. Davis was publisher of “Current Events,” the first newspaper for middle and high school students, and within two years, would become the sponsoring founder of “Current Events’” more famous sister publication, “My Weekly Reader.”

The Davis family lived in the house until 1952, and Preston Davis’ children remained in Columbus. The Davises’ daughter married Herb Cook Sr., and their son Herb Cook Jr. has been prominent in the publishing business.

Another prominent couple to reside in the home was Donald M. Casto II and his wife Betty, who owned the house from 1956 to 1967. Three generations of the Castos have been involved in commercial and residential real estate, including the Castos’ son Don M. Casto III.

Additional owners have included the Shawans, the Lucases, Sharon Cohodes, the Stevenses, and, currently, Ann and Pete Lowder.

What designers are involved?

Decorators’ Show House is planned in conjunction with local chapter 32 of the American Society of Interior Designers Designers to be showcased include Beanie Gentile, B. Gentile Interiors; Debbie Cameron, Classique Design; Carlene Zeeches, Interior Decorations; David Berg of David M. Berg, Ltd.; Rhonda Blue of Blue Designs, LLC; Doug and Rose Mary Kohler of Findley-Kohler; Peggy Smith of Howard Brooks; Connie Nye of Interior Louvers & Design; Sally McDonald and Marisa Vallo of InteriorWorks by Sally McDonald; Cathi Jones of Jones of Columbus; Katie Hixon of Katie Hixon Interiors, Inc.; Kellie Toole of Kellie Toole Interior Design, Ltd.; Joan Ball, Sharon Danyi and M.K. Piras of LDC Associates; Marilyn Livingston, Livingston Interiors; Tracie McGarity, Tracie McGarity Interiors; Van Shephard and Molly McNitt of Lombards; Kristin Orban and Anna Lyon of Macys, Tuttle; Marlene Medick of Marlene Medick Interior Design; Randi Ozan of Randi Ozan & Associates, Inc.; Susan Matrka of Susan Matrka Interiors; Terri Slee of Terri Slee Interiors; and Pam Yost of Grand Design Group.

Raising money for the Columbus Museum of Art

The Decorators’ Show House is a biennial fund-raiser for the Columbus Museum of Art. Since the first Show House in 1975, this Columbus tradition has raised nearly $3-million for the museum.

Co-chairs for this year’s Decorators’ Show House are Toni Crosby and Shannan Dankworth. Committee members include Jo Alexander, Yvonne Aschinger, Nancy Backner, Monica Blaine, Melanie Brown, Julie Caton, Carole Chidester, Robin Comfort, Kathy Drabant, Lorrie Durik, Pam Edwards, Kathleen Gaydos (Women’s Board President), Kristi Ghidotti, Gloria Groat, Julie Guy, Mary Ellen Hatch, Pat Hayden, Bev Houseman, Pam Hughes, Rhonda Koulermos, Suzanne Kull, Jackie Lovett, Mary McMartin, Gretchen McNeil, Christine Niegsch, Jody Oster, Suzy Prest, Lana Rapp, Julie Reed, Ellen Rubel, Georgene Smith, Libby Tarrier, and Kathy Urban.

The next preview party will be held Thursday, April 26, when the finished rooms will be unveiled at a black-tie optional preview party to celebrate the completed Show House.

The public can tour the 2007 Decorators’ Show House from Saturday, April 28, through Sunday, May 13. Hours will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance from a member of the Women’s Board, and $15 once Show House opens.Tickets are available at the Columbus Museum of Art gift shop, at the door during Show House, online at www.columbusmuseum.org or by calling the ticket line at 487-1076.

source : www.thisweeknews.com