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A hoop house turned meditation studio designed by The Giving Room and event organizer Bob Tapp. (Credit: Liz Glasgow)

The organizers of the North Fork Designer Show House, a charitable event in which local home and landscape designers join together to transform a shabby 19th-century farmhouse into a dwelling worthy of a magazine spread, are at it again.

But following the success of two previous events — one last August and a Christmas-themed show house in December — they face the dual challenge of wowing returning guests and attracting new visitors to the 12-room home, which is again on loan from Cutchogue Presbyterian Church.

“We had to figure out how to make it a draw for new people,” said Kate DiGregorio of the event’s organizing committee. “It had to be 100 percent different.”

To make the project distinct from the previous events, new designers have been brought in to curate the rooms. Returning participants have been assigned added outdoor spaces, including a 1965 aluminum Airstream trailer and a hoop house turned meditation studio. Jessica Lee, who owns the lot adjacent to the show house, has made part of her property available for the event.

The culmination of 31 participating designers’ efforts is a space where antique meets modern, rustic meets chic and elegant meets silly.

“Many of us on the committee think it’s even prettier than the last,” said Bob Tapp of the organizing committee, which is rounded out by Nick Ellis, Christine Kosmynka, Melissa Buckley and Barbara and Tom McAdam. “The coordination and flow is amazing.”

A shed designed by Gosia Rojek of Pas-Par-Tou. (Credit: Liz Glasgow)
A shed designed by Gosia Rojek of Pas-Par-Tou. (Credit: Liz Glasgow)

Once again, the interior rooms of the former church manse are not to be missed — of note are Melissa Hyatt’s kitchen color scheme and a mod-meets-Asian loft-style attic by Renée and Mike Lisowy of Wallace Home Design Center — but it’s the new outdoor spaces that many visitors will likely claim as their favorites.

With vintage touches like a push reel lawn mover, the retro trailer by Joann Brancato, owner of Open Space in Greenport, and a cozy chic outdoor patio designed by Lori Guyer, owner of the White Flower Farm House, will surely be standouts for many.

“Everything I own is from the ’60s,” said Brancato, who sported a pair of cat’s-eye glasses while putting the finished touches on her trailer. “I’m madly in love and obsessed with [that time].”

Inside the house, every room has been completely transformed from what visitors saw in August and December. A living room done in white and muted blues now features banana leaf curtains, a brass-plated fire screen and hand-made pottery.

“It’s a mix of antiques and new pieces,” said designer Drew Allt of Drew Patrick Home in Bay Shore.

A porch designed by Julie Hanus of Blooms By Design and Terry Hofer. (Credit: Liz Glasgow)
A porch designed by Julie Hanus of Blooms By Design and Terry Hofer. (Credit: Liz Glasgow)

The back porch now features a mini herb garden and a white wicker chair. A child’s old bed frame now serves as wall art.

“This is a farmhouse, so it’s just easy East End living,” said Julie Hanus of the Cutchogue floral shop Blooms by Design. “This is where you would come and have a cup of coffee in the morning.”

Although the event surely brings the designers exposure, they all have donated countless hours and material to making their respective spaces beautiful.

Organizers hope the event will raise $100,000 through admission fees, raffles and tickets sales for an opening night gala. This year’s proceeds will benefit CAST, Maureen’s Haven and North Fork Animal Welfare League and support scholarships for local high school students pursuing careers in design or public service. Beall and Bell of Greenport is also selling a chair upholstered in Malian bogolan cloth, proceeds from which will benefit the people of Mali.

The attic of the home designed by Renée and Mike Lisowy of Wallace Home Design. (Credit: Liz Glasgow)
The attic of the home designed by Renée and Mike Lisowy of Wallace Home Design. (Credit: Liz Glasgow)

“I have a young family, so for me, it’s showing how important it is to give back,” Hanus said. “The world is a bigger place than just you. There are people struggling in your community, even if you don’t see it.”

The North Fork Designer Show House will be open Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Aug. 14 through Sept. 6.  Admission is $25 and tickets are available at the door.

The opening night reception on Friday, Aug. 14, runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $125 at the door. Touch of Venice, Macari Vineyards, Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. and Woodside Orchards will provide the food and beverages. The Jon Divello Duo will perform live music.

The house is located at 27150 Main Road in Cutchogue. For more information, visit northforkdesignershowhouse.com.

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