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This weekend marks the kickoff of a longstanding Bluegrass design tradition, the 23rd Decorators' Showcase, presented by the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency (NHOA) of the Bluegrass. This year’s showcase will take place at the historic Highland Hall, a Greek Revival House built in 1855 by Isaac Shelby, the grandson and namesake of Kentucky’s first and fifth governor. The home was purchased earlier this decade by Mr. and Mrs. William C. Hurt II, who have been painstakingly restoring it to represent its original construction. Homeowner Bill Hurt’s son, J. Stuart Hurt, is an owner of house, a design and accessory center which recently relocated to Walton Avenue in Chevy Chase; house is a presenting sponsor of the event and decorated one of the home’s bedroom for the event.
Each room and the exterior of the home have been meticulously decorated by an esteemed collection of local designers, who have donated their talents for the showcase. Public tours will be available Wednesday through Sunday from May 12 - June 10 (No tours May 27). Proceeds benefit the NHOA, which works to improve the quality of care for residents of long-term care facilities in the Bluegrass region.
The showcase started in 1976 as a fundraiser for the Women’s Neighborly Organization, a civic organization that worked to address problems of poverty and racial inequality in Lexington. Members of that organization and other community leaders joined forces to start the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency in 1981.
Other designers participating in the event include Carriage Trade, Counter Culture Plus, Creative Kitchen & Bath, For Friends!, Gratz Park Inn, Greentree Antiques, Housewarmings, Hubbuch & Co., Ivy Down Interiors, j. stuart hurt, John Enochs, The Keeneland Shop, Lexington Furniture, L.V. Harkness, Norwalk Furniture & Design, Scout Antiques, Thoroughbred Antique Gallery and Troy Johnson and Julie McDearmon.
Highland Hall is located at 6208 Old Richmond Rd. More information on the event can be found at www.decshowcase.com.