Symphony Show House is open — and it’s a looker!

The 2012 Symphony Show House

The 2012 Symphony Show House

The Knoxville Symphony League’s 25th anniversary Show House is open and it’s one of the best ever. If you are interested in design — or just in having an unusual and engrossing day, I recommend you get with a friend or two and head over there.

What makes the Show House so intriguing is that each room of the 6,000-square-foot home is fashioned by a different designer. You literally can spend hours just taking everything in. It will be open through May 13.

If you go at lunch time, stop by the on-site tea room. It is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Show House itself is open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The Symphony Show House this year is located at 1952 Oakleigh Way, which is off Duncan Road. Cost to get in is $15 at the door. Or, if you want to go more than once, get a season pass for $25. Or, get together a group of six or more and get a special luncheon tour. (For info on that, click here to go to the Show House website.)

Want to buy the Show House? No problem. It only costs $2.6 million — and that’s without all the beautiful furnishings. The architect is Haden Reid. Builder is Robert A. Dew. The News Sentinel is presenting sponsor of the Show House. The Show House is a pro bono client of Moxley Carmichael. Funds raised at the Show House benefit the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

Here’s what we saw at the preview party last Thursday. Enjoy!

Sondra Nanney, left, is chairman along with Jane Venable of the Show House. Here, Sondra is pictured with Linda Royston, the Symphony League's treasurer.

Sondra Nanney, left, is chairman, along with Jane Venable, of the Show House. Here, Sondra is pictured with Linda Royston, the Symphony League's treasurer.

Janet Vail, left, and Willene Chalmers helped welcome guests to the preview party.

Janet Vail, left, and Willene Chalmers helped welcome guests to the preview party.

Angela Pugh, this year's League president, models the blue booties everyone must wear in the Show House.

Angela Pugh, this year's League president, models the blue booties everyone must wear in the Show House.

Martha and Bob Breazeale get prepped to enter the home.

Martha and Bob Breazeale get prepped to enter the home.

Alan surveys the master bedroom. Wow. It was designed by Betsy Graziano who says it borrows elements from teh glamorous Regency Hollywood look.

Alan Carmichael surveys the master bedroom. Wow. It was designed by Betsy Graziano who says it borrows elements from the glamorous Regency Hollywood look.

This fluffy chair in the master bedroom is made of Tibetian sheep fur. (I'm pretty sure my cat would like it!)

This fluffy chair in the master bedroom is made of Tibetian sheep fur. (I'm pretty sure my cat would like it!)

Here is a view of the dining room.

Linda McEntire and Melissa McEntire-Mayes designed the dining room.

Loved this touch on the ceiling of the dining room.

Loved this touch on the ceiling of the dining room.

A quartet from the Knoxville Symphony helped set a lovely mood. The are, from left, Diane Zelickman, John Michael Fox, Ihsan Kartal and Jennifer Bloch.

A quartet from the Knoxville Symphony helped set a lovely mood. They are, from left, Diane Zelickman, John Michael Fox, Ihsan Kartal and Jennifer Bloch.

Here are Mary Coulter, left, and Jane Venable with Alan.

Here are Mary Coulter, left, and Jane Venable with Alan.

I fell absolutely in love with this antique china in the kitchen. Scott Bishop of Westwood Antiques decorated the room.

I fell absolutely in love with this antique china in the kitchen. Scott Bishop of Westwood Antiques decorated the room.

Here is a closeup of the pretty dogwood pattern which I was told was produced in occupied Japan back in the 1940s.

Here is a closeup of the pretty dogwood pattern which I was told was produced in occupied Japan back in the 1940s.

Sally McFalls and Stefani Hopson designed the veranda, which opens onto a beautiful wooded view.

Sally McFalls and Stefani Hopson designed the veranda, which opens onto a beautiful wooded view.

I had to touch these lush hydrangeas just to be sure they were real!

I had to touch these lush hydrangeas just to be sure they were real!

Sheena McCall, left, posed with Rachel and Terry Ford on the veranda. Rachel is executive director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and does a fantastic job.

Sheena McCall, left, posed with Rachel and Terry Ford on the veranda. Rachel is executive director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and does a fantastic job.

Peggy and XXXXXX Wilson pause for a photo.

Peggy and Joe Wilson pause for a photo.

Designer Shelly Laux was responsible for this guest bedroom.

Designer Shelly Laux was responsible for this guest bedroom.

From left, Sam Young, Mary Sue Greiner, Mary Kay Greiner and Michael Greiner. Siblings Mary Sue and Michael work for the Knoxville Symphony.

From left, Sam Young, Mary Sue Greiner, Mary Kay Greiner and Michael Greiner. Siblings Mary Sue and Michael work for the Knoxville Symphony.

Alan's favorite room was the laundry room because it also was the dog's area. We have a weakness for animals. Janet Greer was responsible for this room.

Alan's favorite room was the laundry room because it also was the dog's area. We have a weakness for animals. Janet Greer was responsible for this room.

Volunteer Tricia Kilgore of Koko Fit Club welcomed guests to another guest bedroom. This one was designed by Paige Stephens.

Volunteer Tricia Kilgore of Koko Fit Club welcomed guests to another guest bedroom. This one was designed by Paige Stephens.

Harold and Theresa Stone

Harold and Theresa Stone

Designer Carol Hudson poses by the aviary featured in yet another bedroom which she furnished in the house.

Designer Carol Hudson poses by the aviary featured in a bedroom that she furnished.

Every Symphony Show House features a piano. This one is in the music room designed by Wolfgang H. Schaber and Diane D. Dalton.

Every Symphony Show House features a piano. This one is in the music room designed by Wolfgang H. Schaber and Diane D. Dalton.

Alan and our friend Susan Seymour

Alan and our friend Susan Seymour

We peeked out the upstairs window to see the partiers below. Those two cars also are for sale.

We peeked out the upstairs window to see the partiers below. Those two cars also are for sale.

We went downstairs and grabbed a shot of Betsey Bush, left, and her daughter, Sarah Nuckolls, in the buffet line.

We went downstairs and grabbed a shot of Betsey Bush, left, and her daughter, Sarah Nuckolls, in the buffet line.

The turkey sandwiches on sweet potato biscuits really got Alan's attention.

The turkey sandwiches on sweet potato biscuits really got Alan's attention.

I know this photo looks blurry, but it's the smoke rising from these awesome twice-stuffed new potatoes. Rex Bradford Jones was the caterer. The "League Ladies" love him and it's easy to see why.

I know this photo looks blurry, but it's the smoke rising from these awesome twice-stuffed new potatoes. Rex Bradford Jones was the caterer. The "League Ladies" love him and it's easy to see why.

Kent and Susan Farris taking a break to grab a bite.

Kent and Susan Farris taking a break to grab a bite.

It's funny how just a sprinke of spring-colored candy corn can transform a plate of bite-sized desserts.

It's funny how just a sprinkle of spring-colored candy corn can transform a plate of bite-sized desserts.

Alan and Dr. Bill Laing were admiring each other's jacket. They both bought them at John H. Daniel.

Alan and Dr. Bill Laing were admiring each other's jacket. They both bought them at John H. Daniel.

Don't miss the gift shop! Mother's day is coming up, you know!

Don't miss the gift shop! Mother's day is coming up, you know!

Sue Whittle, left, and Pat Jobe, along with Charleene Edwardds, are in charge of the gift shop.

Sue Whittle, left, and Pat Jobe, along with Charleene Edwards, are in charge of the gift shop.

Many gift items, like this pig, have musical themes.

Many gift items, like this pig, have musical themes.

Wow. A violin lamp.

Wow. A violin lamp.

A violin purse

A violin purse

Another violin purse

Another violin purse

Some items are just fun!

Some items are just fun!

Thanks to Kim Davis, left, and Julia Shiflett who were chairs of the preview party. Great job, ladies!

Thanks to Kim Davis, left, and Julia Shiflett who were chairs of the preview party. Great job, ladies!

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5 Responses to Symphony Show House is open — and it’s a looker!

  1. Annette Winston, on April 30th, 2012 at 8:49 pm said:

    Went yesterday with my second mother, Becky Winston. We loved it. Such a beautiful home. My favorite was the veranda!

  2. Gay lyons, on May 1st, 2012 at 7:49 am said:

    I can see why you loved the antique china. Very pretty!

  3. Lauren Christ, on May 1st, 2012 at 10:52 am said:

    I agree with Gay; now that I see the china, I understand why you’re so tempted to get it. I love it!

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on May 1st, 2012 at 4:37 pm said:

    Gay and Lauren: That china seems so perfect here in Knoxville, doesn’t it? Annette: So glad you and your second mother had fun. Sometimes a couple of girlfriends and I go over and have lunch and then tour the house. It’s fun to do it that way.The weather is great for it right now.

  5. Pingback:KSO Show House 2012

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