The bus rolled along a narrow gravelly path on Monte Vista Road in Cashiers and took groups of admiring fans to a large house serving as this year’s Designer’s Showhouse exhibit.
People meandered around all day Friday, Aug. 23 as the exhibit opened – admiring its wide open space, ornate furniture and lushly decorated rooms, along with a large outside area with numerous patio structures.
The event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Cashiers Historical Society. Maggie Elmer, volunteer coordinator and co-chair with the event, said it’s a “great way” for locals to show interest and also just see interesting properties, of which there are different ones showcased every year.
“We’re very excited to let a lot of people see this beautiful home,” she said. “It’s a very unique property. It’s seven acres in the heart of Cashiers.”
The bus came and went from the Village Green all day ferrying people to the house and then back. Many women came in groups and said it was something they do every year.
“We love the creativity of the designs… you’re not going to believe it, but I like this better than last year. This is unique. The way they’ve done the oak sidings is amazing,” visitor Raquel Murphy said.
“We come every year,” one of Murphy’s companions added.
Showhouse Chair Cheryl Stanzione said she was glad the annual event was going as planned.
“It’s just designed to be open, so many people can appreciate it,” she said.
Elmer said there were many items for sale in the house, and the house itself was up for sale as well. A percentage of the sale of the items will benefit the Historical Society. There was also art on sale from Atlanta-based Gregg Irby gallery, which a representative said was “making the garage a pretty place.”
The environment was overall cordial and people milled in and out of rooms at a leisurely pace.
“I used to be an interior designer in Houston,” one visitor, Jane Schwarz said. “I retired and now I live outside of Asheville.”
She helped her friend Ellen Davis, who was also in Cashiers on Friday, with her home when Davis also lived in Houston years ago. Then when Davis also moved to the Western North Carolina area, and the two now spend time together as friends, coming to the Designer’s Showhouse every year.
“It’s fun,” Davis said. “It’s an annual day we do. Every year the houses are different, it’s fun to see what’s out there.”
“It’s always beautiful,” Schwarz agreed. “Then we go to lunch after.”