Bucks County Designer House & Gardens

What is the Bucks County Designer House?
It is a fundraiser run by the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown (V.I.A) to support Doylestown Hospital and V.I.A.
Community Projects. A spacious home is made available by a homeowner and it is completely redecorated by interior designers
and landscapers and then opened to the public for tours.

What is the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown?
The V.I.A. organization, with a membership of more than 400 women, is nationally recognized as the only women’s club in the
country to own and operate a community hospital. The Designer House committee, consisting of more than 60 V.I.A. members,
work for the greater part of a full year attending to the myriad details involved in organizing this fundraiser. Designer House
Committee meetings are held monthly beginning in October through the month preceding the opening of the house.

Who benefits from this project?
Doylestown Hospital is the principle beneficiary. The V.I.A. also allocates some of the profits to V.I.A. community projects.

How often is the Bucks County Designer House held?
Since 1978, it has been held every spring. The original venture took place in 1971 at Wheelbarrow Hill in Holicong. Click here
for information about Past Houses.

How many people tour?
In recent years 8,000 to 10,000 people visit the house during the four weeks that it is open. A majority of the visitors are from
Eastern Pennsylvania and others visit from New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Delaware.

How will the proceeds be divided this year?
Beginning in 2011 the V.I.A. has made a $1 million multi-year pledge toward the Birthing Center at Doylestown Hosptial.
Proceeds from the 2011 house contributed $200,000 toward this goal. In addition to supporting the hospital, funds from this
year's house will be used to support several V.I.A. intiatives that support Bucks County families in need, women pursuing
careers, and community-wide benefitting efforts. Funds are also used to maintain the James-Lorah Memorial Home which is
listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

How can I be involved in the Designer House?
The Designer House Committee is entirely composed of V.I.A. members. Information about joining the V.I.A. may be obtained
by calling 215-345-2347 or by Contacting Us.

How may I volunteer?
C ontact us to volunteer. Many individuals and groups serve as hosts and hostesses at the house and staff the Designer House
Boutique or Café. There is always a need for additional volunteers; interested individuals; community service groups and
organizations; and high school or college students.

How is a property to be used as a Designer House found each year?
Generally, realtors provide leads or a homeowner offers a property. A Designer House sub-committee makes the final selection
after visiting and evaluating available properties.

I would like to have my house considered as a Designer House. What is involved?
The Designer House has sole possession of the property from early March until early June. Many houses chosen for the project
are vacant when they are selected. If the owners are in residence, they remove all their possessions and vacate the house during
this period. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to find alternate living and storage arrangements. The homeowner may
stipulate that certain aspects of the house must remain in their original condition. Designers and Landscapers will use their
discretion to make other decorative changes to the house. Permanent changes may be made with the owner’s permission.

Prospective houses are always being sought–especially spacious houses with more than one staircase to ease traffic flow and
with grounds to accommodate parked cars and scheduled events. Contact Us if you would like your house to be considered.

What happens to the house when the event ends?
The house reverts back to the owners, enhanced by new paint, wallpaper and many other improvements which have been
made. Owners may choose to buy designer furnishings or landscaping at a reduced cost. If the house is for sale, the real estate
agent continues to market the property.

How are the interior designers and landscapers selected?
A large mailing is sent out inviting interior designers and landscapers in the area to preview the house and grounds on
designated dates. Each designer submits a color board, sketch and written description for his/her first room choice, and also
indicates two alternate choices. Each landscaper requests an area by listing, in order of preference, his/her three choices and
submitting a plan. A sub-committee makes the final assignments. Experienced designers and landscapers may Contact Us to be
considered.

How much time is allotted to designers and landscapers to prepare their areas at the Designer House before it
opens?
Designers and Landscapers view the rooms and outdoor areas in the autumn to begin their design plans. They are invited back
in early January to take measurements of the assigned spaces. Then, they will have approximately eight weeks from the time
the committee takes possession of the house in early March to make all of the design changes before house opens in late April or
early May.

What responsibilities do Designers and Landscapers have?
They are expected to provide design plans to the committee, and order/install all materials. They must seek permission from
the homeowner for any permanent changes. Once the house tours end, the designers and landscapers remove all furniture and
decorative items that have not sold or been purchased by the homeowner.

How does the Designer House benefit designers and landscapers?
It showcases their talents and introduces their “look” to the public. Designers are given the opportunity to sell the furniture and
decorative items used in their rooms, and landscapers to sell the planted materials and garden accessories.

Call (215) 345-2191 or Contact Us for additional Information.

About the Bucks County Designer House & Gardens

Benefits Doylestown Hospital and the Mission of the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown - a 501 (C) 3 organization