9/6/2012 - West Side Leader
     

WEST AKRON — Junior League of Akron (JLA) officials announced that a home on Ridgecrest Road in West Akron will be the site of the 2013 Designer ShowHouse event.

The Gaffney Estate, at 657 Ridgecrest Road, will now be opened to designers who would like to participate in the JLA’s signature event, which takes place every few years.

“There’s a lot of good things about this particular site,” said JLA President Jennifer Highfield. “Our last few sites have been historic and had a lot of historic relevance. This was built in the ’30s. but it’s not a restoration. It’s in fabulous condition. It just needs updating and some redecoration.”

She added the house is unoccupied and currently on the market.

Designers who are interested in seeing the home are invited to view it Sept. 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. or Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. During that time, designers will receive materials explaining the bidding process and requirements for participation in the event, JLA officials said.

JLA officials said the Designer ShowHouse event will take place May 4-19. The event allows the JLA to make a two-fold contribution to the community by showcasing innovative design and by raising funds to support projects that improve the lives of residents in the community, officials said.

Highfield said the Gaffney home features traditional spaces as well as a guest wing. The home has been remodeled several times, most recently in 1995, and now features a master suite with “an unbelievable walk-in closet and his-and-hers bathrooms,” Highfield said.

She added that the house is located in a beautiful neighborhood as well. Ridgecrest Road is parallel to and sits between Delaware Avenue and Merriman Road.

Designers are asked to register for the open houses by Sept. 17 to Susan Frerichs, JLA office manager, at 330-836-4905 or via email at jrleagueakron@sbcglobal.net.

For designers unable to attend either of the open houses, JLA officials said the house may be viewed by appointment.

Design concepts will be accepted at the JLA headquarters, 929 W. Market St., Oct. 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• West Side Real Estate News & Notes