Show House Set To Open in Potomac

Show House Set To Open in Potomac
The finishing touches are being put on Chateau Peyrenc de Moras, the Potomac estate that has been selected for this year's National Symphony Orchestra Decorators Show House. More than 30 area decorators have applied their talents and visions to individual rooms in the residence.

This is the 32nd year for the NSO Decorators Show House tour, and it is the most successful fund-raiser for the group. According to Teresa Paul, "It raises about $300,000 each year. It's our biggest fund-raiser. We will have about 15,000 people come through during the month it's open. This is one of the oldest and biggest [show case homes] in the country."

Funds raised from the tour are applied to educational and community outreach programs for the National Symphony Orchestra.

"A lot of people come and look at the house to get decorating ideas for themselves. If you are in the market for a designer, it's a great place to see the work of 30 some designers all in one place," said Paul.

The home selected each year for the event must meet several demanding physical requirements. "It has to be at least 10,000 square feet and unoccupied for seven months. We find it's often a house that's for sale," said Paul.

Chateau Peyrenc de Moras is modeled after the Rodin Museum in Paris, France. It features twin flying staircases in the foyer