Get Inspired With the Philly Design Home 2010

Home-ownership requires more than simply signing the paperwork and pocketing the keys. You have to decorate, landscape and ensure you are using the best quality products. And, of course, you want to keep up with your neighbors and be the envy of your friends. Head to Philadelphia magazine’s 2010 Design Home this weekend, and you’ll come away with ideas on how to bring the best of home design and decor to your very own front door.

The Design Home is an annual custom build showing off the latest and greatest by the area’s best builders, architects, and decorators. This year’s home is the product of powerhouses Philomeno & Salamone, Thomas R. Wittemann, AIA, and Diane Bishop Interiors.

This year’s ninth annual home is situated in Gwynedd Valley‘s desired Gray Fox Farm area, a 12,000-square-foot estate nestled on 4.5 acres.  Features include a gentlemen-worthy wood-paneled study, massive great room boating soaring two–story ceilings, state–of–the–art home theater perfect for family movie nights and a brilliant backyard with pool and sculpture garden.

The home is open to tours tomorrow through October 10. For an extra treat, plan your drop-in for a Thursday evening and enjoy wine and food pairings as you peruse. Doing some serious renovations? Visit during Design-a-Palooza on September 25 to attend seminars on everything from paint color selection to finding the perfect lighting concept. If your tastes trend green, head over on October 2 when experts will be on-hand to discuss rain harvesting, solar energy and other eco-friendly products.

Tickets are $20 and all proceeds benefit the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House. Visit www.phillymag.com for more information on the Design Home, or call 215.387.8431 or visit www.philarmh.org for tickets.