Hi, Bloomies! And welcome to another segment of Design Friday. This week we are featuring a fabulous, charitable project by Melissa Rieke of Melissa Rieke Photography. Melissa has paired with the Kansas City Symphony Alliance to work on their 44th Symphony Designers’ Showhouse. 

The Kansas City Symphony Alliance is a nonprofit volunteer organization promoting an interest in classical music throughout the Kansas City area. They focus on the Kansas City Symphony’s programming, as well as youth concerts and activities. The Alliance contributes to the symphony through volunteerism, social activities, and educational and fund-raising projects. The group’s main fund-raising project is the Symphony Designers’ Showhouse, which is now in its 44th year.

After Melissa asked us to sponsor some frames for her room design, we decided to tune in and find out what this awesome project was all about. Here is what Melissa had to say:

About The Showhouse - The Kansas City Symphony Alliance sponsors the Symphony Designers’ Showhouse each year to raise money for the KC Symphony and Youth Programs. To date, they have raised over $5 million for their cause. The Alliance (formerly the Junior Women’s Symphony Alliance and the Friends of the Symphony) hosts the country’s longest-running, continuous, Showhouse fundraising project. They invite designers to choose and decorate a room or space in the house or on the property. The designers generously do so at their own expense. They open in April of each spring and invite the public to see what the local designers have done. This year they’re expecting 10,000 visitors to the home! The home is also featured on many local news stations and is scouted for some top design magazines and online sources.

About My Design - This year, I decided I would take a chance at designing a room and submitting a proposal. I went to the preview days for the designers intent on choosing a hallway to showcase my images. However, I quickly realized I truly wanted to feature my newborn photography exclusively. Then, I walked into the room I knew I was meant to design. So much light, so airy, so perfect. I knew it had to be a nursery! So, if you know me, you know I love two thing. White, white, white…and pops of bright colors! As you can imagine, I had a hard time deciding between the two. But, in the end, if you know me really well, you know I went with the white on white on cream on white! And I am in HEAVEN! I had the most beautiful little lady in the studio not long after I viewed the space. I set up two “sets” for her, which I used as the basis for my room design.

 I knew, of course, from the beginning I definitely had to use The Organic Bloom Frames. I love their whimsical design! White with brown glaze was the perfect combo to feature these beautiful images. It fell right into place with the rest of my design.

Thank you so much, Melissa, for sharing this wonderful project! We love the motivation behind the Alliance, as well as your fabulous design so far. We cannot wait to see the finished product.

Here are a few more photos of what Melissa has been working on:

Before:

Melissa’s progress so far:

Can you believe the progress she has made? This room is now a nursery fit for a little princess. Such a beautiful job, Melissa! And so inspiring! We can’t thank you enough for sharing. To find out more about Melissa’s experience with the Showhouse, feel free to mosey over to her blog!

Be sure to check back next Friday for another Design Friday feature. We have a feeling you’ll want to come back before then, though. Say, maybe Monday? For our Fun Frame Monday giveaway? We thought so. See you then!

- Team Bloom