Sharon McCormick, Allied Member ASID, owner of Fairchild House Interiors, 40 Main Street in Durham is honored to be designing the family room of the Kinderwood designer showhouse in Ridgefield.

The showhouse runs until Oct. 23, and is for the benefit of the good friend program of Green Chimneys, a mentoring program for disadvantaged children. The house is an 8,800 square foot New England style carriage house with spectacular panoramic views. (More information is available at greenchimneys.org.)

As Joanne Threfall, showhouse chairman, describes the process: 'We began the Kinderwood project by searching for designers whose talent and dedication would ensure the greatest impact. The committee searched a waitlist of designers and selected la creme de la creme. The designers began creating spaces that are a true reflection of their talents.'

Sharon's design philosophy was to create a peaceful but striking haven. She involved a team of local talent to bring this design to reality. The Venetian plaster walls and ceiling mural were done by Patrick Ganino of Creative Evolution in Madison. The walls enhance a series of landscape paintings by Durham's own Terry Oakes Bourret. Aaron Keathley of Middlefield's Keathley Building and Remodeling created a custom fireplace screen. Finally, demi-lune and game tables as well as a kidney bean desk were handcrafted by Steve Antonellis of Hemlock Hollow Custom Fine Furniture. The top of one table alone includes over 400 pieces of inlay, and is a true work of art.

Custom upholstered furniture, window treatments, area rug and pillows create the room's sense of comfort, while a myriad of accessories provides the final touches. Sharon hopes to have many visitors from the Durham/Middlefield area.

The Showhouse, in a great coup, is also featuring a number of events, including presentations by renowned designers Jamie Drake and Eric Cohler, as well as 'The Prince of Chintz himself', Mario Buatta.