Macon non-profit announces 2016’s design house

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – One Macon non-profit is revitalizing a house in the heart of the city that some call the most ambitious project to date. 

The fixer-upper on Calhoun Street is getting a major flip. 

“This will be a really, really unique place in Macon,” Historic Macon Executive Director Ethiel Garlington said.

He pointed out the once blighted house is the new design house for 2016. 

“This year we continued that trend and actually took one of our properties that we’ve been working on and made it into that show house, that design house as we call it,” Garlington said. 

Recruited designers will transform 12 spaces in the 2,000 square foot property and create unique areas for people to see. 

“They’re going to be showing designs that are accesible. So they’ll bring in their own flare but also elements that will make it feel authentic and fitting for this neighborhood,” Susannah Maddux, the co-chair of the Design, Wine and Dine festival in Macon, said. 

“From head to toe on these rooms these designers have their touch,” Garlington added. 

The executive director is aiming for the project is finished in time for the festival — where the house will serve as ‘home base’ for events throughout the week. 

“We’ve had a lot of show houses over the years that get sold during that period when people are coming through for tours,” Garlington pointed out. 

After the festival, he says the non-profit plans on selling the house so someone can live inside. 

A revitalization he calls a special project for the city. 

Garlington says it’s too early to put a price tag on the house, but tells 41NBC the non-profit is paying for the renovations. The project is expected to finish by mid-June. 

For more information on the Design, Wine and Dine festival, head to designwinedine.org