HGTV Comes to Stone Ridge

Home and Garden Television (HGTV), a cable network devoted to decorating and design, took over a pair of Stone Ridge townhouse’s last week to film a new show, Showhouse Showdown.

Two professional interior designers received identical budgets ($72,000) and the chance to create a winning interior design for two newly built, mirror image homes by Van Metre Homes.  In just one week, the two designers, Eric Kole (with Vastu DC ) and Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey (with SCW Interiors) transformed the two townhomes with their unique style.

Local craftsmen such as Chantilly’s  and BUHL Electric worked long hours with the designers to achieve their signature looks.

“It was hectic and challenging, but certainly worth it in the end,“ said Abe Agee, the construction manager for Eastern Applicators. In addition to the painting and drywall, Eastern Applicators worked on the in-wall fireplace in House A that received many favorable comments. 

Once the design work was finished, the community was invited to come and take a look at the results. The first 100 people were given ballots to vote for their favorite house and give feedback.

Two women were in line at 6 a.m., hours before the tours started. When the filming did ultimately start, nearly 400 people were ready to see the house (and possibly be interviewed for the show).

Van Metre Homes and Stone Ridge Community also hosted a block party for all attendees and neighbors.  Hamburgers and hot dogs were served hot off the grill, and moon bounces and balloon animals were on site for the kids.

Jessi and Richard Roberts were waiting to see the houses with their two children. They live in the neighborhood, but had no idea what was going on and came to investigate. Jessi is a self-described “design freak” and was very excited to see how these designers approached the homes.

Terry Trebling of Florida just recently bought an end unit townhome on the same block as the model homes. “What a great memory of my new home” she said.  Also in line with Trebling was Lindsay Reisinger of Herndon who wanted to see if she could find decorating ideas she could use.

Bob ("Bachelor Bob") Guiney is the host of the new show and spent time with the crowd taking pictures. Running through the introductions and opening script required a few takes because of the airplanes overhead, but then it was time to see the designers work.

After a tour of the first house (designed by Kole), Dina Andrews of Ashburn said she felt the look was “sterile“ and did not feel inviting.  

With a different point of view was Hannah Graeff. Young Hannah watches the HGTV shows regularly (“14 hours a day,” she joked). She asked her parents to bring her from Charles Town, WV so she could participate. Her discerning eye preferred the first house with its clean lines and use of mirrors.

Hannah and Andrews disagreed on the second house, too. Andrews felt that the second home, designed by Cavin-Winfrey, was more "homey" and very extravagant. She could see herself living there.

Hannah, on the other hand, was overwhelmed by Cavin-Winfrey’s use of green, “lots of green”. She also felt the furniture was too big and out-of-scale with the house.

They both voted for their favorite house along with the other ballot holders. While the crowd stayed and taped the reveal for the winner, no one really knows who won the showdown.  The reveal was taped twice, once for each designer. Everyone will have to tune in to the show to see who actually won.

The next show will be filmed in Wilmington, DE. The Showhouse Showcase will premier in August on HGTV. This episode is expected to air in late September.

The two “famous” showhouses will be auctioned off by Van Metre Homes. The auction bidding ends July 24. The houses will also be available to tour during regular open house hours. Contact Bonita Harbarger, Community Sales Manager (bharbarger@VanMetreHomes.com) or the Van Metre Homes website for more information.