Get inspired at the SOTA House showcase
In a stately, sage-green Dutch Colonial on Greenleaf Street in West End Allentown, there’s inspiration around every corner.
From textured wallpaper accents to inviting landscaping, the home is the latest showcase for the Society of the Arts and marks the return of a much-loved event after a four-year hiatus.
An important fundraiser for the museum, the SOTA House event offers visitors the opportunity to tour the home, get inspired and take part in workshops and lectures. The home is SOTA’s 17th and the showcase will run April 30 to May 15.
Here’s what you need to know:
The details
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; closed Wednesdays; event runs April 30 to May 15.
Where: 2713 Greenleaf St. Allentown
About the house
The main attraction is the house itself, which was built in the 1920s and is owned by Marsha and Martin Heimann.
How this showcase works: The group finds a home that they can transform. Area designers and landscapers
are then given free rein to redesign the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Diane MacConnell, one of the event’s organizers, took us on a preview tour and here are a few things of note: Wallpaper: Nearly every room has some treatment with wallpaper and if something you always wanted to try, you are bound to find some ideas — from wallpaper that looks like tweed to dramatic black and gold paper that adds pop to a bathroom.
Quilting room: Surrounded by windows offering natural light, the quilting room is bound to
give you ideas. Even if you aren’t a quilter you can take inspiration from how the room is laid out and how the natural light is used for the quilter. (It’s a room that speaks to anyone who creates art.)
Outside spaces: Now that the weather is getting progressively better, there are pockets of true beauty throughout the yard that you’re sure to draw from. The front porch has warm pops of red that carry through and transition into the interior of the home, starting in the foyer.
Incredible lighting: The dining room, in particular,
has an incredible beautiful glass chandelier but there are pendant and accent lights throughout that help you decide how you’d like to add some lighting interest to your home.
The garage: If you love to upcycle or thrift shop, you’ll definitely want to check out the sale in the garage.
Things to do
The home will also host a variety of events during the two-week run including:
Garden Talks in “Greenleaf Gardens” (the backyard)
All 11 a.m. to noon
Thursday, May 5: Wandra Cain, “The Wonderful World of Color”
Saturday, May 7: Scott Rothenberger, “Tips and Tricks — Garden Container Planting with Style”
Monday, May 9, Priscilla Brennan — “Do You Want a Pollinator-Friendly Yard?”
Designer chats, featuring the interior designers in their spaces
1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 5 and May 12
Plein-air Painting
Mornings and afternoons each Saturday and Sunday during the Show House
Luncheon/Fashion Show — Lehigh Country Club
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 14 at the club, 2319 S Cedar Crest Blvd, Allentown
Food and drinks
This year’s event will feature craft beer tastings from Well Crafted Beer Company & HiJinx Brewing Company, 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 6. Singer Erin Kelly will perform and you can enjoy lawn games.
Along with the beer, you can eat at the Sticky Pig food truck, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through the event as well as 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 6.
Tickets and info
Show House ticket: $25 — single entrance to Show House and event held on day/time of entry
All-Access Pass ticket: $50 (+$15 for Beer Tasting Event supplement) — unlimited entrance to Show House & all events except the Luncheon/ Fashion Show. All-Access Pass includes: Garden Talks, Designer Chats, Beer Tasting Event with $15 supplement, Sticky Pig food truck, Pleinair Painting
Beer Tasting Event ticket: $40 — Greenleaf Garden Brews and Show House entrance -
Fashion Show/Luncheon ticket $75 (includes one entrance to Show House on day of choice)
Info, tickets: sotapa.org