Photographs provided by Diane Bishop

Above: The foundation of the Philadelphia Magazine 2010 Design Home

For those that will be in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area in September, 2010, get out your iPhone and make a note to visit the Philadelphia Magazine 2010 Design Home. Located on Gypsy Hill Road in Lower Gwynedd Township, this 12,000 square foot home is being built by Philomeno and Salamone, one of the area’s most revered builders, and will also include a pool and outdoor living space.

As we know, the crowning glory of any home is top-notch design and an impeccable eye for detail, with this home being no exception. Diane Bishop, ASID, Interior designer, owner of Diane Bishop Interiors, and Ava Living member, has been selected as the designer for the 2010 home. With over 20 years of experience that includes model home design and residential interiors, a diverse portfolio of work, and a talented team of designers, Diane Bishop is sure to produce an unforgettable home.

Diane Bishop speaks with Ava Living:

Congratulations on being selected as the designer for the 2010 designer home! How did you first hear about the opportunity?

Thank you! We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting project. Over the past 20+ years, I have had the opportunity to design scores of model homes and offices for a number of the area's premier builders and have gained a reputation for the quality and imagination of my work. This project came about when we recently had the pleasure of working with Philomeno and Salamone on a doctor's office that they were building. Through that relationship, I was asked if I would be interested in taking part in the 2010 Design Home. After meeting with Sherry Litwer, the Design Home project manager, I was pleased to learn that Philadelphia Magazine felt that Diane Bishop Interiors would be a great fit for the 2010 Home.

Above left to right: Diane Bishop, Owner Diane Bishop Interiors;
Sherry Litwer, Design Home Project Manager at Philadelphia Magazine

Had you been to visit the Philadelphia Magazine Design House in the past? 

I have been to this many times in the past and it is always a very special experience as I can always count on seeing the latest technology and styles. Also, I always enjoy seeing the work of other talented designers.

With the house being 12,000 square feet, you have a lot of space to work with. Can you give us an idea of how the house will be laid out and what the overall theme will be for the interiors? 

We are intent on designing this home to be both elegant and warm. Since it is being designed for a family of six, the look will be very specific, and we are making sure that we give purpose and style to every space in the home. The overall design will be classic, with a contemporary twist. Every room will draw you in and invite you to take a closer look. I am confident that this house will really feel like home once it is complete.

Do you have a list of products and art pieces already in the works for the home? If so, how will these compare with prior years?

We will be working with select sponsors through Philadelphia Magazine. Many of these sponsors have provided excellent services and products for us in the past, and some of them have also worked with Philadelphia Magazine on the Design Home in previous years. It’s very exciting to have these talented people as resources for the home, and we are excited to see what they have to offer for this new project!

Above left to right: Lindsay Quinn, Senior Designer at Diane Bishop Interiors;
Jacqueline Arnold, Senior Designer at Diane Bishop Interiors; Diane Bishop, Owner Diane Bishop Interiors;Jocelyn Philomeno, In-house Designer at Philomeno & Salamone

In addition to the interiors, there are also plans for an outdoor living space with a pool. Is your team handling these elements as well? 

We will be assisting with the selection of the hard surfaces and also with the outdoor furniture. The focus on the outdoor pieces will be comfort and function, much like what we are doing with the interiors.

When will the home be open to the public for tours?

The dates for this will be September 10 to October 10, 2010, and the Design Home will be open for tours on Thursday from 12pm – 8pm, and Friday through Monday from 11am – 4pm.  It will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  

What charity will this be benefiting and what are the plans for the completed home once the tours are through?

100% of the ticket sales from the tours will go to the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, and the completed home will be sold once the tours are done.

The Ronald McDonald House was founded in Philadelphia in 1974 in order to provide a home away from home for the families of critically ill children. The first home near The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has served as a model for nearly 300 houses throughout the world. There are two houses in the Philadelphia area, a camp in the Poconos, and family rooms at the Children’s Hospital. 

These families are offered an array of supportive services at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House from home cooked meals to trained social workers. No one is ever turned away if they don’t the financial resources to pay, or otherwise. 

Where is the best place to keep updated on the progress of the home?

I will be updating our progress on the Design Home project regularly in my newsletter, on my blog, Facebook page, and also on my website. Information will also be available online by mid-April at www.phillymag.com, and approximately 75 pages of Philadelphia Magazine will be dedicated to the Design Home between June and October.

Written by Ehren Seeland

Diane Bishop has been in the design business since 1988 and established Diane Bishop Interiors in 2003 to pursue her unique style of interior design. At the outset of her career, Diane focused primarily on model homes for the area's leading new homebuilders. Diane has expanded her business to include residential design and has been doing both since 1998.

Diane's work has been featured in the Montgomery County Town, Country Living Magazine, and various Delaware Valley news publications.

For more than 20 years, it has been my privilege to help homeowners realize the potential of their homes. —Diane Bishop

Diane is an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bluffton University.

To contact Diane Bishop:
Diane Bishop Interiors
46 West Skippack Pike, Broad Ax, PA 19002
Phone: (215) 619-2999
Email: dbidesign3@verizon.net
Website: http://www.dianebishopinteriors.com
Blog: http://www.dianebishopinteriors.blogspot.com

For more travel info, visit the Philadelphia City Guide