The Junior League of Miami debuted its 2018 showhouse at the Deering Estate in Cutler/Palmetto Bay, giving a slew of talented interior designers free reign to redecorate the interiors of the historic structure. Debuting with a gala opening, the showhouse was open to visitors from April 15th to 29th.
The Deering Estate
The 444-acre Deering Estate is an environmental, archaeological and historical preserve and the former Florida home of Chicago industrialist Charles Deering. The estate celebrates 30 years of being on the National Register of Historic Places and its original three buildings were constructed in 1900.
Deering lived at the estate from 1922 to 1927, during which time it consisted of a three-story wooden house built in 1900, known as the Richmond Cottage, and a three story mansion dubbed the Stone House, built in Mediterranean Revival style. Other buildings were later built on the property to serve as auxiliary buildings to the estate. His influence on art, architecture, and natural preservation lives on at the estate, which features original detailing in the Stone House such as bronze and copper-clad doors installed to contain any potential fires (he survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871), black and white checkered floor, coffered concrete ceilings, original art installations, and crystal chandeliers.
The Miami Showhouse, Junior League of Miami’s Leading Fundraiser
After a 30-year hiatus, the Junior League of Miami revived its fundraiser, The Miami Showhouse, in 2016 at The Kampong, a national historic landmark and one of five tropical gardens and three preserves of the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Designers of note included Mabley Handler Interior Design, Robert Rionda Interiors, The Gallery Interiors, and renowned landscape architects Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio and Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design.
All photos are courtesy Junior League of Miami/Blueprint22
