By KRISTINA HACKER

The property is a traditional, two-story home, more than 3,700 s.f., built in 1939 for the family of Dr. Sidney Olson. Dr. Olson, a prominent community member, had his office in the home with a separate side entrance for patients. The Olson family owned and occupied the home until 2017.

The current homeowners are a family of five: Dad is a real estate broker and former mayor of Turlock. Mom is also a real estate agent, a certified yoga instructor and member of numerous charitable boards and committees.

The current homeowners want to preserve the history and traditional character of the home, while updating it to reflect their interest in design and healthy living. They would like to create an environmentally-conscious home incorporating sustainable design elements and green materials wherever possible.

The Carnegie Arts Center has been bringing the works of artists from around the region — and the world — to Turlock since its reopening in 2011. In its inaugural Designer Show House, the Carnegie is now bringing over a dozen artists to town to work on one project together.

Eighteen designers, landscape architects and local artisans are working to transform a classic 1939 Turlock home into a showplace and the public is invited to view their hard work, while supporting the Carnegie Arts Center.

The inaugural Carnegie Designer Show House will be held April 21 through May 6, with a Gala Preview event scheduled for April 20. This will be the first show house fundraiser held by the arts center, but according to event committee member Jeani Ferrari, the project has already received an outpouring of support by the community.

“There are so many local and regional artists to highlight…I’m so impressed with how generous people are,” she said.

Interior designer Wendy Glaister said she grew up going to the Community Hospice show houses in Modesto and now she has the opportunity for the first time be part of a show house herself.

Glaister and her partner Brenda Groteguth are designing the dining room in the Turlock show house. When deciding what direction to go in, Glaister said she drew inspiration from the architecture of the house itself.

“I wanted to bring the happiness of the house inside,” she said.

Many of the details of the house will be repeated in her design, such as the herringbone pattern of the tile and the bobbin staircase.

Glaister is also drawing upon the expert artisans she works with on a regular basis, such as Hickory Chair and fifth generation family business Kravet Inc.

“We have many long-term relationships and everybody we love to work with generously came together to support this project,” she said.

The Carnegie project will also be the first show house experience for designer Dani Boyd.

“I thought it was a very good opportunity to be creative, to design for the fun of it and most importantly to help with the fundraising. I like supporting the Carnegie Arts Center,” said Boyd.

She will be designing a multi-purpose room into a laundry/office/mini yoga studio. Boyd said she chose this room because she thought she could reflect what her life is actually like, juggling kids, work and personal goals.

Her vision for the room is something “easy on the eye, relaxing, but also interesting, with a few elements that will make people talk.”

Sonoma County artist Elan Evans is a show house veteran, having participated in eight show homes in San Francisco and one in Napa. The Central Valley native is excited, though, to have her work displayed in a more accessible home.

She will be decorating the entryway and stairs using her new line of hand painted and die cut wall covering.

“I’m a decorative painter who recently joined the rank of wallpaper manufacturers. I wanted to make wallpaper that is hand painted,” Evans said.

She uses a die cutting and overlay process to create a multi-dimensional product.

Her vision for the Carnegie home entryway is “jewel boxy, but not too serious; playful, pretty and formal.”

“This house has a lot of charm. I’m letting the house be itself and not recreating it architecturally,” Evans said.

She said she’s excited that people will get a chance to get up close and touch her wallpaper.

Other designers include: Digs, Jeani Ferrari Design, TRC/Torre Reich, Suite 52, Donna Lazar, Chris Johnson, Jaureguy's Design & Construction, Gallery Finesse, The Greenery, Paige Crowell, Ann Endsley and Green’s, Turlock Garden Club, Green Horizon Landscaping, Farm House Exchange, Off Center Thrift and Gift and Pageo Lavender Farm.

6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. April 20

$60 for Carnegie members
$75 for nonmembers
Sample from some of the region's most unique chefs, winemakers and brewers while you enjoy an exclusive first look at the creative work of innovative and influential interior designers, landscape architects, craftsmen and artists. Food and beverages provided by Bistro 234, The Grand Cru, Dancing Coyote Winery and more. Music by the Joe Mazzaferro Trio.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily April 21 through May 6

$25 for Carnegie members
$30 for nonmembers
Tickets will be available at the door or online.

5 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 3

$40 for Carnegie members
$45 for nonmembers
During the one-night only Twilight Tour you are invited to explore the creative designs throughout the show house while enjoying a glass of champagne and light snacks. Tickets are limited.
* The Carnegie Show House is located at 1129 Sierra Dr., Turlock