People's Choice Award winner named for Designer Showhouse

Jennifer Perez, an interior design associate with R. Ward Lariscy Inc., was honored at the Symphony Guild's annual luncheon with the prestigious People's Choice Award for her work in this year's Symphony Designer Showhouse. Perez's work in the traditionally themed master bedroom was a hit with Showhouse viewers. "The master bedroom in the traditional condo has so many regal characteristics to it," said Eleanor Maxwell, Showhouse treasurer. "The hints of gold used throughout the room really caught my eye; it gave the mostly recycled furniture some pizazz." Although the room is considered traditional, Perez imagined she was designing the space for a couple of young New York city hipsters. "The room is designed for a fictional young couple who have recently moved to Jacksonville from NYC," Perez said. "I wanted the room to appeal to their Fifth Avenue style while acknowledging their coastal surroundings."

Think Custom

When I was searching for furniture to pull together an art deco feel for the 2009 showhouse, I had a difficult time finding bedside pieces that had a glamorous look and feel without exceeding my budget. What I did instead, was find a nightstand that I liked and had it customized into a beautiful period piece. I added the gold trim; crystal knobs; and I had a reclaimed bathroom vanity in honey oynx cut down to size for the top. In the end it was the perfect piece for the space.

The bed was another piece in the room that I customized to create a look. I found this bed through one of our vendors at R. Ward Larsicy, Inc. I loved the shape of the head and footboards and I especially loved the double canopy but otherwise the bed was too hard and cold for my space. But, with a vision in mind I ordered the bed anyway. I sent it to my upholsterer where I had him add the fabric panels to the head and footboards. With the fabric and my sketches in hand, he was able to create this beautiful bed that added a lot of warmth and grandeur to the space.

A Model in Horse Country

This is a model that my partner and I designed while at a previous firm, for a beautiful golf course community just outside of Ocala, Fl,.

Because the area is a great spot for retirement age, I decided that the design should lean more toward that focus group. But, in keeping with the times, I added a couple of contemporary elements to give it a more updated look. For instance the chairs at the table and the dishes lend itself more toward a modern look while the rest of the furniture is of a traditional design.

The living room features a tufted sofa with an elegant cut velvet damask.

The relief room above the sofa was custom framed with a hand painted matte to work with the color scheme of cool blues and greens.

Moving in to the kitchen, I added a rich amber color to the pallet. My inspiration was a tile detail that is found along the back wall and tracing the island. I also deepened the soft blue by transitioning it into a nice shade of aqua.

This model sold immediately and is no longer available for viewing.

J. H. Perez in the Florida Times Union

Symphony Showhouse is a Hibbard family affair
Parents and daughter all part of fundraiser for Symphony Guild

Story updated at 8:27 AM on Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2009

The Jacksonville Symphony Guild’s 34th Designer Showhouse along the Ortega River has become an extraordinary event for the Hibbard family. That’s because longtime volunteers Sandi and Bill Hibbard will be joined with their designer daughter, Jennifer Perez, taking part in the Showhouse.

The Hibbards are thrilled to be contributing to the Showhouse concurrently. They hope to play a strong role in another successful Designer Showhouse, which opens in May at Ortega Landing and Marina.For 15 years, Sandi Hibbard has dedicated her time to the Jacksonville Symphony Guild. She has been involved in a variety of activities such as the Educational Committee’s Instrument Zoo and frequent classroom visits designed to supplement music education to local schools.Sandi Hibbard has been manager of the Designer Showhouse Boutique for 10 years.

“We’re really excited about this year’s Showhouse because it’s just a wonderful location along the Ortega River. In fact, we’re calling the annual boutique the 'Boatique’ in keeping with the nautical theme,” Sandi Hibbard said.Bill Hibbard, Sandi’s husband, works as the technical support for the Designer Showhouse boutique. He installs and maintains the computers for the boutique. He also designed the software that tracks daily sales and provide accurate cumulative financial reports. Bill Hibbard has a passion for volunteer work, loves to converse with guests and is always on hand if anything arises with which he can assist.

Jennifer Perez, Sandi and Bill Hibbard’s daughter, will also contribute to the 34th Jacksonville Symphony Guild’s Designer Showhouse. She was previously a student designer at the Springfield Showhouse. Perez, a design associate for R. Ward Lariscy, will be designing one of the master bedrooms.

Outside the Symphony Guild, the Hibbards can be found giving their time and talent to a number of organizations throughout Jacksonville. Sandi Hibbard has been involved with the Garden Club since 1978 and is currently serving as president of the Hidden Oaks Gardens Circle. Sandi Hibbard also serves as a precinct manager during elections.Bill Hibbard is president of the Neighborhood Waterway Association, where he maintains the canals in local neighborhoods. He works as a systems designer for Ja-Ru Inc., where he runs the data processing division.Perez is an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers. She is also a member of an interior design board with Florida Community College at Jacksonville and has volunteered with past Showhouses and the Guild’s Instrument Zoo.

Over its three-decade history, the Jacksonville Symphony Designer Showhouse has raised close to $5 million in total net proceeds, with an additional $3.5 million of in-kind donations. The fundraiser also exposes local talent through the designers and their firms.The 34th Jacksonville Symphony Guild’s Designer Showhouse is at the Ortega Landing and Marina from Saturday, May 16, to Sunday, June 7. For more information, visit

2009 Symphony Showhouse

Come visit me at the 2009 Symphony Showhouse at Ortega Landing. I have designed the master suite in the traditional unit.

I was inspired to design a room that would appeal to both sexes by creating a maculine space with femanine touches.

For information on the Showhouse please visit http://www.jaxsymphonyshowhouse.com/

Also, don't forget to stop in at the showhouse boutique at the end of the tour to find some beautiful inspirational pieces for your own home.

A Vacation in Florida

I recently finished a home in South Florida that I have been working on for the past three years. This is a project that I began with my partner at our previous firm before coming to Ward Lariscy, Inc. The project started with a beautiful lot overlooking marsh land in an exclusive golf course community along the Atlantic ocean. The clients wanted this second home to be minimalistic and cozy.

This photo is of the living room overlooking the clients lanai. I just added the artwork along the large wall. I found these four limited addition etchings of botanicals in England which added the right amount of softness to the room.



Moving into the master suite, I left the blues behind and brought in a beautiful pallet of sage and gold. My inspiration was the plaid fabric on the bed that I also added to the lounge chairs at the bay window.

I added warmth with the dark cherry woods throughout the space and splotches of white to add the crisp spatan look that was desired.

The beautiful custom bedding was produced by Workroom Solutions in Jacksonville, FL.