The season of show houses starts now, with designers and the public invited to view the rooms of sprawling condos and storied estates endowed by designers with the best furniture, antiques and artwork their most loyal vendors can support—all in the name of charity. Below is a sampling of show houses opening this month in Chicago, D.C., Kansas City, Indianapolis, Atlanta, San Francisco and Baltimore.

Rendering of Jeannie Balsam's foyer design

DreamHome, Chicago—April 11 

This year, the Chicago DreamHome celebrates its 10th anniversary and brings to life the talents of six of Chicago’s top interior design firms who are DreamHome alumni. They include Tom Stringer, Jessica Lagrange, Kara Mann, Erik Kolacz, Jeannie Balsam and Susan Fredman. Each will transform a room in the home using the resources only available at the Design Center at the Merchandise Mart’s showrooms.

The show house will be open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. through December 7 in the North Lobby of the Merchandise Mart Plaza. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted for Almost Home Kids.

DC Design House, Washington, D.C.—April 13

The 2014 DC Design House has enlisted 29 designers and firms to transform a mansion in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Washington D.C.

Participating designers include Blake Dunlevy and Gina Benincasa for D&A Dunlevy Landscapers; Jim Rill and David Benton for Rill Architects; Camille Saum Interior Design; Marika Meyer Interiors; Nadia Subaran for Aidan Design; Victoria Sanchez Interiors; Joanne Fitzgerald for Gatega Interior Design; Stephen Wlodarczyk for Botanical Decorators; Cahill Design Build; Jeff Akseizer and Jamie Brown for Akseizer Design Group; Naseera Moore Lawrence and Nicolette Powell for Country Casual; Katherine Vernot-Jonas Designs; Nestor Santa-Cruz Decoration; Tracy Morris Interior Design; Kelley Interior Design; Susan Donelson and Sharon Bubenhofer for Cleveland Hall Design; Allie Mann and TJ Monahan for Case Design/Remodeling; Dennese Guadeloupe-Rojas for Interior by Design; Diane Taitt for De Space Design; Cindy McClure for Grossmueller’s Design Consultants; Nancy Colbert for Design Partners; Deborah Broockerd for Closet Factory; Chad Alan Designs; Melissa McLay Interiors; Doyle Interiors; Anne Wenzel Interiors; and Beth Boggs.

Interior designer Barry Dixon will host a special event on April 12 to present his C2 paint line and sign copies of his latest book at 2:00 p.m.

The show house is located at 4600 Linnean Avenue, NW and will be open to the public Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., through May 11. Admission is $25 and benefits the Children’s National Health System.

Symphony Designer’s Show House, Kansas City—April 25

The 45th annual Symphony Designer’s Show House will take place at the Jacobethan house in the Country Club District of Kansas City (1246 W. 59th Street).

This year’s participating designers and firms are Knapstein Design, LLC; Ethan Allen; John Rufenacht Associates, Inc.; The Design Gallery at Nebraska Furniture Mart; B.Y. Design; Décor by Design; Terrasi & Scandia Home; The Kelly Gallery; Jan Cummings for Johnson County Community College; Joan Melvin for Transform; Kacy Design Interiors, LLC; Susan Prestia for Interior Directions; Linville Designs; Erica Kay Interior Design; Lisa Freeman for Halings Greenhouse; Patrick Vogt for By the Blade Landscape Design; Doug Bringman for Nite Lites of Kansas City and Katie Ott of Kitchen Studio Kansas City.

On Wednesday, April 24, the show house will host its annual designer toast party with an official ribbon cutting for Kansas City Symphony Alliance members and guests.

The show house will be open to the public Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Sundays 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. through May 18.

Highlights from the 2013 Decorator's Show House and Gardens

Decorator’s Show House and Gardens, Indianapolis—April 26

For the 52nd consecutive year, the Decorator’s Show House and Gardens will benefit the St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild, and designers are eager to get their hands on the rooms they will be transforming.

This year’s designers and firms include David Gorden for Mark M. Holeman, Inc.; David Strohmeyer for The Empty Vase; Susan Colvin Interiors; Diana Chastain Interiors; Kalleen & Company; Debbie Parks Interiors; Hannah Ltd. Interior Design, LLC; LaKeyshia Beard for Elaborate Designs; J.D. Dick for Cabinetry Ideas; Julie Boutilier for Cornerstone Interiors; Kiefer Design Group, Inc.; Andrea Tremain Interior Design and Bloom Painting; Misch Bobrick Design, LLC; Lisa Hayes for Kittle’ Design Studios; Mary Sue Klinkose Interior Designs; Susan Clase for Ethan Allen; Stacy Thompson for Compass Designs, LLC; Diana Bryant for db Interiors, LLC; J Baker Interiors, LLC; Tomas & Jayne Interior Design; Hope Harsin and Faith Felder for Chatham Home; Michael Arnold; David Studley for Silver Crow Studios; JSC Stylish Interiors; Pamela Hobbs for TY Interiors; Bob Mead; Rosalind Pope Interior Design; Todd Otterman and Chris Beehler for Design Works and Beehler Kitchens, LLC; Marilyn Krueger and Vicki Goode for Especially Wicker; and Doug Wickham for The Aquascape Company, Inc.

The show house is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. through May 11. Admission is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $5 for children.

Decorator’s Show House and Gardens, Atlanta—April 26

One of the most recognized historic family homes in Atlanta, an Italian Baroque-styled mansion designed by architects Neel Reid and Philip Shutze in the 1920s, is the site of the 44th annual Decorators Show House and Gardens.

The designers and firms who will transform the home include Barbara Heath of The Mercantile; Westbrook Interiors; BAK Designs; Clay Snider Interiors; Ed Castro Landscaping; James Farmer Designs; Palmer Design Group, LLC; Stanton Home Furnishings; Oetgen Design Incorporated; Kellie Griffin Interiors; Lane Jackson for Parker Kennedy; Laura Walker for Verde Home; Lila Pryor Frank Interiors; Loren Audrey Taylor for Anna Abrams Design; Maria McLaurin Interiors and Clay Studio; Matthew Quinn for Design Galleria; Melanie Turner Interiors; Habachy Designs; Smith Boyd Interiors; Boxwoods Gardens and Gifts; Robert Brown Interior Design; Stan Topol and Associates; Timothy Corrigan, Inc.; Tish Mills for Harmonious Living; and Traci Rhoads Interiors.

The show house will open with a preview party on Friday evening April 25. Other special events include designer book signings, wine tastings and cooking demonstrations.

Public tours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays 12:00 – 3:30 p.m. through May 18.

Organized by the Atlanta Symphony Associates (ASA), proceeds from the event will support the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and its many influential education and community engagement programs. Admission is $25 before April 25 and $30 at the door.

San Francisco Decorator Showcase—April 26

The San Francisco Decorator Showcase has chosen a 9,000-square-foot estate in the Presidio Heights neighborhood for its annual show house (3660 Jackson, between Maple and Spruce). Built in 1907, the house boasts expansive views of the San Francisco Bay and three stories of rooms ready to be transformed.

This year’s designers and firms include Antonio Martins Interior Design; Artistic Design for Living; Lisa Bakamis Interior Design; BAMO; Butler Armsden Architects; Coddington Design; Five Senses Art Consultancy; Geoffrey De Sousa Interior Design; Heather Hilliard Design; Jaimie Belew Interior Design; Jane Richardson Mack; JoAnn Hartley Design; Jonathan Rachman Design; Katharine Webster Inc.; Thayer Hopkins Architects; Laura Larkin Interiors; Matthew MacCaul Turner; Regan Baker Design; RS McDannell; Sagrera Brazil Design; Shelley & Co. Interior Design; Sonoma Decorative Arts; Stephanie Breitbard Fine Arts; Steven Miller Design Studio; and Sunny K Merry Interiors.

The show house is open to the public Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Fridays from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Sundays and Memorial Day from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. through May 26.

For the past 36 years, the annual San Francisco Decorator Showcase has benefited San Francisco University High School's financial aid program, raising over $12.5 million and benefiting hundreds of students. Admission is $35 and $30 for seniors.

Show House at Silo Point, Baltimore—April 27

The Baltimore Symphony Associates is set to host its 38th annual Decorators’ Show House at the Silo Point luxury condominiums (1200 Steuart Street in Baltimore City). Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the 4,989 square-foot, two-story penthouse, featuring sprawling views of the Baltimore skyline with rooms decorated by the following local designers: Jeanine Turner for Unexpected Art; Gina Fitzsimmons Design; John Vasiliou Landscape Design; Victor Liberatore Interior Design; Gail Lieberman Studio; Dennese Guadaloupe Rojas for Interiors By Design; 
Joyce Scott; Studio Ramos; Brad Weesner Designs; Pat O’Brien for The Muralist; 
Harford Community College; Community College Baltimore County; Carol Grillo; James Battaglia for Sandtown Millworks; and Sheryl McLean for Decoria Designs.

The show house opens on Sunday, April 27, from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Prior to the opening, the BSA will host a Champagne Brunch. Tickets to the brunch are $60.

Following the opening, operating hours will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.