By Kathleen Folkerth

WEST AKRON - Local designers are working to spruce up one of Akron's historic homes for the holidays and help local charities at the same time.

Home for the Holidays, a Truly Designer Event, is the theme for the nearly two-month-long exhibit at the Perkins Stone Mansion, headquarters for the Summit County Historical Society, and the Wash House. The exhibit runs from Nov. 2 to Dec. 22.

Janis Worley, a member of the historical society's board, said the organization was inspired to revisit the exhibit after its successful collaboration with the Junior League of Akron on its Designer Showhouse project in 2006.

"We worked with so many organizations, it was exciting and fun," Worley said. "We wanted to carry it on. It's a way for us to participate in the community."

For the second year, 10 area designers were asked to decorate rooms of the mansion in a Christmas theme. They were not limited to historic themes, although some, like Winnie Leenaarts, of Pam's Posies in Fairlawn, tried to keep the design timely.

"I wanted to stay as close to the period as possible," Leenaarts said. In the bedroom she is designing, Leenaarts used artificial arrangements and a decorated tree. She also decorated the mantel in the room.

"I plan to do something unique on the bed and side tables," she said. "And I have an interesting Santa collection I'd like to use."

"There are no rules," Worley said. "Designers can do whatever they want." She said one participating designer is using a wedding theme, while another is sticking with white, gold and silver to decorate a room. A folk art Christmas theme will be featured in another room, Worley said.

As they did last year, the participating designers selected a charity or nonprofit organization to spotlight. Visitors will vote on their favorite room, and the room with the most votes will be awarded 10 percent of the proceeds for its designated organization.

Leenaarts said Pam's Posies owner Greg Ress suggested the Cystic Fibrosis Center at Akron Children's Hospital for its designated charity.

Other participating designers and their selected charitable organizations are:

• Pamela Bayer, of Pamela Bayer Interiors, on behalf of MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute of Ohio and the Jesse Blake Foundation;
• Robin Brechbuhler, of Brechbuhler Interior Design Ltd., on behalf of Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary;
• Janice Mosko, of Greenbriar Florist, on behalf of Access Inc.;
• Jennifer McCool, of Jennifer McCool Interior Design, on behalf of the Ian Healy Kidney Fund;
• Cindy Pastoria, of Cindy Pastoria Designs, on behalf of Akron Children's Hospital;
• Jim Pesce, of James Pesce Designs, on behalf of Mental Health America of Summit County;
• Brian Reeder, of Reeder Architects & Interior Design, on behalf of Kiwanis K-Kids;
• Diane Blinn, of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, on behalf of itself; and
• Lynne Dowling and Libby Upton, of Yellow Creek Trading Co., on behalf of the Alzheimer's Association.

Worley said the society would like to continue doing the exhibit each holiday season. "We really want this to become a holiday tradition," she said. "It's a feel-good project."

Home for the Holidays will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. with the exception of Thanksgiving week. Tickets, which may be purchased at the door, are $7 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and members of groups of 10 or more, and $1 for children 12 and younger. Parking is free. The Perkins Stone Mansion is located at 465 S. Portage Path at Copley Road. For details, call (330) 535-1120 or go to www.summithistory.org.