Medford's decorator showspace opens Oct. 8; proceeds to support health-care scholarships

MEDFORD, Ore., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Long known as a functional and unassuming central business district, downtown Medford, Ore., this fall is going decidedly uptown. "Spaces from the Heart" is a decorators' showspace opening Oct. 8 in the radically remodeled former Acme Hardware Co. building, 1 West 6th St.

Seven newly created Acme Suites lofts on the building's second floor have been transformed by 23 Southern Oregon designers. Working individually or in teams, they spent September creating unique, upscale interiors in styles ranging from avant-garde to 1940s retro. The one- and two-bedroom lofts range from 665 to 990 square feet and are packed with inspiration for anyone looking for big ideas to use in small rooms.

The Acme Suites will be open to the public for self-guided tours on selected days Oct. 9-Nov. 5. All proceeds from the sale of $15 tickets will benefit Rogue Valley Medical Center's scholarship fund for students pursuing health-care careers. Designers volunteered their time and talents, and many contractors and retailers contributed services and goods. So far, more than $150,000 has been raised or pledged.

"Medford has a major urban renewal effort under way, but there's still very little living space downtown," said Spaces project co-manager Susie Penwell of Penwell & Lowenberg Design. "The Acme Suites will appeal to a broad range of people -- and that should encourage other developers to create more residential space in the city's core."

Building owner-developer Laz Ayala of Ayala Properties in Medford oversaw renovation of the entire 24,000-square-foot building throughout 2005. Following the showspace run, the lofts will be leased to corporations seeking executive housing, individuals and families needing transitional housing, and people interested in experiencing a carefree lifestyle in an urban setting.

In addition to touring the site, interior design fans can meet with decorators at 30-minute Saturday morning seminars, and with local vintners for wine and food pairings during Saturday Evenings at the Suites.

More information is available at www.rvmcspacesnow.com or by calling Erica Gordon, Rogue Valley Medical Center Foundation, .

  "Spaces from the Heart" SCHEDULE

  -- Opening Night Celebration, Saturday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m.  Tickets:  $125.

  -- Public Self-Guided Tours: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 9-Nov.
     5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  $15.

  -- Saturday Mornings at the Suites: Designer discussions and
     demonstrations, tours and refreshments; 9-10 a.m., Oct. 8-Nov. 5. $35.

  -- Saturday Evenings at the Suites. Food and wine pairings hosted by local
     vintners, followed by tours. 5-6:30 p.m. on Oct. 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5.
     $50.

Rogue Valley Medical Center is the regional referral center, serving nine counties in southern Oregon and northern California. RVMC is a member of Asante Health System, a community owned and governed, not-for-profit organization that also consists of Three Rivers Community Hospital in Grants Pass, Genesis in Central Point and Hearthstone in Medford.

Source: Asante Health System

CONTACT: Erica Gordon of Rogue Valley Medical Center Foundation,
or ; or Marilyn Hawkins of Hawkins & Company PR, or , for Asante Health System

Web site: http://www.asante.org/