An open house for Open Hands

What: Christopher Showhouse benefitting Open Hands Overflowing Hearts

When: Jan. 16-17, Jan. 21-24, Jan. 28-31

            Open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday and Friday

            Open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Website: Christopherai.com/showhouse

Chris Reebals of Christopher Architecture & Interiors is using a recently renovated showhouse to give back.

Reebals, president of Christopher Architecture & Interiors, kicked off the renovation of a Mountain Brook home in 2015, and after a year of work, he is opening the home to the community. Tickets to tour the house will be $25, and 100% of the money raised will go to Open Hands, Overflowing Hearts (OHOH).

OHOH was founded in 2014 by Hoover resident Kayla Perry, who was diagnosed with pediatric cancer at 18 years old. Reebals said he wanted to donate the money to OHOH because his first cousin’s daughter has leukemia. She was diagnosed at 2 years old, and she is now 3 years old.

“I have a connection with someone who has pediatric cancer, so it’s near and dear to my heart,” Reebals said. “…I’ve got two young children, and when I look at friends and family members who have sick children, it just breaks my heart.”

Reebals said pediatric cancer research is also an important cause to the Over the Mountain community. By partnering with OHOH, Reebals said he hopes Christopher Architecture & Interiors can both help the cause financially and help spread the organization’s message about pediatric cancer research.

“Pediatric cancer doesn’t get very much funding, and that resonates with me,” Reebals said. “When they told me [that], I said why? And they said it’s probably because there’s not much of a strong voice.”

Reebals said Perry’s voice has helped spread the word about pediatric cancer and its lack of funding. Because she was diagnosed at a later age, she has been able to speak up and make a change.

“Having followed Kayla’s story, I have been inspired by her passion, drive and commitment to help others, even in the midst of her illness” Reebals said.

He said Christopher Architecture & Interiors has “translated her inspiration into action,” and they hope to continue to spread the word through this open house. 

Each day the showhouse is open there will be special events for visitors to enjoy. 

Reebals said when he came across the house on Ridgeview Drive, its proximity to other projects made it a good fit and a good opportunity.

“Our firm does a lot of work in the Over the Mountain area, and in Mountain Brook specifically, so that seemed like a pretty logical place to do the project,” Reebals said.

This house also allowed them to work without limitations, Reebals said. Because there was no client, and the house will be used as a showhouse, they could step away from conventional designs.

“We definitely wanted to push the envelope and be creative, and sometimes you’re a little more reserved when you have a client on the other end,” Reebals said.

Stretching the envelope also gave Christopher Architecture & Interiors the chance to show off its craftsmen. Reebals said even with the best designers in the world, an architecture and interiors company is nothing without the people who help make designs into reality.

“We are committed to showing off the talents of our craftsmen, vendors and suppliers who have participated in the project.” Reebals said. 

The showhouse, located at 3620 Ridgeview Drive, will open in mid-January. There is no parking onsite, and there will be shuttle service provided. The shuttle will pick up at Calton Hill (3918 Montclair Road) and Erskine Ramsay Park (3600 Montclair Road). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit christopherai.com/showhouse.