By Lauren Northington

Imagine a team of area interior designers completely remodeling or redesigning each room of your home at no cost to you. And when they’re finished, your home becomes a four-week showcase open to the public.

For the last 34 years, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra League has been raising money to support the symphony — and giving Richmond homeowners the opportunity of a lifetime — through their biennial Designer House project.

This year’s homeowners are former state Secretary of Administration Viola O. Baskerville and her husband, cardiologist Dr. Archer Baskerville.

They are the first African-American homeowners to be selected to host the Designer House.

Their brick, Georgian revival home at 3223 Hawthorne Ave. known as “Pineapple Acre” boasts five bedrooms, three full baths, two half baths and an in-ground pool.

Located next door to the former residence of former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder in Richmond’s Ginter Park, the home is assessed at $661,000, according to City of Richmond tax records.

All 4,533 square-feet of the Baskervilles’ home, with the exception of the kitchen, have been redone, and will be available for public viewing and special events Monday, Sept. 12, through Oct. 10.

Mrs. Baskerville, a former Richmond City Council member who also represented the city in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1998 to 2005, served in the cabinet of former Gov. Tim Kaine. She later served as the CEO of the Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia before stepping down in May 2015.

She believes the choice of her home was “serendipity.”

The house had been on the market for more than a year. She took down the “for sale” sign three months ago.

According to Ann Burke, RSOL president-elect, the home was chosen for its unique architecture and historical location.

It was built in 1929 by noted architect Courtenay Somerville Welton.

“This year, one of our members noticed the Baskervilles’ home was on the market,” Ms. Burke said. “The selection committee contacted her and toured the home. We knew immediately that it would be a great Designer House.”

The RSOL, a nonprofit that supports the Richmond Symphony through fundraising, education and community involvement, is lauded for the fundraiser that includes the selection of 30 local designers who each transform a room in the home and compete for best design.

The home, which includes a library, extensive gardens and multiple formal rooms on the first floor, has been leased to the RSOL for three months while the Baskervilles live in a temporary residence.

While Mrs. Baskerville continues to have the final say in architectural and significant design changes, she said she is blown away by the changes.

“The designers have really awakened my sense of color and style,” Mrs. Baskerville said. “They have really showcased a traditional house with a very modern twist.”

She said her favorite rooms include the master suite, the dining room and the first floor powder room.

“This year, the RSOL wants to increase awareness of local designers and increase the diversity of designers, especially fresh, young designers in Richmond,” said Mrs. Baskerville.

While this year’s Designer House includes no African-American designers, Ms. Burke said RSOL hopes to widen the pool of designers for future symphony Designer House fundraisers.

She and Mrs. Baskerville believe visitors will be inspired by the designers’ work. “Everyone will find ideas for their own homes,” Ms. Burke said.

“Some of the ideas are not outrageously expensive, so you can really be inspired to re-image your own space,” Mrs. Baskerville said.