Two women who recently began a business in Cape Coral were chosen as the furniture vendor to furnish a deserving family’s home on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” which will air Sunday, at 8 p.m., on ABC
Irene Read and Bobbie Lemmons, the founders of Island Bi-Design began sharing ideas July of last year to start their teak furniture design business and received their certificate of use for their Cape Coral Parkway space on Jan. 19.
Lemmons said they received an e-mail on Jan. 5 that contained pictures of their teak furniture that resembled pictures they posted on their website.
“They loved so many of our pieces,” she said about the e-mail’s message. “As we read through the paperwork we realized that they only credit one furniture vendor.”
Read explained that it was an amazing feeling that after collaborating and working so hard for six months their company was recognized.
After it was confirmed that Island Bi-Design would be used for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” Read said it was very exciting and scary all at the same time. She explained that to be the main furniture designer, the company has to donate up to $50,000 in furniture for the show.
“It was a huge endeavor for us to take,” Read said about the $47,000 they donated in furniture. “We stepped up to that plate.”
Within a couple of days they received the blue print of the house that was being built, along with notification that the furniture would be used for the interior and exterior of the home. Lemmons explained that the design team for “Extreme Makeover” provided them with an indication of what they wanted in terms of furniture.
“It almost took a village to pull it together,” Lemmons said. “We turned it around in three days.”
The two women left for their secret location on Jan. 12 with two 24-foot trucks full of materials for the furniture. Once they arrived, the furniture building began.
She explained that “Extreme Makeover” Interior Designer Michael Moloney selected what he wanted for the house and they had the opportunity to set up the furniture, which consisted of 40 designed pieces, in the rooms.
“It was an amazing confirmation for us,” Lemmons said about having their collection chosen for the house. “It was a huge confirmation for our vision.”
The women were floored with the group of people that make the ABC show possible.
“I was completely amazed at how kind, patient, organized and creative the whole group at Extreme Makeover were,” Lemmons said. “It stunned me how well they work together… those crazy deadlines and no one was stressed.”
Read said the one amazing thing that stuck out from her experience was how they felt like they knew everyone for a really long time once they walked on the set.
“It was amazingly peaceful,” she said about the house that was built in a week. “It was lovely being there.”
The volunteers who gave their time during the show also impressed Read because it did not matter what kind of task they were given.
“Everyone donates their time with love, they do it because they want to be there,” she said.
Lemmons and Read are opening their doors Sunday night at 7 p m. for everyone to join them in drinking wine and eating appetizers while watching the premier at 1331 Cape Coral Parkway.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Read said about her experience of the show. “The fact that we are still upright is amazing.”
Lemmons said she is still trying to get her head wrapped around the idea that they accomplished providing furniture for “Extreme Makeover.”
The contemporary, teak furniture design can be used for indoor and outdoor use. For more information visit www.islandbidesign.com.