If you tune in to HGTV tonight (Dec. 11), you’ll see the debut of Lauren Liess’ new renovation show, Best House on the Block. The Great Falls-based interior designer may be hitting the big time when it comes to her career, but the longtime NoVA resident remains true to her roots—including making sure she’s on hand for a good cause.
On Dec. 16, Liess is one of nearly two dozen local designers participating in Light Up the Season at the Four Seasons in Georgetown. The family friendly event is a fundraiser for Children’s National in D.C. Liess and the other designers were each paired up with young patients at the children’s hospital to design a holiday tree. Liess was matched with 9-year-old twins Maya and Sophia—and the trio quickly learned they share a love of Harry Potter.
“The holidays and Christmas to them is Harry Potter,” says Liess. “They love the magic of it. The three us are all major super fans so we had a lot of fun just being Harry Potter nerds together and figuring out what to put on the tree.”
The tree—look for all sorts of in-the-know nods to the beloved book series in the decorations—will be auctioned off on Dec. 16, along with all the others.
In addition to touring the winter wonderland of fanciful holiday trees, Light Up the Season features a cookie decorating station, ornament making, musical entertainment and visits with Santa and the Children’s National mascot, Dr. Bear.
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Participating in the Light Up the Season “makes me very, very thankful that these doctors and nurses do what they do,” says Liess. “I can see how much (Maya and Sophia) love it there. The holidays are a time to appreciate friends and family and pull back and see what’s really important. Even if you’ve never been to the hospital, you can come (to the Four Seasons) and have fun and reflect on what’s being done.”
Liess, Maya and Sophia and the rest of the designer-patient tree teams will also be at the event to show off their creations.
“It’s a great opportunity to get together, but it’s also a really powerful fundraiser,” says Liess.
Check out the trees from Liess and all the NoVA-based designers in our gallery.
Light Up the Season, Dec. 16, noon-4 p.m.; Tickets $85 (adults), $50 (16 and under); $250 (family of four, two children and two adults 16 and under); Four Seasons Georgetown: 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.; childrensnational.org/lightuptheseason
