FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sarah Perry
July 19, 2010
(662) 329-7119
sperry@pa.muw.edu

HGTV features MUW alumna’s designs

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Bella Interiors of Columbus has teamed up with HGTV to showcase store owner and alumna Penny Bowen’s designs in an open house at 208 High Street in Aberdeen on Wednesday, July 21 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Bowen and fellow designers of Bella Interiors, Terri McKissack, Nikki Wiygul and Lori Lumsden, were selected by HGTV along with the experts at Lighting Plus and The Granite Guys. All will lend their expertise to transform the home of celebrity makeup artist and Aberdeen native, Billy Brasfield.

Brasfield has worked with Lady Gaga, Beyonce Knowles, Mariah Carey, Sharon Stone, the Dixie Chicks, Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler and many more celebrities.

The program, titled “Hometown Renovations,” will document the process of renovating, designing and selling the house, while showcasing the broader efforts of some of Mississippi’s finest creative talent to help beautify the city of Aberdeen. Final filming will take place on the day of the open house. The show is scheduled to air in January 2011.

Bowen, who graduated from MUW with a B.A. in interior design in 1991, has owned Bella Interiors for four years and Penny Bowen Designs for 12 years. The idea of Bella Interiors came to her when she dreamed of a place that could be a one-stop design shop.

"I am proud to have this opportunity to work with Billy B and HGTV on this fabulous house renovation and staging. It is wonderful to show the world what great things Mississippians are capable of," said Bowen.

On Saturday, July 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., select furnishings from the staging of the show will be available for purchase at 40 percent off at Bella Interiors, located at 515 College Street in Columbus.

The public is invited to attend the open house.