Editorial Feature:
Merrywood Show House

About: FRANCO GRIMALDI — Executive Producer

Mr. Grimaldi has participated in more than a dozen “Show House” projects in Manhattan, California, Connecticut and Florida in various capacities as producer, homeowner, board member, treasurer and house manager. He was introduced to the “Show House” concept when he agreed to let his Winter Park, Florida estate be used for an Orlando Opera fund raiser.

Franco Grimaldi became a producer of “Show Houses” ten years ago. “My idea of a “Show House” is to have it look like a comfortable home with a decided focus on flow and utter respect to the original architectural integrity of the property,” says Grimaldi. His primary reason for participating in “Show House” events has been to assist foundations that help humanity. When he first started it was to support the performing arts. Lately, he has dedicated himself to assist research and development for Cancer, Alzheimer's and AIDS, as well as the prevention of child abuse.

As a professional singer he has appeared in over fifty productions in major cities throughout the United States and Europe. His theatrical and operatic experiences include a Broadway debut opposite Shirley Booth and Melvyn Douglas at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York. Numerous concerts and operatic performances soon followed. Twelve years in Europe earned him Gold Medals from the Vatican, Italian Press Club, Famiglia Meneghini and Societa Del Giardino for his artistic talent.

As a faculty member at Rollins College he was commissioned to compose his “Grand Festival Mass” for the school’s centennial celebration. While residing at his home in Florida he was a drama and music critic for PBS Magazine. He also hosted his own talk shows “On With the Show” and “Frankly Speaking”, which were both dedicated to all facets of the performing arts, health issues, and the world of creative design. He is most proud of having performed as “Cervantes”, the lead role in The Man of La Mancha, over two hundred times. “My most satisfying and rewarding moments ever on stage,” he quickly says.

Mr. Grimaldi is presently producing a television series entitled: “The Room of Choice”© for American Showcase Homes, a subdivision of Talent Resource Centre, LLC, where he holds the position of President & CEO. His primary goal with this series is to pay homage to the world of interior design and demonstrate with respect and honesty the past and present accomplishments in this field, while preserving and documenting our design history and integrity for future generations to appreciate and cherish.

The Team: Talent Resource Centre, LLC

Franco Grimaldi
Exectuctive Producer

Marc Chebbi
Director

Chrisina Haskin
Associate Producer

Ed Corfini
Associate Producer
House Manager

Jane Peters
Associate Producer
Design Consultant

Hanne Zeitner Cadlwell
Project Coordinator

Christian Enthoven
Assistant Director

Michael Latchman
Production Manager

Daniel Millen
Production Assistant

For more information about Talent Resource Center, LLC or 'THE ROOM OF CHOICE' visit their website at www.theroomofchoice.com.