IDC's Pierre Deux hosts pet charity event

COURTESY PHOTO Bedside Manor by Lissy Fleming Pierre Deux at the International Design Center in Estero, a French Country furnishings and accessories retailer, celebrates its national Posh Pets Designers' Challenge candidate, Susan Raine Kester, with a special event set for 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16. Following the launch of its successful Pet Collection, Pierre Deux's Posh Pets Designers' Challenge merges 20 local designers' passions for their profession with their love of animals.

The challenge began last summer, when 20 Pierre Deux locations hand-picked a designer to participate in the competition by creating a custom pet product using a Pierre Deux fabric. In turn, each designer was asked to choose and raise awareness for a local animal therapy or service organization. The winner of the Posh Pets Designers' Challenge will be determined by the product that receives the largest number of votes that can be submitted in-store or online.

To promote Kester, to support Canine Companions For Independence, and to create excitement about the Posh Pets Designers' Challenge, Pierre Deux will host in-store shopping. Voting stations will be set up within the store. Guests will be invited to visit the Posh Pets Designers' Challenge section on pierredeux.com to vote for Susan Kester's item. The site will feature the designers and items from the other 19 stores. Guests will have the opportunity to vote for the designers in other markets as well.

Pierre Deux Estero will donate 10 percent of the sales generated at the event to support its designer's charity.

Pierre Deux's second annual Cadeau for Care Card is on sale through Nov. 14. The card, which will sell for $20, entitles Pierre Deux Estero customers to a 20 percent discount on a purchase of non-sale merchandise when redeemed Nov. 17- 30. Canine Companions For Independence will receive $15 from the sale of each card.

Visit pierredeux.com to vote for the design that you j'adore. The winner will be announced in December and will be featured in the spring 2009 Pierre Deux Catalog.

The Estero showroom is weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including the day of the event, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The IDC is located on Corkscrew Road in Estero.