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Contest winner to welcome ‘Trading Spaces’ designer
Gyni Rimer loves the comfortable decorating style of Frank Bielec.
LAKE MILTON — Over the last 43 years, Gyni and Bob Rimer have lived in 14 houses in five states. The couple wants their current house to be the last one they have.
That’s one reason Gyni is so excited to have won a two-room makeover by Frank Bielec, one of the designers on “Trading Spaces,” a home decoration show on The Learning Channel. She also won a $1,000 shopping spree from Signature HomeStyles.
In August, Gyni hosted a sales party at her home for Signature, which offers a line of decorating items. At the time, she was told that she would be entered in a contest to win a shopping spree and a visit from Bielec.
“He is my favorite designer from that show,” said Gyni.
As part of the contest, she had to write an e-mail explaining why she would like Bielec to visit her home.
“I wrote the first part in about 20 minutes. I told him about Lake Milton and why we love it here, and that was really all I needed to write,” said Gyni. “But I went on to say why I ‘needed’ Frank Bielec to come. I’ve lived in so many homes that I never developed a decorating style of my own.
“Also, my husband has a serious illness, so he will be home a lot now,” Gyni continued. “I want our home to be more comfortable.”
Her e-mail letter helped her become one of four winners in the nationwide contest. Gyni’s husband, Bob, works for MultiServ, an aggregate sales company.
Known for his eclectic country style, Bielec fuses his artistic visions with practical design solutions on “Trading Spaces,” which airs at 10 p.m. Saturdays.
Gyni described Bielec’s style as “down to earth. He makes homeowners feel at home. He thinks of their lifestyle. I’m certain that whatever he does, we’ll be thrilled.”
Bielec will be welcomed to Lake Milton on Friday with a parade along Mahoning Avenue featuring the Jackson-Milton High School band. It will begin at 3:15 p.m. at the Miller Marine boat ramp at Lake Milton State Park and end at Westfalls Restaurant.
After Bielec decorates the Rimer house, off County Line Road, he will stay for a social gathering with the Rimers and their guests.