The Society of the Arts (SOTA), the volunteer-led fundraising organization of the Allentown Art Museum of the Lehigh Valley, 31 N. Fifth St., Allentown, hosts its 2014 "Show House," dubbed "Downtown Abbey, through May 18.

Shirlee Neumeyer, a Saucon Valley resident and co-chair of the "Show House" committee, has been a SOTA member for 32 years.

"This is our 14th Show House," says Neumeyer. "We are really excited about this particular house. It is a federal revival built in 1872, located on 47 East Church Street in historic downtown Bethlehem.

"We decided on the name 'Downtown Abbey' because any home built on ecclesiastical land can be called an abbey.

"This home was built on Moravian Brethren land. And, of course, the PBS historical television drama, 'Downton Abbey,' is so popular right now. So, we thought that 'Downtown Abbey' would be a fun play on that.

"The Show House, owned by Bill and Peggy Hoffman, holds twenty-two design spaces, each decorated by one or more different designers in the theme of 'Refresh, Re-new, Re-do.'

"We came up with the idea of reusing what one already has because we feel it is important in this tough economy," Neumeyer says.

"The designers were really put to the challenge with this theme," she says.

"One of our designers, Liz O'Brien, lives in the Valley but has a shop in Manhattan. She is the author of four books, and has appeared in House Beautiful, Elle Decor and Architectural Digest. She decorated the sunroom and sleeping porch of the house."

Neumeyer says that because of the tough economy, ticket prices, including those for students and seniors, for "Downtown Abbey" have been reduced.

Neumeyer believes that those who visit the 2014 SOTA Show House will come away with lots of inspirational ideas for their own homes.

"We think this home and the designer rooms are a treasure," she says.