The 5th annual Design Santa Fe kicks off Oct. 1. And this year's event will be a bit different than in years past. To start, the popular Design Dialogue and Luncheon featuring nationally renowned design professionals for the first time will be held at the Railyard's new Farmers Market. Then on Oct. 3, the all-new "Ride the Train to Great Design" special guided tour takes place.

"We really wanted to leverage the new Farmers Market and the fact that the Rail Runner is up and running," said Jeff Fenton, one of the organizers. He said the group is thrilled they are now able to "reach out to Albuquerque design enthusiasts in a different way."

In conjunction with the Rail Runner, event organizers arranged a ride that can accommodate up to 35 participants specifically for Design Santa Fe. Guests will be greeted at the Santa Fe Railyard for the full-day event, which includes a self-guided tour of seven homes. "We hope to make an easy and fun Saturday out of it," said Fenton.

Another first at Design Santa Fe is the Co-op House & Design Boutique. The home showcases the work of six Santa Fe-based designers with each dressing up their own room. "It's neat to see how the styles differ, contrast and work together," Fenton said. There is also a store where people can purchase design items, including special-order furnishings clients did not pick up and other good buys.

The goal of the event is to make design accessible to both trade professionals and anyone with an interest in design. "We are trying to connect people with the design community and let them know what Santa Fe style is evolving into and what design in Santa Fe can be, which is really reflecting who you are," Fenton said.

The organizers aspire to show people that there are many tastes and ways to spice up a space. They also want to show people that there is more to design in the now 400-year-old city than what is generally perceived — namely adobe homes and traditional Southwestern décor. Lastly, it is an opportunity to demonstrate how designers can help people to see things in a new way and encourage them to develop their own personal flavor.

Started and funded by the city in 2005, Design Santa Fe originally showcased a broad range of design, including fashion and interior spaces. When the interior design group heard a lack of funds threatened to shut down the annual event two years ago, the group came together to form Santa Fe Interior Designers Present to keep the production going. There are now 20 core members ranging from interior designers to trade-related business owners that produce the event.

"There is a great synergy among the group," said Fenton. "We all believe so strongly in design, the evolution of what Santa Fe style is and helping people evolve their own style that we decided to do our own thing."

Giving back to the community is another theme they all strongly agree on. Each year, the nonprofit group donates a portion of the funds raised during the three-day event to a charitable organization. This year the group decided to continue its support of the Youth Shelter Transitional Facility. The home provides shelter for homeless children ages 16-20, including pregnant and parenting teens.

Last year, the group raised $5,000 for the organization.

The members hope to raise the same amount or more this year, yet given the economic climate, they realize it may be more difficult. But creative people think of creative solutions, hence this year's "Shop the Co-op" design boutique. A percentage of proceeds from sales at the store will directly benefit the youth home.

Above all else, Fenton hopes that people who attend this year's Design Santa Fe will walk away feeling inspired.

"For $20 and a home tour, there is an awful lot of opportunity to be inspired," he said.

7 p.m. — Opening Night Party hosted by G. Coles-Christensen Rug Merchants, 125 W. San Francisco St.
9 a.m. to noon — Panel discussion on Beauty, Design, Collaboration; Farmers Market Building, Santa Fe Railyard
Noon-1:30 p.m.— Catered luncheon.
1:30pm-5 p.m. — Self-guided home tour
6-8 p.m. — Cocktail party hosted by John Brooks, Incorporated Gebert Contemporary, 544 S. Guadalupe St.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. —  Self-guided home tour
11:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Rail Runner guided home tour
6-8 p.m. — Cocktail party hosted by Moss Outdoor, 530 S. Guadalupe St.

Tickets — Dialogue, luncheon, self-guided home tour and parties, $75; special Rail Runner guided home tour and box lunch — limited to 35 participants — $60 (train tickets, $6, must be purchased from Rail Runner); self-guided two-day home tour only, $20.   
Tickets are available through the Lensic Box Office, 988-1234 or www.ticketssantafe.org
For event information, visit www.designsantafe.org