For more than four decades, landscape architect Todd Breyer has shaped some of Middle Tennessee’s beloved outdoor spaces, from private estates to community gardens. As Gardens Chair for the Antiques & Garden Show, he brings deep horticultural knowledge and a lifelong love of nature to this year’s theme, “American Elegance.” His perspective blends history, practicality, and a belief that outdoor spaces can profoundly impact wellbeing.
Breyer explains that American garden style has never been one thing. “Like the country itself, it’s a melting pot of cultures and time periods,” he says. From colonial kitchen gardens to the landscapes of the 1800s, American gardens have borrowed ideas from Europe, Asia, and beyond — and today include natives, pollinator havens, sculptural spaces, and cottage-inspired designs. For this year’s show, he’s channeling the structured gardens of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period that captures the refined charm behind “American Elegance.”
While he respects tradition, Breyer knows outdoor living has changed. Once, porches were where families gathered to cool down and visit with neighbors. Now, outdoor spaces function as true “rooms” that extend the home. In Middle Tennessee’s climate, that means creating nooks that work year-round: shade in summer, sun in cooler months, fireplaces for winter evenings. He sees a shift, especially among younger homeowners, toward reconnecting with nature through herbs, vegetables, flowers, and hands-on gardening. “Getting your hands in the dirt is good for your soul,” he says. Children marvel as a tiny sunflower seed becomes a towering plant — proof that nature still inspires wonder.
Breyer is especially passionate about the wellness benefits of being outside. He points to sunshine, fresh air, movement, and the quiet rhythms of nature as powerful mood boosters. At the Herb Garden in Centennial Park, where he volunteers, he often sees families from nearby medical centers wander in to relax and breathe. To bring that sense of peace to a home garden, he suggests sensory elements: water, grasses, gravel paths, uplifting colors, fragrant plants, and evergreen structure for winter interest. Even small “surprise details,” he notes, can elevate the experience.
Incorporating antiques outdoors — a hallmark of the Antiques & Garden Show — is a matter of intention and scale. Breyer encourages choosing pieces that harmonize with the home’s character and the garden’s style, whether classic urns, heirloom containers, or a contemporary sculpture placed unexpectedly within a traditional landscape.
When it comes to plants, he emphasizes using varieties that thrive in Tennessee’s climate. Proper soil preparation is key, and the palette should reflect both the garden’s style and the homeowner’s personality. “Color is a matter of artistry,” he says. Whether vibrant or restrained, plants should spark joy across the seasons.
For those hoping to bring a touch of American Elegance to their own yards, Breyer’s advice is simple: start small. “Find something you love,” he says. “Something you’ll enjoy every day.”
Because to Todd Breyer, elegance isn’t just design — it’s a feeling. A connection. A moment of beauty waiting just outside the door.
'Getting your hands in the dirt is good for your soul.' -Todd Breyer