Planting the seed for future inspiration is the 2025 Antiques & Garden Show in Nashville. An annual benefit for Cheekwood Estate & Gardens and Economic Club of Nashville (ECON) Charities, the show, now in its 35th year, features a delightful lineup of lectures and exhibits including some of the industry's best and brightest in horticultural design, interiors, antiques, and landscaped gardens from across the country. Founded in 1990 as a way to give back to the Nashville community, the Antiques & Garden show remains committed to supporting the local community, and in the last 34 years has given $11 million back to these incredible organizations.
A highlight of the weekend is the lecture series keynote, "Cultivating the Character of Home," moderated by India Hicks with Brooke Shields and her longtime collaborator and friend, British designer David Flint Wood. Shields recently unveiled her latest entrepreneurial project, Commence, a digital platform that inspires women over 40 to live their best lives. Shields' next book, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old will be released later this month.
Nashville’s own Sheryl Crow and Lauren Akins host "Designing Music City, Cultivating the Way We Live: Designing A Home with Heart." Crow and Akins, alongside their friend and designer April Tomlin of April Tomlin Interiors, a Nashville staple, invite attendees to take a peek inside their beautiful and livable homes. Crow is a nine-time Grammy award winner/singer-songwriter, mother and activist. Akins is a mother, author, philanthropist and wife of country music superstar Thomas Rhett.
Show general co-chairs, Paige Hill and Dawn Looney, consider the annual show to be the gold standard of all things home and garden and an enchanting antidote to the winter blues. Hill and Looney agreed from the very start on what they wanted the look and feel of the show to be, and they say how fun it’s been to watch the brilliantly talented creative teams who surround them bring this vision to life. From the unique antiques and beauty and creativity of the gardens to the inspiring and educational lectures and the relationships they are building along the way, Hill and Looney agree the Antique & Garden Show truly delights and fills their souls in a way few things can.
Many factors go into making such an expansive show come together and this year's honorary co-chairs, Bunny Williams and Elizabeth Lawrence are pleased to share with you some of the behind-the-scenes magic. Considered one of the most talented names in design, Williams is an accomplished businesswoman and philanthropist known for balancing refined beauty, welcoming livable appeal and attention to detail. One of Architectural Digest’s AD100 Hall of Fame members, Williams lands routinely on various best-of lists, including ELLE DECOR’s A-List and Luxe’s Gold List, and has won numerous awards, including the New York School of Interior Design’s Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award, the Living Landmarks Award from the New York Landmarks Conservancy, a Kips Bay’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art’s Arthur Ross Award.
Honorary co-chair Lawrence has spent her career working alongside Williams, designing projects across the country, from Manhattan to Palm Beach to Los Angeles. Since being named Williams' only partner in 2017, their firm, Williams Lawrence, has built a legacy of superior design. Recently, City Lifestyle was invited to chat with Lawrence about plans for the show.
As this prestigious event approaches what has you the most excited?
I always look forward to opening night. It’s just amazing to see everyone and explore the dealers’ offerings. It is a festive occasion, and you get to see how the committee has raised the bar yet again on the décor and the event.
Can you share what inspires you as co-chair? Is there one lecture or event you feel is a must see if you are an up-and-coming designer, landscaper or architect?
The event is so beautifully planned each year and it is inspiring to see everyone come together to raise money for the community. There are so many amazing lectures and events. I’ve always been a fan of the work of designers Veere Grenney and Rita Konig, so I’m really looking forward to their conversation with Dara Caponigro, from Schumacher & Co. For anyone who is a fan of interior design, that’s a must-not-miss.
What is your favorite garden style and why do you lean towards this choice? Of course, personal style does not match with a client's needs. How does your firm approach new client projects as creatively as possible?
I love English gardens for their combination of formality and comfort and the unrestricted feeling you have strolling through them. When it comes to projects, listen first. Always start by listening to what your clients want, then you can guide them with your expertise and knowledge.
For those loving florals and design, be sure to sit in on these incredible lectures: the floral lecture "Cultivating a Beautiful Life: The Art Of Living With Nature" featuring British floral designers Shane Connolly and Willow Crossley, moderated by Flower Magazine Editor-in-Chief Margot Shaw and design lecture, "Cultivating Timeless Design Classic Interiors Rooted In Tradition" with British design icons Veere Grenney and Rita Konig, led by Frederic Editor-in-Chief and Schumacher Creative Director Dara Caponigro. AntiquesAndGardenShow.com
Show Details
When: January 31 – February 2, 2025
Where: Music City Center
201 Fifth Avenue South Nashville
Socials: Facebook: facebook.com/antiquesandgardenshow
Instagram: @antiquesandgardenshow