Rolling Out The Red Carpet

A special thanks to our 2010 Antiques at The Gardens Committee. Front Row (L to R): Amanda Pigue, Kathleen Doss, Wendy Barze, Mary Margaret Gullage, Elizabeth Jernigan, Kittie Buchanan, Kate Phillips. Back Row (L to R): Jenny Reed, Cameron Crowe, Sheryl Kimmerling, Tracey Anderson, Diana Slaughter (honorary chair), Susan Elliott (co-chair), Clarissa Harms (co-chair), Sally Lineberry, Mary Margaret Hendry, Anne Burke, Joy Grenier and Elizabeth Broughton. Not pictured are: Cathy Adams, Amy Ager, Carol Alexander, Nancy Bromberg, Maggie Brooke, Barbara Burton, Cyndy Cantley, Molly Clark, Mitzi Davis, Ashelynn Falkenburg, Faith Gardener, Leah Hazzard, Kelli Jetmundsen, Joy Kloess, Sue Ellen Lucas, Sharon Lumpkin, Kim McBride, Melanie McCraney, Tricia Noble & Kim Rogers.

2009 Antiques at The Gardens chairs
Tricia Noble, Carol Poyner and Mitzi
Davis show off their style at last
year's Sterne Agee First Look Party

This fall, Antiques at The Gardens celebrates its fifth year at Birmingham Botanical Gardens on October 1-3. The annual show is not only the premier event of its kind in the Birmingham area, but it is also the largest single fundraiser for The Gardens. We are literally rolling out the red carpet for Sterne Agee's First Look Party on September 30, an exclusive black tie soiree featuring hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, as well as the first peek at the goods from dozens of dealers from across the United States. The party is one of the highlights of the fall social calendar in Birmingham, from the fashions worn by guests to the decorations and floral arrangements by Troy Rhone and Leah Hazzard.

Continental and American furniture, antique silver, jewelry, paintings, lighting, china, oriental rugs and more will fill the Garden Center for the weekend long event, which opens to the public at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 1. Prior to opening the doors, however, there is a tailor-made event for interior designers, architects and decorators. The flower Designer Preview is a special, invitation-only reception from 9-10 a.m. that will include refreshments and a continental breakfast for patrons. Guests can bring up to two clients with them to be among the first to shop before the general public.

Above is a sample of the work of Miles Redd,
who will be giving a lecture, titled "Decorating
in a Cold Climate: A Field Guide for Showing
Yankees How It's Done," at Antiques at The
Gardens at 1 p.m. on Friday, September 1.

It's only fitting that we roll out the red carpet on opening night, since one of the highlights of this year's Antiques at The Gardens is Miles Redd, a noted interior designer who owns his own studio in Manhattan. I could go on and on about how Miles is a charming, young, rising star in the industry; or how his style melds old and new, classic with contemporary; or how his taste level is sophisticated yet cozy, with influences from his Southern roots in Georgia blended with his experiences in New York. If you don't want to take my word for it, visit his website (or just Google™ his name, for that matter) and check out the photos of his work. Or, better yet, read one of the many interviews and/or articles published about him (personally, I like this one in House Beautiful>>).

DeJuan Stroud, floral arranger and event
planner extraordinaire, gives his lecture,
"Fearless Flowers and Effortless Entertaining,"
at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 1.

So we've got Miles Redd to help show you how to use the antiques and give you pointers for the home, but what about the garden connection? Floral arranger and event planner DeJuan Stroud is your answer. Mr. Stroud, like Mr. Redd, has a studio in Manhattan where he does some truly stellar work. Whether its a simple floral arrangement or an extravagant wedding, this man is a whiz at using gardens to bring beauty indoors (or out!). He also hails from Andalusia, AL, so this is a bit of a homecoming. To get an idea of just how talented DeJuan is--and what some of his tips during his talk might be--check out this article about him in The New York Times. Sure it's a couple years old, but it's still a good read. Special thanks to Red Diamond for presenting this year's lecture series.

But wait, there's more...

David Lee Holland's Azalea
Pendant/Pin will be given
away by special drawing
on Sunday, October 3 at
3 p.m. Tickets are $10
and are available online
or can be purchased at
Antiques at The Gardens.

David Lee Holland, a custom jeweler who has been designing for international clients for the past 15 years, has created a commemorative Azalea Leaf Pendant & Pin just to help us celebrate the fifth anniversary of Antiques at The Gardens. He, and his partner John Kyriazis, crafted an 18-karat gold brooch with Pavé diamonds running down the center "vein" of the leaf as a tribute to The Gardens.

David Lee Holland often finds inspiration in nature for his work, incorporating leaves, flowers, seeds, branches and other aspects into his fine, hand-made designs. Every work of art his self-named company crafts is made by hand, giving attention to every last detail, from weight and texture to color and balance. This beautiful pendant is valued at $10,500, and is on display at Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit until September 30, when it will be transported to The Gardens for display during the four days of Antiques at The Gardens.

There's too much to say in one blog article about Antiques at The Gardens. We haven't touched on the dealers who will be making an appearance or what the proceeds allow us to do with our educational programming here at The Gardens. Stay tuned for more, but for now, carry on. See you in The Gardens!

Tickets and more info are available on our website>>