For the past 15 years, Paige has wandered the floor of Nashville’s Antiques & Garden Show in search of new design trends, repurposed heirlooms, and stunning landscapes. Back this year for its 34th run, the show supports Cheekwood Estate & Gardens and ECON Charities. The show brings together tons of exhibitors showcasing the best in antiques, gardens, and horticulture, and also offers an educational lecture series (this year’s keynote: Brooke Shields!).
We left this year’s show feeling inspired and enlightened – here are our big takeaways.
Old Made New: Repurposing Antiques
It’s no surprise the “Antiques” & Garden Show was filled with heirloom pieces. But, one thing that struck us this year was that many of the items had been made new again. Dated wooden chairs had been reinvigorated with bold, brand-new fabrics, and showrooms had new components like modern art and trending wallpaper woven together with historic elements like classic china and timeworn sconces.
Might we suggest… adding a designer-made modern pillow to an antique couch?!
Heirloom pieces are a funny thing – many things like serving ware and platters were designed for very specific purposes, which was a sign of wealth back in the day. This year, Paige was delighted to see lots of oyster trays making a comeback.
UK versus U.S. Design
One of the lectures shed light on the differences in home design between the United States and the United Kingdom. Led by British design icons Veere Grenney and Rita Konig, plus the editor-in-chief of FREDERIC, Dara Caponigro, Paige’s biggest takeaway was the juxtaposition between old and new.
In the UK, most homes are historic in and of themselves, embodying a timeless charm and plenty of trending “cottage core.” Designers may modernize a space by adding high-quality prints and tapestries or new furniture, weaving in heirloom pieces to tie in the home’s central charm.
But in the U.S., the trend to fill ultra-modern homes with antiques (mainly procured from the UK) is a stark contrast. It’s not uncommon to see a new build with floor-to-ceiling windows, brand-new appliances, and the latest and greatest technology, then decorated with curated antique pieces.
Designers are Better Together
Paige didn’t explore the Antiques & Garden Show alone. This year, she attended alongside three fellow design firms, each bringing a unique perspective to the show. Unsurprisingly, Paige was drawn to bold colors and funky prints, while others gravitated to exhibitors better aligned with their preferred styles.
That’s precisely why a show like this is so beneficial – it offers plenty of useful learnings spanning a variety of tastes, so attendees can find ways to tweak their personal style while also exploring those drastically different.
Interested in incorporating some of these takeaways into your own designs? Let’s chat.