The Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville, presented by TVV Capital, announces its 23rd annual show Feb. 8-10 at the Nashville Convention Center. With more than 140 booths of extraordinary antique and horticultural dealers, magnificent gardens and world-renowned experts, the Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville is recognized as one of the largest of its kind in the country.

Themed as a tribute to the late Albert Hadley (1920-2012), esteemed American interior designer and Nashville native, the Show will feature Hadley-inspired tributes throughout, including a stunning entry space — flowing from an elegantly furnished room to a sophisticated garden — designed in collaboration by Nashville designer Jonathan Savage and Nashville landscape designer Stephen Wells; and five additional gardens, each based on a Hadley-designed wallpaper; and more.

Featured guest lecturers and experts include acclaimed designer and Hadley protégée Bunny Williams, who is this year’s honorary chair; renowned American architect Gil Schafer III; FlowerSchool New York floral director Eileen W. Johnson and floral designer Emily Thompson; healthy living advocate and vegan cookbook author Cornelia Guest; and Southern Highlands Reserve founder Robert Balentine. In addition, the Show features a Preview Party (Feb. 7) hosted by Bunny Williams; and a Collectors Party (Feb. 8) hosted by Carolyn Englefield of VERANDA magazine. The Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville benefits ECON and Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art.

Tickets, which include admission for the entire weekend, are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, with discounts for seniors and active military. Advance group discounts are available. Visitors should note that parties, the floral workshop and selected lectures require additional tickets, while others are included in the basic ticket price. Tickets and details are available at www.antiquesandgardenshow.com.

“We are humbled by the opportunity to pay tribute to our mentor and iconic designer, the late Albert Hadley, an enthusiastic supporter of the show since its inception in 1991,” says Dana Miller, co-chairman of the 2013 Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville. “His influence permeates the show: From the moment attendees enter, they will find inspiration and fascination, experiencing a gorgeous entry space, incredible and varied gardens, and an abundance of beautiful antiques and garden items.”

“We value providing support to Cheekwood and ECON with funds raised from the Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville,” says Birgitta Williamson, co-chairman. “ECON does wonderful work in providing support to dozens of local community groups to help many in need, including families and children. Cheekwood is a cherished landmark in Nashville, and with its beautiful art and gardens, it both engages our minds and nourishes our spirit. We are thrilled to help support the goals of these organizations.”

Albert Hadley, America’s Preeminent Designer with Nashville Roots
Nashville native Albert Hadley rose to the highest ranks in the world of interior design, known for his restraint and balance in design — or, as described in his own words, “never more, never less.” During his more than 30 years as a principal, along with Sister Parish, of Parish-Hadley Associates, the decorating firm of choice for New York society’s A-list, Hadley created beautiful interiors, both tasteful and timeless, that reflected his clients’ lifestyles. He designed notable rooms for famous clients including the Kennedy White House, Brooke Astor, Happy Rockefeller, as well as the Gettys, Mellons, and Whitneys, among others.

Throughout his career, Hadley’s commitment to mentoring young designers helped to spawn a generation of Hadley disciples, who each absorbed his influence as inspiration to elevate their own instinctive talents. Among those mentored — and now recognized as top tier designers — are Thomas Hamel, David Kleinberg, Brian McCarthy and Bunny Williams, among others. [Ed. note: each of these designers is a featured guest at this year’s Show.]

Since the Antiques and Garden Show inception in 1991, Hadley offered his leadership and vision, essential in establishing national credibility in the Show’s early years. His support and efforts attracted top U.S. designers and lecturers, adding to the Show’s growth and success. He passed away in March 2012.

Nashville-based Designers Collaborate, Contribute Talents
Nashville-based designer Jonathan Savage of Savage Interior Design and Nashville landscape designer Stephen Wells, of Wells Design Associates, will create the Hadley-inspired entry space. Attendees will first experience an interior room layered with fine antique and mid-century furnishings, interesting accent pieces and a starburst mirror — a Hadley ‘signature’ piece. Continuing through the space, attendees will discover a wonderful garden environment, based on a Hadley sketch of an ‘outdoor garden room.’ The enchanting space transitions fluidly from a private, trellised garden into a delightful open-air terrace, complete with French doors.

Five additional gardens will anchor the Show exhibition floor, each created by Nashville-based garden design firms that include Phillipe Chadwick, Anne Daigh, The Lively Landscape Company, Page/Duke Landscaping, and Poise & Ivy. Drawing inspiration from selected wallpaper motifs created by Hadley, designers will formulate unforgettable gardens that pay homage to the legendary designer’s aesthetic sensibilities. Attendees will find both traditional elements — topiaries and fountains; to cutting edge features, such as a tree that projects multi-media imagery.

World Renowned Experts Present Informative Programs
Top experts in the fields of design and garden and more will present informative programs at the Show, including lectures, Ask-an-Expert, floral workshop, book signings, and a show tour. In addition, many experts will be featured as special guests at both the Preview Party and the Collectors Party. Attendees can enjoy varied topics each day of the Show.

Preview Party
Thursday, Feb. 7, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Ticket: $175
Hosted by honorary chair Bunny Williams, the Preview Party attracts approximately 1,000 guests to enjoy the opportunity to view and shop the Show before it opens to the public. Sponsored by First Tennessee and 1stdibs.

Lecture: “Under the Influence of Albert Hadley” presented by Bunny Williams
Friday, Feb. 8, 10:30 a.m.
Ticket: $50
Renowned interior designer Bunny Williams of Bunny Williams, Inc. will discuss her design aesthetic and fascinating career that includes her work with Albert Hadley of the renowned Parish-Hadley Associates and much more. Both a trailblazer and a tastemaker, Williams’ style is classic, but never predictable. Her modern vision and classic style has earned the designer numerous awards, and her work has been published around the world. Williams was named to Architectural Digest’s “AD 100” list in 2012.

Lecture: Eileen W. Johnson with Emily Thompson, floral designers
Friday, Feb. 8, 1 p.m.
Tickets: $50
Renowned floral designers, Eileen W. Johnson, founder/director of FlowerSchool New York and Emily Thompson, known for her unconventional, masterful designs will present an informative lecture and demonstration on the art of floral arrangement. Topics include the fascinating intersection between design and floral arrangement; and how the mastery of floral design can elevate it from a ‘craft,’ to a true art form. Using found items (sideboards, tables, various containers), the two will demonstrate how to create interesting and site-specific floral arrangements, with consideration to its use/location, materials and containers. FlowerSchool New York is one of the oldest and most prestigious centers for floral arts in the country providing instruction for enthusiasts and professionals, taught by a faculty of world-renowned florists. Thompson has designed events and galas at Lincoln Center, Museum of Modern Art, and others; and was guest designer for Christmas at the White House, where her designs included living gardens in the East Room.

Collectors Party
Friday, Feb. 8, 6-8 p.m.
Tickets: $50
The Collectors Party, hosted by Carolyn Englefield of VERANDA, will honor Albert Hadley. The event will feature special guests Thomas Hamel, Brian McCarthy and David Kleinberg — each internationally known designers — who will comment on the work of the late Albert Hadley and provide a special tour of the Show for party guests.

Floral Workshop: Emily Thompson, with Eileen W. Johnson, FlowerSchool New York
Saturday, Feb. 9, 11:30 a.m.
Tickets: $125, materials included
This floral workshop will feature expert floral designer Emily Thompson, along with Eileen W. Johnson, founder of FlowerSchool New York, one of the oldest and most prestigious centers for floral arts in the country. This informative, hands-on workshop invites participants to each create a floral arrangement to keep, with input from these nationally known floral expert instructors. Thompson, who came to floral design with a background as a sculptor, is known for her balance of the uncultivated organic world with the delicacy of classical ornamental design, utilizing unconventional materials.

With each arrangement, Thompson will discuss the important considerations of both the container and the location where it will be displayed. Workshop materials are provided. Space is limited for this unique opportunity to experience a FlowerSchool New York workshop in Nashville. Thompson has designed events and galas at the White House, Lincoln Center, Museum of Modern Art, and others; and was guest designer for Christmas at the White House, where her designs included living gardens in the East Room.

Ask-an–Expert, with architect and author Gil Schafer III
“Pink Clapboards and Tea Olive: What a Southern House Taught Me About Tradition, Memory, and Great Design”
Saturday, Feb. 9, 2 p.m.
Free with Show admission
Show attendees can attend the complimentary Ask-an-Expert event featuring award-winning architect and Architectural Digest’s “AD 100” member Gil Schafer III of G. P. Schafer Architect, PLLC. Author of The Great American House: Tradition for the Way We Live Now, published in 2012, Schafer is consistently recognized as one of the leading practitioners of contemporary classical architecture. His work has been featured in many publications on both sides of the Atlantic.

Ask-an–Expert, with author Cornelia Guest
“Entertaining with Cornelia”
Saturday, Feb. 9, 4 p.m.
Free with Show admission
As a New York socialite, businesswoman, philanthropist, and the original ‘celebutante,’ entertaining is in Cornelia Guest’s blood. With her new book, Simple Pleasures, Guest passes many secrets on to her readers. Simple Pleasures serves as a guide to delicious vegan cooking and effortless entertaining. As a healthy living advocate, Guest’s mission is to inspire people to make conscious dietary choice in their daily lives. The author will sign copies of her book, which includes original recipes, decorating and party tips, and photos from her storied life. The event is sponsored by Flower magazine.

Lecture: Robert Balentine, Southern Highland Reserve
Sunday, Feb. 10, 1 p.m.
Free with Show admission
This Sunday lecture features special guest Robert Balentine, founder of Southern Highlands Reserve, a native plant and arboretum center in western North Carolina dedicated to sustaining the natural ecosystems of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Free to all Show attendees, Balentine will discuss the ongoing work at the Reserve, with its emphasis on education, conservation and research of the rare ecology of the area.