2018 Antiques & Garden Show Nashville

If possible, the 2018 Antiques & Garden Show in Nashville seemed even bigger and more packed with endless finds than when I attended two years ago! And with a great line up of speakers (that I was honored to be a part of) and events, it was a must-visit destination of the design season.

entrance to 2018 Antiques & Garden Show NashvilleSetting the tone with drama and finesse, the elegant entrance display, above, was designed and executed by Cheekwood, the local botanical garden and art museum, that is a beneficiary of the show. While it is an enormous show and we had a busy agenda, I managed to capture a few favorites.

Garden Variety Design vignetteJeannette Whitson of Garden Variety Design was back this year to everyone’s delight. Her booth was brimming with temptation such as the vignette above including sparkling Baguès sconces, a rustic flamingo and old rose velvet covered bergères.

Garden Variety DesignJeannette’s seasoned eye assembles such interesting and eclectic arrangements, frequently featuring bird and nature inspired motifs. Below an unlikely yet interesting pairing of a framed 18th century gold silk ecclesiastical vestment with custom designed brass sconces that are featured in Jeannette’s stylish studio.

Garden Variety Design at Nashville 2018 Antiques & Garden Show

She makes extended annual buying trips to Europe where she scored this amazing 19th c. set of chartreuse velvet and tooled leather folding brass opera chairs from Paris,

Garden Variety Design antique Paris opera chairs

with backs in the original moiré.

paris opera chairs back from Garden Variety Design

James Sansum is a dealer whose understated demeanor belies his refined taste and impeccable offerings. Below, a sinuous 19th c. Thonet bentwood bench and large circa 1900-10 Meiji floral charger on a provincial Louis XV (c. 1760) ebonized side table.

James Sansum at Nashville Antiques Show

This painting, by an under-the-radar early 20th c. American painter is a gem. Edward Bright Bruce was a NYC lawyer and successful publisher which allowed him to retire early. With a lifelong love of painting and art collecting, he moved to Italy to study. “An Italian Garden” is from this period.

Edward Bright Bruce painting at James Sansum

James has a pair of these handsome Louise XVI fauteuils by Pierre Bernard c. 1780. Having a decorator in the family is very convenient as partner, designer Markham Roberts chicly upholstered them with the reverse side of Carleton V’s Iroquois.

Louis XVI chairs at James Sansum

The one item James said would be particularly difficult for him to part with is this rare Japanese Edo dog sculpture. With its charming expression and adorable stout stature, I can totally understand.

Japanese Edo dog sculpture at James Sansum

Lynda Willauer is a wonderful dealer I am familiar with from Nantucket. She had an enormous display including copious amounts of blue and white Chinese export.

chinese export at Lynda Willauer at Nashville Antiques Show

Caroline Faison is another perennial participant whose booth is always an attraction.

Caroline Faison Antiques at the 2018 Antiques & Garden Show Nashville

This fantastic Zuber wallpaper screen, at over 10 feet long and 8 feet high, would be a marvelous backdrop for any room.

zuber screen at Caroline Faison antiques

More blue and white, a great chinoiserie mirror and some charming stools were at Charles Hanlon’s Mayfair Designs, below.

Mayfair Designs at 2018 Antiques & Garden Show Nashville

And Susanna was disappointed to see that this pair of chinoiserie faux bamboo stools were already sold at Kevin Perry.

chinoiserie stools at Kevin Perry at the 2018 Antiques & Garden Show Nashville

He also had these fabulous large and decorative ginger jars that I was surprised to learn were from Tiffany’s circa 1960.

ginger jars at Kevin Perry

Above them was a charming 19th century macaw needlepoint in a pretty gilded frame.

needlepoint at Kevin Perry

Cliff Leonard is a NYC area (South Salem, NY) favorite, who, while specializing in 18th and 19th century English & French antiques, always has a wide range of offerings.

Cliff Leonard at Nashville Antiques

He had a great selection of bulb forcing vases in all the popular colors.

bulb forcing vases at Cliff Leonard

I was seriously tempted by this unassuming set of coral pressings at Withington and Company. I liked their unpretentious natural quality.

Withington and Company coral prints

Nashville based Artifacts always has such great lighting and take note readers and design friends in Atlanta – I hear they are moving your way!

Artifacts lighting at 2018 Nashville Antiques show

Karen Eaton of Ironware International was showing her artisanal pieces of lighting, furniture and accessories, using old world craftsmanship for today’s interiors.

Ironware at Nashville Antiques Show

Consoles are such handy pieces and work in so many rooms. I liked this 19th c. Swedish painted one with griffon supports and faux painted top at Sherwood Antiques. The large 19th c. painted Italian mirror above was appealing as well.

Sherwood Antiques mirror and console at 2018 Antiques & Garden show Nashville

Kevin Scanlon of Atlanta (at Scott Antique Market) had a Deyrolle inspired booth with antique French and German instructional posters

instructional science poster at Kevin Scanlon at Nashville Antiques Fair

as well as vintage cabinets filled with natural curiosities.

Kevin Scanlon at 2018 Nashville Antiques Show

While most of the booths represent older antiques, Eneby Home had a stylish collection of mid-century

Eneby Home at Nashville Antiques Show

and the most beautiful floral arrangement at their entrance.

Eneby Hone floral arrangement

The Side Door had some beautiful garden related antiques.

the Side Door antiques at Nashville Antiques Show

and long time fave Pennoyer Newman was there showing their gorgeous pots based on estate originals.

Pennoyer Newman Nashville Antiques ShowIt was great to see friend Becky Vizard and her beautiful selection of antique textile pillows and accessories. Be sure to check out her Fortuny Canine Couture line and her book.

Rebecca Vizard at the Nashville Antiques Show

Friend Mish Tworkowski was on hand opening night showing his exquisite botanically inspired jewelry.

MISH jewelry at the 20187 Nashville antiques show

This was merely a few of the many treasures to be seen and perhaps acquired. For a live visit, you can join me and Susanna for a video tour from opening night. And if any of you were wondering, I did find something to bring home – this fabulous oil pastel of a giant crane with its original antique glass and frame but shhhh – it’s just going to mysteriously appear in my kitchen!

Oil Pastel bird at Garden Variety Design

all photos by Stacey Bewkes for Quintessence

8 thoughts on “2018 Antiques & Garden Show Nashville

  1. This was a fantastic show. If indications are correct, interior design incorporating rich antique objects and furnishings is coming to the forefront–just a bit lighter and freer this time around. Thanks for the Nashville visit. xoxo Mary

  2. It was a wonderful show! I got a large Louis Philippe mirror, demi john, a couple small rugs, tassels, a lavendar sashet, some plants, and of course some (virgin) bloody marys from the bar. ;) I love your crane painting – great find! ~Miranda

  3. What a treat to time it perfectly to be in Nashville for this singular show. Excited about your purchase…how inspired to put that dramatically poised crane in the kitchen (shhhh)!

  4. Much to my chagrin, I wasn’t able to attend this year, but thanks to you, feel better about
    my loss! I feel like I was a part of the action, just looking at all the fabulous photos. I’m in love
    with your beautiful crane!! And putting him/her in your kitchen, is brilliant!

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