Speaker Dinner
For the majority of the last 20 years of the Lauritzen Gardens Antiques & Design Show, there has been a very special Friday night dinner planned to honor the speakers and special guests. As speaker chairman for the last decade or so, I can tell you that many speakers request coming to our show thanks to the praise they hear from previous speakers. It is such a wonderful thing.
The Friday night dinner has been held in only 4 homes since its inception. For the last 7 years straight, (and a few previous years) it has been at this lovely residence.
The artwork on the invitation and menu was designed and painted by Liz Dixon of EJD Design - a dear friend of the garden and all of us. She matched some of the florals to the botanicals on the dining room wallpaper, which matches the florals on the Flora Danica in the beautiful cabinet designed by Alessandra Branca.
Several tables were set for the party.
A table in the library…
Another small table in the dining room…
The cutest kitchen table… perhaps for breakfast the next morning?
The entry is stunning and the patio doors lead out to the most magnificent backyard that fittingly feels like a Botanical Garden. Notice the cricket cages from yours truly! (shop here)
Kyle Robino did the flowers. Gorgeous, per usual.
So fun to have Stacie Kinney take photos for us!
Kathryn Ireland arriving…
Martyn Lawrence Bullard arriving…
The musicians on the patio…
The most wonderful and gracious hosts…
Honorary Chairs
Kathryn and Martyn are full-on movie stars!! I felt like Grandma.
TOTAL movie stars!
Can you even?
Back to the dining room!
Remember, the wallpaper was hand painted to match the botanicals on the Flora Danica plates displayed in the cabinet..
And the cabinet was designed by Alessandra Branca to house the china.
The place cards with the menu on the reverse side…
Kathryn Ireland with her beau….
The speakers were presented with a box of Omaha Steaks when departing. Such a special evening!
Thank you to the most wonderful and generous hosts and incredible supporters of the Show in so many ways.. Thank you to Stacie Kinney for the photos! And thank you to all for making the weekend such a wonderful success!
