Media Contact:
Jen Gick
504.293.4723
jgick@longuevue.com
Since 1991, the Friends of Longue Vue House and Gardens have hosted the Essence of Style Design Symposium featuring top speakers in the fields of design, horticulture and art. This year, Longue Vue is excited to welcome local author Julia Reed and renowned interior designer Bunny Williams for a lively discussion entitled, "One Man's Folly: The Exceptional Houses of Furlow Gatewood and the Inspiration Behind Them." Entering its 23rd year, the annual design symposium educates audiences about trends in interior and landscape design and generates revenue to support Longue Vue's educational programming and historic house museum.
This year's two-day event features a Designer Reception at the home of Jennifer and Kenny Rabalais in addition to a panel discussion, luncheon and silent auction of items and merchandise from local businesses at the Audubon Tea Room. "The Longue Vue Design Symposium brings outstanding design talent to town to share their knowledge with guests. Design is exciting and ever-changing; it is great fun to discover how the subject relates to Longue Vue House and Gardens," notes event Co-Chair and local designer, Louis Aubert.
Tickets to the opening Designer Reception on Wednesday, November 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. are $150. Tickets to the Design Symposium on Thursday, November 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. are $100 for Longue Vue members and $125 for nonmembers. For more information, contact Jen Gick at 504.293.4723 or jgick@longuevue.com or visit www.longuevue.com.
About Longue Vue House and Gardens
Founded by philanthropists Edith and Edgar Stern, Longue Vue is a multifaceted historic estate featuring a world-class house museum and eight acres of stunning gardens that include an interactive Discovery Garden for children. This National Historic Landmark serves as one of New Orleans' premier education and cultural resources. Longue Vue is open seven days a week to the public for tours of the home and gardens, special events and programs. Visit www.longuevue.com for more information.
About Julia Reed
Reed grew up in the Mississippi Delta and began her career at Newsweek magazine's Washington Bureau. For 20 years she was a contributing editor at Vogue. She is a contributing editor at Elle Décor and at Garden & Gun magazine, where she writes a regular column, "The High & Low." She also contributes to The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest and is a frequent guest on MSNBC. She is the author of: But Mama Always Put Vodka in the Sangria, Adventures in Eating, Drinking and Making Merry; The House on First Street, My New Orleans Story; Ham Biscuits, Hostess Gowns and Other Southern Specialties: An Entertaining Life with Recipes; Queen of the Turtle Derby and Other Southern Phenomena; and One Man's Folly, The Exceptional Houses of Furlow Gatewood.
About Bunny Williams
Born in Charlottesville, VA, Williams' decorating DNA combines her upbringing and appreciation for gracious Southern living with her hands-on training at the venerable firms of Stair & Co. Antiques and Parish Hadley, Inc. Her work is regularly featured in top design magazines, newspapers, on television, in film and on a variety of websites and blogs. Among her many honors, Williams was inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame, received the Giants of Design Award from House Beautiful, placed on the A list by Elle Décor, and was recognized with the Design and Business Award by the Edith Wharton Restoration. Williams currently owns Treillage Ltd. with her husband and antiques-dealer, John Rosselli. Her fourth book, Scrapbook for Living, was published by Steward, Tabori & Chang in November 2010.
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