14th Floor Event Space – Wednesday Oct. 12 @ 11am
D&D Keynote: Interior Design from Castles to Cottages & Everything In Between
Join star designers Holly Holden, Brian McCarthy, Greg Tankersley, and Robert Ventolo, as well as the Editor in Chief of Avenue Magazine, Peter Davis to moderate a discussion around elegant design that ranges from castles to cottages.
Holly Holden:
Holly Holden is an internationally acclaimed Interior Designer, ASID Allied Member who is renowned for classic design. Holly Holden & Company, Ltd. established in 1989 has created exquisite timeless elegant spaces throughout nations. As the Executive Producer & Host of her public television series “You Are Cordially Invited” her passion for classic interior design is revealed. Holly received an Emmy Award Nomination for her role in the episode Highclere Castle aka Downton Abbey sponsored by Viking Cruises, and thoroughly enjoys sharing her knowledge of privately owned masterpiece homes. Her first table book of interior design “The Pretty & Proper Living Room” is in its second printing, and her most recent table book “The Pearls of Palm Beach” sets the stage for her next entrepreneurial venture in Palm Beach, Florida. Her home Fox Hall circa 1803 was featured in “The Great Houses of New England” published by Rizzoli in 2008. The Gardens at Fox Hall were documented in the Smithsonian Archives for American Gardens, and her work is showcased in periodicals and homes nationwide. Holly appreciates sharing her design expertise with others in public speaking engagements, and captivates a tremendous following with her weekly letter “The Secrets to Lovely Living”. She resides at Fox Hall in Connecticut and Palm Beach, Florida with her husband, Stuart. They have three children and eight grandchildren along with a revolving door for entertaining.
Brian J. McCarthy:
A former partner of the legendary design firm Parish-Hadley, award-winning designer Brian J. McCarthy founded his eponymous firm Brian J. McCarthy, Inc. in 1992. Since then, he has worked on projects and residences around the globe. In 2005, Brian was invited by U.S Ambassador Robert H. Tuttle to design the private quarters and refurbish the State Rooms in Winfield House, the official residence of the Ambassador to the Court of St. James.
A graduate of New York City’s Pratt Institute, Brian is a proud member of Architectural Digest’s AD100 and Elle Decor’s A-List, and his work has been featured in many publications, including Architectural Digest, on the cover of Galerie magazine, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, New York magazine (100 Best), The New York Times, and Veranda, as well as in several books. Brian is also the author of Luminous Interiors and Parish Hadley Tree of Life, which he co-authored with Bunny Williams, and he lectures about his work and design around the country.
He also sits on the board of the Sir John Soane’s Museum Foundation.
Brian lives in New York City with his partner, Danny Sager, and their beloved dog, Vita.
Greg Tankersley:
Greg Tankersley, a native of Alabama, holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Auburn University. It was while at Auburn that Greg met professor of Architecture, Bobby McAlpine. Recognizing Greg’s strong drawing and creative abilities, Bobby asked Greg, along with his wife Mary Robin Jurkiewicz, to join his bourgeoning firm in Montgomery, Alabama in 1985. Greg’s expertise and leadership skills led to a partnership with Bobby in 1997 forming McAlpine Tankersley Architecture.
In 2015, the architecture practice married their sister interior design company, McAlpine Booth & Ferrier, to form simply McALPINE. Now in its 30th year, McALPINE is described as “nurturing, compassionate, soulful,” and the firm’s architecture, wedding historical precedence with graceful modern living, is a timeless and romantic pursuit of “The Inheritable House.” The firm’s work has been featured in VERANDA, HOUSE BEAUTIFUL, SOUTHERN ACCENTS, ARTS & ANTIQUES, ELLE DÉCOR, ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST, SOUTHERN LIVING, HOUSE AND GARDEN (both US and British editions), METROPOLITAN HOME, TRADITIONAL HOME, The New York Times and on Home and Garden Television (HGTV). The firm was honored to be included on the AD100 list compiled by ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST in 2012, 2014 and 2016.
Robert Ventolo:
Robert Ventolo is founder and president of Crain & Ventolo Associates, a full-service NYC-based design firm that marries architecture, interior design, and art consulting. He has provided esteemed architectural and interior design elegance for his clientele for 16 years. Mastering his own niche style, Euro-modern-minimalist, Robert has established himself as a renowned industry professional.
Showing his loyalty years after a project is completed, Robert exceeds client’s expectations, ensuring that they enjoy his work for life. Not only is he a leader in the industry, but also a role model for how to build a full-service firm and develop impressive clientele relationships.