While fall and football are in full swing on the First Coast, I know you are already looking forward to the holiday season. I want to make sure you have the First Coast Design Show on your calendar. This event brings all the best of the holiday season together.
Decorations, inspirating designers, an amazing party and of course shopping — all benefiting an important cause in our community: Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
The First Coast Design Show, coming Dec. 5-7, has emerged as one of the premier events celebrating art, antiques and interior design in Northeast Florida. Drawing inspiration from the region’s rich history and vibrant coastal culture, the show brings together creative professionals, enthusiasts and the public for an immersive experience in design, innovation and shopping.
Established nearly 50 years ago as the Art & Antiques Show, the event has long welcomed exhibitors from across the country to share exceptional works with Jacksonville. Today, the First Coast Design Show continues to showcase these outstanding exhibitors while also highlighting the diverse talents of local and national designers.
Each year, the show features a curated selection of exhibitors, lectures and designer inspirations. Attendees will see stunning room vignettes crafted by local interior designers, impressive tablescape presentations and distinctive garden elements.
It’s also an ideal opportunity to kick off holiday shopping, with more than 30 dealers offering unique antiques, home décor, garden ware and art.
Here’s a look at the lecture series:
Caroline Gidiere — 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5 Birmingham-based interior designer Caroline Gidiere is renowned for a timeless style that blends elegance with ease. Known for creating layered, livable spaces, her work has been featured in leading design publications. Her debut book, “Interiors: A Life in Good Taste,” showcases her belief that interiors should be as inviting as they are refined.
Marshall Watson — 12:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 Celebrated for interiors that exude grace, balance and comfort, Marshall Watson brings a thoughtful eye for detail and a passion for deeply livable homes. His book, “The Art of Elegance: Classic Interiors,” reflects the refined approach that has made him one of today’s most respected voices in design.
Patrick Sutton — 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 Baltimore-based designer Patrick Sutton crafts interiors that marry drama with timeless sophistication. Drawing on a background in architecture and theatrical design, he creates immersive environments that tell a story. Named among the nation’s top designers, his work spans luxury residences, hotels and cultural spaces. His book, “Tailored Interiors,” captures his philosophy of design as narrative, where every detail builds mood, beauty and place.
Design Panel: Brittany Bromley, Tim Adams and Nellie Howard Ossi — 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 Join three celebrated designers for “The Art of Home” Design Panel, moderated by interior designer Jon Bossard of “Frederic” magazine. Brittany Bromley, author of “Relaxed Elegance: Rooms for Living Well,” is known for layered, sophisticated rooms with an effortlessly inviting ambiance. Tim Adams’s work is rooted in Colonial Revival, Shingle Style and Gilded Age traditions, reinterpreting historic precedents with authentic proportions and timeless detail. Nellie Howard Ossi’s coastal Southern roots inspire a fresh yet classic style that blends comfort and elegance; in addition to her design work, she has collaborated with Mr. & Mrs. Howard for Sherrill Furniture and launched her own line, Nellie Jane.
Beyond the spectacle of design, the First Coast Design Show has a lasting impact on the community.
Hosted by The Women’s Board to benefit Wolfson Children’s Hospital, the show advances critical pediatric care. Each year, one in five children experiences a mental health disorder, an urgent reminder of the need for continued support. Funds raised will help create an outdoor therapeutic space for patients in the hospital’s Behavioral Health Unit, ensuring access to healing sunshine, fresh air and light during treatment.
Whether you are a design professional, homeowner, student or admirer of beautiful spaces, the First Coast Design Show offers something for everyone. Attendees leave with fresh ideas and a deeper appreciation for how thoughtful design enriches everyday life.
Buy your tickets now for our black-tie gala, designer lecture series and Children’s Fashion Show spotlighting patients from Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Go to www.FirstCoastDesignShow.com or call 904-202-2886 for more information.
