50th Anniversary Hinsdale Antiques Show September 11, 2008

Antiques lovers, shoppers, browsers and designers are invited to the 50th Anniversary Hinsdale Antiques Show, “Celebrate!” This milestone event takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12, 13 and 14, 2008, at The Community House in Hinsdale, 415 W. Eighth St., Hinsdale, Ill.

The Hinsdale Antiques Show is the longest-running show of its kind in the region, and it is renowned for attracting the country's very best exhibitors in period English, continental, American and oriental pieces. With 49 years of history, the show has made its mark in presenting 1800s and 1900s furniture and accessories for today's classic-eclectic decor. Collectors may also find antique, estate and tomorrow's classic jewelry pieces. Each collection is screened for authenticity and integrity.

Co-chaired by Regina Melbourne and Carole Quick, both of Hinsdale, the show runs from:

10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14

Preliminary peek

In addition to the three day show, a gala Preview Party will take place from 7 - 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11. Sponsored by Harris Bank, this elegant event is chaired by Sally Porter and Ly Hotchkin and catered by Chicago’s Calihan Catering which, again in 2007, won the prestigious Jean Banchet Award for Best Chicago Caterer.

Preview Party guests have first buying opportunities the night before the show opening, and reservations currently are being taken. Also at the Preview Party, a champagne reception for platinum patrons, community partners and exhibitors will take place from 6 – 7 p.m.

“We appreciate that, for the first time ever,” said Theresa Forthofer, executive director of The Community House in Hinsdale, “many of our exhibitors are generously donating 10 percent of their preview evening sales back to The Community House to support our valued programs.”

What’s new?

Show attendees will find a new floor plan configuration of the entire show.

“It has become customary for guests to walk into the show and find their favorite exhibitor in his or her traditional space,” said Regina Melbourne, co-chair. “In this anniversary year, with the support of many women who chaired before us and with the staff exhibitors’ cooperation, we have been guided in shaking up the show floor plan. The entire show will have a fresh new look and feel while adding many components that the public has been seeking.”

An exciting addition to the show is the second floor decorative design vignette, built by Sebesta Builders, crafted artistically by faux artist Caryn Akins and trompe l'oeil artist Robert Ryan, window dressing by Les Tissus Colbert of La Grange, base paint by Frank Solecki with London’s Farrow and Ball paint product and guided in design by Marilyn Akins and Mary Ann Herring.

The furniture and accessories of the vignette will change daily, coordinated by the Attic committee members. (The Attic, a retail shop, sells furniture, accessories and wares donated by the community and priced very reasonably.) Garden exhibitors are also new to the anniversary show.

Dallas designer Cathy Kincaid

Designer Cathy Kincaid from Dallas, Texas, will speak on “Livable Luxury: The Art of Making a House a Home” at the very popular speaker’s luncheon, at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12.

“Discuss Dallas and interior design, and Cathy Kincaid's name is soon mentioned,” said author and psychiatrist Dr. Brian Coleman. “Known for her beautiful interiors in Dallas and around the country, I was fortunate to be able to include several in my book "Farrow & Ball: The Art of Color.”

Kincaid is considered a leading designer of the South, known for her intricate design detail. Educated at Texas Christian University with post graduate work at the prestigious firm of Minton & Corley in Fort Worth, Kincaid has designed with John Aston Perkins, legendary designer for many prominent Texas families. Named one of “Best Decorators” in Dallas by D Home for the past three years, Kincaid is a frequent contributor to Southern Accents and other prestigious design publications.

“Comfortable, calm and sophisticated, her forte is her eye for color,” Dr. Coleman said. “Her expert weaving of tones gives rooms a common thread with unexpected and exciting accents.”

“Cathy Kincaid has a remarkable ability to help her listeners visualize a space and then to sense what her suggested options will do to change both aesthetic and function,” said Bill Walker, proprietor of Barley Twist in Oak Park, IL. “Those fortunate enough to hear her will walk away with a richer understanding of design and a more critical eye.”

The reservations-only luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m., and Kincaid will speak from 12:30 -1:15 p.m. Following the talk, a book signing by both Kincaid and Coleman will take place from 1:15 -1:45 p.m. The book will be for sale but is not included in the luncheon price.

Complimentary design events

A furniture restoration presentation will take place from 10 – 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, in Kettering Hall and repeated from 10 – 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, in the Field House. Bill Belmonte of Best Way in Hodgkins, IL and Tom Wisshack of Oak Park, IL will be on hand for consultations with sample furniture pieces displayed at varying stages of restoration.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, well known designers will present talks on a variety of topics related to interior design. All talks are complimentary to Antiques Show guests.

1 – 1:30 p.m.
Dr. Brian Coleman - “The Psychology of Color” - Dr. Coleman will use Power Point to discuss and demonstrate the ways color can alter mood and create a particular ambiance in a room. His book, “Farrow and Ball: The Art of Color” will be available for sale with a personalized autograph.

1:30 – 2 p.m.
Anthony Stavis - "It's about the Mix! Incorporating Antiques with Modern Design” One doesn’t need Victorian décor to implement antiques. Today, antiques blend beautifully with modern décor, and Tony will provide insight and information using Power Point on blends that yield stunning results.

2 – 2:30 p.m.
Mary Anne Herring - “Recipe for a New Collector: Start with a table, then add a touch of blue and white, and a dash of majolica…” Mary Anne will set a gorgeous table that show off collections large and small. For example, Herring will use antique linens and her personal napkin rings which she has been collecting worldwide for 40 years. She urges: “Keep it simple. Start a unique collection when you’re young.

2:30 – 3 p.m.
Shary Akins and Marilyn Akins - "Keeping Antiques Young…Nothing Stodgy!" This mother and daughter design team will talk about using antiques in a happy and cheerful setting. The last thing anyone wants is for a room to look dowdy, and it doesn’t have to. It’s all about color and fabrics and about how to “layer” accessories. Marilyn will bring fabrics to show what she means, and she’ll use antiques from the show’s exhibitors.

3:30-4:30 p.m.
David Lindquist- “Antique Furniture Analysis: How to examine and value each piece” This interactive discussion will include taking a look at chests, tables and chairs for pointers on authenticating and evaluating pieces. Questions such as: “How do you tell if a chair 18th century?" "Did that table always have that top?” will be addressed.

Afternoon tea and/or gospel music

New this year is an Afternoon Traditional Tea from 2 - 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. Each designed tea table will have its own unique and beautiful “personality,” and a harpist from the West Suburban Symphony will add an elegant touch. Jean True Catering will provide delectable light finger foods to accompany freshly brewed tea for a relaxing afternoon reprieve between shopping and lectures.

An event for the entire family, the Sunday Champagne Gospel Brunch, is planned for 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 14. The inspiring and spirited music of Bryant Jones and Chosen of Chicago’s House of Blues will provide memorable entertainment. Jones and his singers have traveled extensively both in the United States and Europe, performing for enthusiastic audiences everywhere. Soulful food and interactive participation will spice things up.

Featuring fragrance and memories

A long standing tradition of the Hinsdale Antiques Show is fresh flowers suffusing each exhibitor's booth. The seasonal blooms have been clipped from the renowned Hinsdale gardens of Mary Grace Burke, Susan Beard and Johanna Vernick, and others. Volunteers then create stunning arrangements which are given to each exhibitor as a thank you. This year, Phillips Flowers has generously offered to supplement the florals.

“In recognition of the 50th milestone,” said Carole Quick, co-chair, “a specially created Memory Hall will display photos and memorabilia from a half century of successful antiques shows. We know guests will enjoy this aspect of the show.”

The Antiques Café and Coffee Shop will be open all three days of the show to revive shoppers and browsers with food and beverages.

Antiques Show ticket prices are as follows:

Admission - $10 (One ticket is good for all three days of the show.);

Preview Party - $125 through Aug. 31; $150 starting Sept. 1

Elegant Friday luncheon with speaker Cathy Kincaid - $55 per person / $600 for a premium table of eight;

Saturday afternoon tea - $20

Sunday Gospel Brunch - $45 per person / $15 for children under 10 / $500 for a premium table of eight.

Proceeds from the Hinsdale Antiques Show benefit The Community House, a not-for-profit agency providing counseling, education, recreation and volunteer opportunities for eight communities in the western suburbs of Chicago – Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Westmont, and Willowbrook.

"Income from the annual Antiques Show represents approximately 25 percent of the total fundraising support for The Community House," said Heather Graves, development director of The Community House.

“The Community House is the mortar that holds together the bricks of the community,” said Life Trustee Fred Krehbiel. “It’s the only organization in the area that reaches out to the full spectrum of people.”

Tickets to the 50th Anniversary Hinsdale Antiques Show are available online at http://www.HinsdaleAntiquesShow.org. For more information, call 630-323-7500.

The Community House in Hinsdale: building community
through excellence and innovation in socially relevant programs.

Official Website: http://www.HinsdaleAntiquesShow.org