Design Seminar

May 2-3, 2025 Winston-Salem, NC

In Perfect Harmony:
A MESDA Design Seminar

May 2-3, 2025

Moderated by J. Thomas Savage, MESDA’s longtime Design Seminar host and the Director of Educational Travel & Conferences at Colonial Williamsburg, this program brings together notable architects, designers, and gardeners to share the latest trends in design, and how they create harmony between a home, garden, and a space’s history.

During the Saturday program, we’ll hear from Lady Xa Tollemache, Author of A Garden Well Placed, about her experiences designing the gardens at Helmingham Hall while remaining in harmony with the home. We’ll then learn from Charlottesville-based interior designer Charlotte Moss, author and editor of over a dozen books and star of the American interior design world, about how to create layered yet functional spaces in a southern home. Finally, interior designer and architect Steven Gambrel, part of the Architectural Digest’s AD100 in 2023, will share how he creates modern interiors rooted in tradition. The day will close out with a book signing.

PROGRAM REGISTRATION (Opening 1/20)

Individual Ticket Seating for one at the Saturday program and luncheon Ticket includes a complimentary Friends of MESDA membership for each participant ($60 value)	*$360 ($350 Frank L. Horton Society)**
Patron Ticket Invitation to an exclusive cocktail reception with the program speakers on Friday, May 2nd Preferred seating for one at the Saturday program and luncheon Ticket includes a complimentary Friends of MESDA membership for each participant ($60 value)	*$460 ($450 Frank L. Horton Society)**
Reserved Table Host One table with seating for eight at the Saturday program and luncheon Table includes complimentary Friends of MESDA membership ($60 value) for each participant	$2500
Patron Table Host Invitations for eight to an exclusive cocktail reception with the program speakers on Friday, May 2nd Preferred seating for eight at the Saturday program and luncheon Tables includes complimentary Friends of MESDA membership ($60 value) for each participant	$3300

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

	Xa Tollemache learned how to garden and how to design gardens at her home, Helmingham Hall, in Suffolk. She set up her garden design practice in 1996. One of the very first gardens she designed as a professional was the Evening Standard garden for the 1997 Chelsea Flower Show – for which she won a Gold Medal. She has gone on to to design gardens all over the UK, in Europe, and in the US as well as winning many other awards, including two more Chelsea Flower Show medals and the HHA/Christies Garden of the Year Award.  She has also designed a range of garden furniture including the Helmingham Collection and the Helmingham Rose Support. She is currently a member of the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society, chair of the Gardens Committee and an RHS Judge. Xa Tollemache describes her first book A Garden Well Placed: The Story of Helmingham and Other Gardens, as a story book. She remarked, “It is the tale of the love story between me and the garden at Helmingham.” It is also a record of her career as a garden designer, exemplified by eleven other gardens, large and small, on which she has worked her design magic.
	With over 37 years in the business of design, Charlotte Moss is known for her timeless aesthetic, layered interiors, southern warmth, and keen eye. She has received numerous honors, including the New York School of Interior Design’s Centennial Medal, The Royal Oak Foundation’s Timeless Design award and is named one of Elle Décor’s Grand Master List of Top Designers. Charlotte has two honorary doctorates from New York School of Interior Design and Virginia Commonwealth University, her alma mater. Charlotte lectures widely and is a prolific author, having published eleven books to date. Her latest, Charlotte Moss Flowers (Rizzoli, 2021) and Home: A Celebration: Notable Voices Reflect on the Meaning of Home (Rizzoli, 2021) benefit No Kid Hungry. Of all her work, philanthropy plays an important role in her life. Charlotte is Emerita Trustee of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello, on the Board of The Bone Marrow Foundation, and works with American Corporate Partners where she mentors veterans. She also serves on the boards of The Order of Saint John, The Madoo Conservancy, and the International Council of Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens.
	Steven Gambrel is the founder and president of S.R. Gambrel, Inc., an influential interior design firm specializing in both residential and commercial commissions, as well as custom product and furnishings. Having founded S.R. Gambrel, Inc. in 1996, only three years after earning a degree in architecture from the University of Virginia, Steven has been recognized for his endless dedication to creating highly customized interiors and architectural details for each project. Whether he is designing a polished uptown duplex, a rambling country house, or a weekend beach retreat, Steven serves the needs of each client with his passion for timeless, comfortable homes that improve with age. He draws inspiration from vernacular architectural details of the particular region of each commission. Steven subscribes to the importance of properly proportioned structures and details, partnered always with a carefully curated collection of vintage, antique, and custom furniture designed by Steven himself. S.R. Gambrel’s work is featured consistently in the world’s leading publications, including World of Interiors, Architectural Digest, Town and Country, House Beautiful, Galerie, New York Magazine, the New York Times, and Elle Décor. S.R. Gambrel, Inc. has been repeatedly honored as one of “today’s greatest talents in Architecture and Design”, in Architectural Digest’s “AD 100.” Steven Gambrel’s first book, entitled Time and Place, was released by Abrams in March, 2012. His second book with Rizzoli, entitled Perspective, was released in Fall 2018.
	J. Thomas Savage is Director of Educational Travel and Conferences at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Tom’s lifelong passion for country estates and extraordinary collections has led him around the world in pursuit of those with refined taste and style. A native of the South, Tom has been Director of External Affairs at the Winterthur Museum, was Senior Vice President of Sotheby’s Institute of Art, and served as Curator and director of museums for the Historic Charleston Foundation.

SCHEDULE

The 2025 MESDA Design Seminar will take place in the
James A. Gray, Jr. Auditorium
Old Salem Visitor Center
900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem, NC

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FRIDAY, May 2, 2025

6:00 pm		Cocktail Reception Enjoy a special opportunity to mix with fellow program attendees over libations and hors d’oeuvres.

SATURDAY, May 3, 2025

9:15 am		Seminar check-in and Book Sales Concourse, Old Salem Visitor Center 900 Old Salem Road Winston-Salem, NC 27101

10:00 am		Welcome & New to the Collections Johanna Brown Chief Curator & Director of Collections, Research, & Archaeology Old Salem Museums & Gardens Winston-Salem, NC

		Introductions J. Thomas Savage Director of Educational Travel & Conferences Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Williamsburg, Virginia

10:30 am		A Garden Well Placed: A Designer’s Harmony Between House and Garden Lady Xa Tollemache Principal Designer and Owner Xa Tollemache Stowmarket, England

11:45 am		Creating Layered Interiors Charlotte Moss Principal Designer and Owner Charlotte Moss & Co. Charlottesville, Virginia

12:45 pm		Luncheon

1:45 pm		Homes Rooted in History & Place Steven Gambrel Founder and President S.R. Gambrel, Inc. New York, New York

2:45 pm		Book Signing with Speakers Books available to purchase will include: A Garden Well Placed: The Story of Helmingham and Other Gardens by Xa Tollemache, Home: A Celebration edited by Charlotte Moss, Perspective by Steven Gambrel

TRAVEL DETAILS

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The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts is one of the museums at Old Salem Museums & Gardens. MESDA is located in the Frank L. Horton Museum Center at 924 S. Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Seminar lectures will take place in the James A. Gray Auditorium at the Old Salem Visitor Center at 900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Seminar Hotels:

Kimpton Cardinal Hotel
51 East Fourth St Winston-Salem, NC 27101 877-216-3448
Group Name: MESDA Design Seminar or Click to book here!
Last day to book: April 1
– Other recommended hotels:
The Zevely Inn Bed and Breakfast 803 South Main Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 1-336-748-9299

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PROGRAM PRESENTED TO THE COMMUNITY BY

WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT PROVIDED BY

Mrs. Roger P. Hanahan

CANCELLATION POLICY

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Registrants who cancel at least two weeks prior to a program will receive a full refund minus a $50 handling fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations that occur fewer than two weeks prior to the event.

–INCLEMENT WEATHER

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The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts follows the inclement weather policies of Old Salem Museums & Gardens. When OSMG is closed, the museum is closed as well. Should this occur, the seminar will be cancelled and refunds will be issued. For your own protection, please consider travel insurance to cover fees involved with cancelling hotel reservations.