ADAC (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center) has been a nationally-recognized source for the interior design community for over 60 years. Once a market for trade professionals only, ADAC opened its doors to the public in 2012. Each spring, the Design ADAC market offers designers, architects, builders, and the general public an opportunity to get their creative juices flowing through “keynote presentations, salon-style talks, book signings, product launches, tours and more!” Registration is open now, and the event runs April 18-20, 2023. See the press release and a snapshot of the presentation schedule below, and visit www.adacatlanta.com for the full event schedule and complimentary registration.

PURSUE THE PRINCIPLES OF BALANCE AT DESIGN ADAC 2023  

Design Center Reveals Annual Market Line Up Featuring Keynote Presentations, Showroom Panels + More 

Spring Market, Presented by VERANDA, Returns in Person April 18-20 + Registration Opens March 9 

ATLANTA: Celebrate spring in Atlanta, a city blooming with optimism, April 18-20, for DESIGN ADAC! The annual spring market is the perfect reason to head south, and delight in colors that are bright and bold, feelings that are light and joyous, and inspiration that is plenty as we explore the principles of balance, the backbone of design, and the state of mind we are all seeking.  

“We are excited to usher in a new season at this year’s DESIGN ADAC,” said ADAC General Manager Katie Miner. “We’ll pursue the principles of creating balance in design and life as we explore everything from sustainable materials to travel-inspired decorating to the simple joy of design. This year is also special as architect Bobby McAlpine will be returning to his ADAC home to host a keynote presentation and signing of his book, “Romantic Modernism.” 

Explore design through a fresh new lens this spring with three days of programming spanning keynote presentations, salon-style talks, book signings, product launches, tours and more! Hear from illustrious tastemakers, captivating designers and architects, and cutting-edge innovators as DESIGN ADAC celebrates how the principles of design come together to create a world that is surprising and refreshing, customary yet unconventional, structured and precise, and ultimately balanced, just like the state of mind we’re all seeking. 

Below is a snapshot of some of the incredible keynote presentations and after-parties to expect at this year’s spring event: 

Tuesday, April 18 

·        10:00 a.m. – DRESSING THE TABLE WITH LELA ROSE | ADAC Presentation Room First Floor  

Sponsored by The Atlantan, Modern Luxury Interiors Atlanta, and Kolo Collection 

Join Modern Luxury in welcoming fashion designer, author, and lifestyle curator Lela Rose to ADAC. In this presentation, Rose will discuss her brand new tome, “Fresh Air Affairs: Entertaining with Style in the Great Outdoors” with the event’s moderator, Caroline Perrott, Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantan, Interiors Atlanta, and Weddings Atlanta. Set up among a tablescape creation by Rose exclusively for this event and inspired by the creative entertainment spaces in her book, the pair will discuss the joy of entertaining outdoors in a variety of different climates, with Rose sharing her secrets to designing the perfect table and looking good while doing it.  

Join Rose and Perrott after the lively presentation at the Kolo Collection showroom for hors d’oeuvresand a meet-and-greet with the talented fashion designer. Rose will also be signing copies of her book. Kolo Collection, Suite 321 

·        1:00 p.m. – RESTAURANT DESIGN: RETURN OF THE MAX | ADAC Presentation Room First Floor  

Sponsored by Atlanta Magazine’s HOME, Atlanta Magazine, and German Kitchen Center    

Floral motifs, bright colors, bold patterns – in today’s restaurant design, more is more. The long trend of industrial chic has started to fade, opening new, creative doors for designers and restaurateurs. Join Betsy Riley, Editor-in-Chief of Atlanta Magazine and Atlanta Magazine’s HOME, and a panel of design experts to learn about the inspirations, challenges, and rewards of their recent hospitality projects. Panelists include award-winning designers Smith Hanes, Vivian Bencich, and Michael Habachy, as well as interior designer-turned-restaurateur Tamar Telahun.  

Following the presentation, cook up inspiration at German Kitchen Center with Hanes, Bencich, Habachy, Telahun, and Riley.  German Kitchen Center will be showcasing Contino 12, a new handle-less kitchen front collection from LEICHT.  Discover how the elegant appearance of Contino 12 can enhance the appearance of any modern kitchen over light bites and lively conversation.  German Kitchen Center, Suite 208 

·        3:00 p.m. – THEN & NOW: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF ATLANTA STYLE | ADAC Presentation Room First Floor  

Sponsored by Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles and Peacock Alley   

Feeling lost in the shuffle of constantly changing design trends? In celebration of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles’ 40th anniversary, Editor-in-Chief Lauren Iverson sits down with Atlanta design staples Carole Weaks of C. Weaks Interiors, Lauren DeLoach of Lauren DeLoach Interiors, and Devin Taylor of Devin Taylor Designs to discuss the city’s luxury design blueprint throughout the decades. Preserving the city’s rich history through their work while keeping a keen eye toward the future, these celebrated designers reminisce on classic design trends from years passed and share their forecast for the next 40 years of Atlanta style. 

Join Iverson and panelists Weaks, DeLoach, and Taylor in the Peacock Alley showroom following the discussion for sips and light bites. While in the showroom, get inspiration on how to dress your own home in style with Peacock Alley’s latest luxurious offerings.  Peacock Alley, ADAC West, Suite A6 

Wednesday, April 19 

·        10:00 a.m. – CREATIVE RENEWAL WITH ARCHITECT BOBBY MCALPINE | ADAC Presentation Room First Floor  

Sponsored by VERANDA and Sutherland & Perennials   

Architect Bobby McAlpine has pioneered a singular design precedent that merges modernism and classicism and stands the test of time. And yet innovation and inquiry are the seeds from which his body of work has flourished for nearly 40 years. In conversation with VERANDA Executive Editor Ellen McGauley, the prolific architect explores not only the necessity of creative reinvention in his own work, but how leaning into our own contradictions keeps our ideas fresh and how our homes can become revealing memoirs. 

Following the presentation, join McAlpine and McGauley at the Sutherland & Perennials Studio for a reception. Known for being leaders in the international design industry, Sutherland Perennials Studio invites you to discover its influential offering of products while McAlpine signs copies of his book, “Romantic Modernism.”  Sutherland & Perennials Studio, Suite 227 

·        1:00 p.m. – BUILDING A STRONG DESIGN BRAND | ADAC Presentation Room First Floor  

Sponsored by VERANDA and Fabricut  

Whether building a firm from the ground up or determining the wisest paths of growth and creative investment, defining a strong brand brings a trove of key decisions. For this enlightening panel, VERANDA Executive Editor Ellen McGauley welcomes architect John Ike, founding partner of legendary firm Ike Kligerman Barkley and most recently, Ike Baker Velten; interior designer and Woodard CEO Jean Liu; and Benjamin Johnston, partner and creative director of Benjamin Johnston Designto talk about pivotal issues from developing marketing materials to investing in a public relations firm. 

Following the presentation, join Ike, Liu, Johnston, and McGauley at the Fabricut showroom for a reception and to view Fabricut’s latest collections, including Vacanza by Benjamin Johnston for S. Harris.  Fabricut, Suite 307 

Thursday, April 20 

·        10:00 a.m. – THE POWER OF ELEGANCE IN MODERN DESIGN | ADAC Presentation Room First Floor  

Sponsored by VERANDA and Cowtan & Tout   

Decorating titan Alex Papachristidis joins VERANDA Editor-in-Chief Steele Marcoux for an intimate conversation that ranges from gracious entertaining to the role of fine art. 

Following the presentation, join Papachristidis and Marcoux at the Cowtan & Tout showroom for a reception and book signing. Cowtan & Tout is the perfect place to be inspired through timeless and elegant design. Copies of Papachristidis’ book “The Elegant Life” and “VERANDA at Home in the South” will be available for purchase and signing.  Cowtan & Tout, Suite 225

·        1:00 p.m. – THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF JOY IN DESIGN | ADAC Presentation Room First Floor  

Sponsored by VERANDA and Made Goods 

Wonder and warmth are shared virtues of the most well-designed houses and gardens, speaking to the senses in a way that transcends aesthetic beauty. In this lively panel with interior designer Darren Henault, kitchen designer Caren Rideau, and landscape designer Fernando Wong, VERANDA Editor-in-Chief Steele Marcoux explores the ways we build authenticity and exuberance into projects, from embracing collections to designing for year-round garden living. 

Following the presentation, join Henault, Rideau, Wong, and Marcoux for a reception in the Made Goods Showroom. We invite you to meet the panelists and Marcoux while viewing Made Goods’ latest collections.  Made Goods, Suite 403 

DESIGN ADAC is hosted in partnership with VERANDA, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta Magazine’s HOME, Modern Luxury Interiors Atlanta and Modern Luxury’s The Atlantan. 

For media interested in interviewing any of the keynote speakers or Katie Miner, please email Tara Murphy at tara@360media.net. Photography available upon request. Follow along on social media at @adacatlanta or #DESIGNADAC.  

ABOUT ADAC: Built 60 years ago by renowned architect and developer John Portman in the prestigious Buckhead community of Atlanta, ADAC (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center) is a community-focused, nationally recognized leader in the world of interior design and home fashion, serving as the essential one-stop shopping resource for interior designers, architects, and builders. In November 2018, ADAC was acquired by International Market Centers (IMC) and parent company Blackstone, the world’s largest operator of premier showroom space for the furnishings, home décor and gift industries. The ADAC campus consists of ADAC and ADAC WEST with more than 550,000 square feet with over 25 design offices and more than 65 showrooms offering 1,200 of the industry’s finest product lines including furniture, fabric, rugs, lighting, accessories, floor and wall coverings, antiques, fine art and framing, kitchens, bath, tile and stone, and home theater products. Likewise, ADAC’s extensive services include custom designs such as framing, electronic systems, faux finishing, and draperies. To learn more, visit www.adacatlanta.com. Follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram