When the Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville announced “American Elegance” as the theme for its 2026 show, it only made sense that the look would be guided by fabric partner Kravet, the classic legacy of Ralph Lauren, and a team of designers, landscape architects and volunteers who transform the Music City Center each year in a matter of days.
For 2026, that team includes Nashville-based interior designers Stephanie Sabbe of Sabbe Interior Design as the 2026 Stage Designer, and Roger Higgins of R. Higgins Interiors as the 2026 Entrance Designer.
“It’s incredibly satisfying, and it lets you know that after you’ve been doing this for 30 years, maybe it’s been noticed,” Higgins said. “Nashville has a history of some great design, and that needs to be played up, not ignored, because of the flash that’s happening right now.”
Still, the amount of work that goes into such a high-profile but short-lived display is immense. And intense.
“Getting all of those elements lined up quickly, then installed in three days, it’s kind of a lot,” said Higgins, who is partnering with David Skinner Antiques and Period Lighting for his installation. “But, you have all these people willing to help, which is wonderful.”
Sabbe had a bit of an idea of what she was getting into because last year’s stage designer, Rachel Halverson, is one of her best friends. Plus, the theme of American Elegance appealed to her design aesthetic.
“This is an easy style fit for me because I already do that kind of traditional, Ralph Lauren vibes,” she says.
To prepare, Sabbe is recovering collected pieces of antique furniture in Kravet fabric. At the MBA Art Show in November she met artist Parker Williams, commissioning him to create a George Washington portrait in what she describes as his Wes Anderson style.
“And, we’re pulling in a big historic fireplace that I’ve had in storage, and I have an antique, cane-back sofa in front of that,” she said.
The 2025 show drew more than 17,000 attendees for the 150 antiques, art and horticulture dealers, immersive garden showcases, live music and special events. Chairing the forthcoming event are Paula Kinard and Phyllis Vandewater, close friends and creative collaborators who have years of joint community involvement.
Additionally, renowned designer, author, entrepreneur and philanthropist Bunny Williams and her business partner Elizabeth Lawrence will return as honorary co-chairs.
Sabbe and Higgins are not the only local designers working on the look of the show. Cheekwood will once again greet attendees with the entry exhibition garden, designed by Cheekwood’s team of gardeners. And, the lead landscape designer on the East Garden is Gavin Duke of Duke Design Group, while Nature’s Best, an award-winning garden center in Middle Tennessee, will design the West Garden.
“I think it’s a very generous idea to incorporate us,” Sabbe said. “The speakers all tend to be from out of town, and while it’s super popular and we get people from all over, it doesn’t really directly bring attention to Nashville designers unless they have a booth. I love what Vintage Millworks has done over the years, and Anne Daigh’s display last year was out of this world, insane. I just think it’s great for them to think of other ways to incorporate us into the whole show, because it’s the biggest design event we have here.”
