Saluda Cottages 1836

Historic Flat Rock's first Designer Showhouse!

Historic Flat Rock held its first Flat Rock Designer Showhouse on August 14th through August 29, 2010. It was a huge success and the results exceeded all expectations.

Co-chairs

So many people helped to make this happen that it is impossible to name them all. The whole effort was lead by our three Co- chairs – HFR President Galen Reuther, Donna Hastie and Mary Satterfield. The Designer Showhouse was one of the most complex projects that HFR has ever undertaken. The fact that our Co chairs were able to build an effective committee, assemble a huge team of volunteers and designers, and get the design and construction work finished on schedule in just six short months was truly remarkable.

Special Thanks

Special thanks are due to Mr. & Mrs. L.C. Boyd, Jr. who graciously agreed to allow their historic property, Saluda Cottages, to be the site of Historic Flat Rock's major fund raising event of the year. Thirteen leading interior designers and two garden centers from North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia worked to transform the interior and the entrances to the house. The Café Sans Souci was open for luncheon and refreshments in the tent in front of the house.

Volunteers

The Designer House needed hundreds of volunteers. They came from all over our area and many had not previously worked with Historic Flat Rock. Chris and Mary Jane McDonnell helped in many ways and they recruited many of our volunteers including the docents who were on duty in every room on display. The Boutique had to be well staffed at all times. Our Treasurer, Ron Carland and our Past President Charles Kuykendall worked hard to help us manage all of our complex retail transactions. Bill Humleker and Tom Bullard gathered a whole group of volunteers who managed parking.

Publicity and Attendance

Carol Andrews sent out publicity all over the Southeast. We have not yet added up all the numbers but literally thousands of visitors from many nearby states came to the Showhouse over two weeks. This effort was far bigger than just Flat Rock!

Special Events - The Preview Party

The Designer Showhouse program included a series of special events. It all began with a delightful preview party on opening night. The event was by invitation only for members, friends and participating designers. Adelel Grimball was in charge of the event. She recruited a team of volunteers and provided delicious hors d’oeuvres and beverages to the large group who met in the tent on the lawn in front of the house. Needless to say, a great time was had by all!

The Historic Trees of Saluda Cottages

Master Gardner Billy Joyner conducted two special tours of the historic trees which surround Saluda Cottages. He is very knowledgeable and engaging and he made many interesting observations. It is remarkable how the original owners of the house could have managed to collect these magnificent trees and shrubs from across the country long before there was a nursery in every town!

The Gardening Lunch and Presentation by Jon Carloftis

As a special bonus during the Designer Showhouse we invited Jon Carloftis, the nationally recognized garden designer, to speak to us. An enthusiastic crowd about 175 people came to lunch and learn at Kenmure Country Club with one of the great American gardeners. Jon is a great speaker with a good sense of humor and he kept everyone’s attention. His presentation featured stunning visuals showing some of the best of the many gardens he has designed.

Jon is the author of several books, an editor and a highly regarded guest on TV programs including Martha Stewart, Oprah, HGTV and Southern Living. His presentation was followed by a delicious luncheon and a book signing and sale of his latest book, Beautiful Gardens of Kentucky.

Saluda Cottages

More information about Saluda Cottages and its history can be found on this site by clicking on the Historic Sites link on the left side of this page.