Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/8/24

Christina Dandar of the Potted Boxwood to Moderate Panel with Interior Designers Phoebe Howard, Melanie Millner of The Design Atelier & Ashley Gilbreath, & Architect John Plaster

Tour of Homes Will Feature Design by John Plaster, Lelia Pratt, Melanie Millner, & Phoebe Howard

Argonne Road Home | Photo Credit: Emily Followill 

Cathedral Giving By Design will return to Atlanta on January 24-25, 2025, for its third annual fundraiser, following last year’s sold-out event. Building on the 50-year legacy of the former Cathedral Antiques Show, January’s weekend event will be a design and entertainment showcase offering a suite of events including a welcome party, live auction, design panel with interior designers and an architect, and tour of homes designed to inspire. Proceeds will support 2025’s Atlanta-based beneficiary Wellspring Living, which provides domestic sex trafficking victims and those at risk (ages 12+) with comprehensive, trauma-informed, victim-centered recovery services through residential programs, community-based programs, and post-program support. The event will support the construction of three welcoming and healing tiny homes on the campus of Wellspring Living to support survivors of sex trafficking and their children, while they receive therapeutic care.

On Friday, January 24, the celebration of home and hospitality will kick off with a welcome party at the Cathedral of St. Philip featuring live music, hors d’oeuvres and dinner, cocktails, and a live auction. The design-focused events will follow on Saturday with a design panel titled “Beyond the Front Door: Trends in Decorating, Lifestyle & Entertaining,” where acclaimed interior designers from around the Southeast will invite attendees into their world of design as they explore their knowledge and perspective in bringing beauty to the personal space. Featured panelists are interior designers Melanie Millner of The Design Atelier, Phoebe Howard, Ashley Gilbreath, and architect John Plaster. Christina Dandar, of The Potted Boxwood, returns again this year to moderate the lively discussion.   

Following the panel on Saturday, attendees can see these concepts brought to life as they immerse themselves in a tour of exceptionally decorated homes, including:

• Argonne Road – a Buckhead home originally built in 1938 with recent renovations by T. Blake Segars, interiors by Leila Pratt Interiors & landscape by Alex Smith Garden Design

• Habersham Road – built in 1938 with updated design and renovations by Phoebe Howard and T. Blake Segars, and landscape by Carson McElheney

• Ardmore Park – the 1925 English Arts & Crafts style home of Architect John Plaster in historic Ardmore Park that was originally built in 1928 and underwent recent renovations and interiors by architect John Plaster and landscape by Carson McElheney 

• Paces Ridge – located near the banks of the Chattahoochee River and originally built in 2002 by William T. Baker with interiors by Melanie Millner of The Design Atelier and landscape including stunning gardens made for outdoor entertaining, lovingly cared for and updated by Carson McElheney

Whether patrons are design-curious or decor aficionados, they are sure to be inspired by the chic and stylish exhibition. All ticket sales and donations garnered from the festivities will go to the 2025 beneficiary, Wellspring Living, founded in 2001 and headquartered in Grant Park. Each of Wellspring Living’s programs utilizes a multi-disciplinary service model to provide transformative care through three service pillars: housing, healing, and education. The focus for each participant is on developing their courage to move forward and their confidence to succeed. Wellspring Living is a leader in the nation for residential care and through the Wellspring Living Institute is able to educate, train, and mentor organizations around the world. 

Cathedral Giving by Design was formerly known as the Cathedral Antiques Show, a beloved event produced by the Episcopal Church Women of the Cathedral of St. Philip for over 50 years. Now for its third year, the new event pivots off the tradition of building community and celebrating design, and aims to increase funds raised with a refreshed approach. The 2024 Cathedral Giving By Design celebration raised over $498,000 for the Boyce L. Ansley School with three completely sold out events. The Cathedral looks forward to serving the Atlanta community with the charitable celebration of home and hospitality for a third year. 

For more information, including information on how to join The Design Circle or become a corporate sponsor or patron, please visit www.cathedralgivingbydesign.org or email info@cathedralgivingbydesign.org.