Laura Dowling Archives

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An Enchanted Noel

Featuring Le Carrousel Parisien

A whimsical centerpiece of Un Noël Enchanté, the carousel originally created by Glitterville’s Stephen Brown for the White House’s 2024 Blue Room Christmas display will be reimagined in Cheekwood’s Loggia, surrounded by festive trees, wreaths, and a magnificent vintage-style hot air balloon by Ohio artist Studio Cera Marie, evoking the romance and wonder of Belle Époque Paris.

In Collaboration with Celebrated French Houses

Collaborations with some of France’s most celebrated houses bring another dimension to the project, connecting the Mansion’s holiday transformation with living traditions of French craftsmanship, decorative arts, hospitality, and savoir-faire. Baccarat brings the brilliance of French crystal and Arcadia tableware to holiday tables and entertaining scenes throughout the Mansion. Le Meurice, the celebrated Paris palace hotel, brings the world of French hospitality into the story of Un Noël Enchanté. French antiques and furnishings specially loaned for the exhibition further enrich the Mansion’s interiors.

VIP Preview Tours of An Enchanted Noel

with Laura Dowling & Mauricio Clavero Kozlowski

November 17 | 9:30 AM November 17 | 1:30 PM

November 18 | 9:30 AM November 18 | 1:30 PM

November 19 | 9:30 AM November 19 | 1:30 PM

Join former Chief White House Floral Designer, Laura Dowling, and Paris- and Dubai-based Guest Designer, Mauricio Clavero Kozlowski, for a Behind-the-Scenes Talk & Tour of the Mansion Holiday Décor, An Enchanted Noel. Dowling and Kozlowski will share insider tips and recommendations for your own holiday décor and table settings.

Space and tickets are limited.
Member Tickets: $110
Not-Yet Member Tickets: $130

Designing Iconic Places

November 19 | 4:30 PM

Go behind-the-scenes with former Chief White House Floral Designer Laura Dowling, Paris- and Dubai-based Guest Designer Mauricio Clavero Kozlowski, and Stephen Brown, Founder of Glitterville Studios of Knoxville. Moderated by Flower magazine Editor-in-Chief Margot Shaw, the conversation offers an insider’s look at the inspiration and craftsmanship behind large-scale holiday designs.

Free for Members. Reservations Required.

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Mansion Holiday Décor Tours

November 24 – January 3 | 11 AM Daily

Explore the making of An Enchanted Noel on a special guided tour that showcases the creativity and remarkable detail woven throughout the immersive installations.

Free with Admission.

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Sweet Holiday Dreams in the Historic Mansion

About Laura Dowling

From 2009-2015, Dowling served as Chief Floral Designer for the White House. She managed the floral design for thousands of private and official White House parties, receptions, and state dinners as well as large-scale installations for the Fourth of July, Halloween, and the iconic White House Christmas. Dowling is known for her contemporary and romantic style of flower arranging that is rooted in classic French design.

Holiday Décor Mansion Tour & Afternoon Tea

December 2 – January 2

Docent-Led Tour of the Mansion | 12:45 PM
Holiday Tea at Café 29 | Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays | 1:30 – 3 PM
Holiday Marketplace | 9 AM – 3:30 PM

Treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind festive daytime visit to Cheekwood. Discover thoughtfully curated gifts at the Holiday Marketplace and charming shops then step inside the Mansion for a docent-led tour of Sweet Holiday Dreams — a breathtaking display of holiday décor designed by former Chief White House Florist Laura Dowling. To finish your day, unwind with a cozy afternoon tea featuring seasonal sweets and savory bites, the perfect ending to a merry outing.

Holiday Teas

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Lecture and Book Signing: Designing Christmas

Throughout the past year, Laura has been working behind-the-scenes in collaboration with Cheekwood staff to create the 2024 holiday mansion decor, featuring her signature lush and lively style. With an overarching theme of “Gifts of the Garden,” Laura designed room-by-room displays that complement the mansion’s architectural and decorative features. In this special lecture focused on both her design inspiration and favorite tips and techniques, Laura will share insights on her creative process, including how she conceptualized the special colors, projects and designs featured at Cheekwood this year. She’ll also describe lessons gleaned from her White House years and how she uses a few key elements to create inspiring, flexible (and achievable) holiday decor at home.

In addition to previewing the décor at the Mansion, Laura will debut her new book on Christmas decorating, Designing Christmas. The book contains practical tips and step-by-step instructions to inspire readers to incorporate holiday décor in their homes using Laura’s 10 favorite design elements and 10 different design schemes ranging from classic and sophisticated to whimsical and charming. A limited number of preview copies of Designing Christmas will be available exclusively for purchase at Cheekwood’s gift shops and at Laura’s lectures and workshops.

Designing Christmas in the White House Style & Holiday Tea Package

December 6

Celebrate the holiday season with a lineup of festive activities. Begin your day by viewing a special installation of holiday décor by former White House Florist Laura Dowling, and then attend a lecture where Dowling personally discusses her craft and gives tips on how to recreate stunning displays like the ones she created for Cheekwood. After the lecture, relax with holiday tea at Café 29.

This all-inclusive package includes:

Admission for 2 guests or 4 guests to the Gardens and the Mansion
Access for 2 guests or 4 guests to Laura Dowling’s Lecture: Designing Christmas in the White House Style at 1 PM
A table for 2 guests or 4 guests to Holiday Tea at Cafe 29 at 2 PM
Members receive their complimentary admission and their $20 discount on the lecture.

Please note: Guests should view the Laura Dowling: Gifts of the Garden Mansion decor installation prior to the lecture. Tea service will be post-lecture. Cheekwood closes at 3:30 PM.

Reserve Your Package Holiday teas

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An Enchanted Garden Topiary Tree

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Add a touch of whimsy and enchantment to your holiday decor with a garden-themed topiary tree adorned with ribbons and butterflies in vibrant hues, similar to the striking trees displayed in the Cheekwood Drawing Room this year. In this hands-on workshop, Laura will guide you through her design process for creating a table-top topiary tree featuring colorful ornaments, delicate flowers and playful butterflies – all tied together with her signature ribbon designs. You’ll learn expert techniques for creating a light, airy and whimsical tree that captures the essence of an enchanted garden.

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Designing Christmas in the White House Style

As Chief Floral Designer at the White House from 2009 – 2015, Laura created the dazzling displays that made the season memorable and delighted visitors from around the country. From the majestic Blue Room tree and charming Red Room traditions to the unique floral embellishments featured throughout the historic state rooms, Laura created festive designs that celebrated beloved Christmas and White House traditions. In this special lecture that will kick off the 2024 Cheekwood holiday season, Laura will give an overview of iconic White House Christmas moments over the years and share behind-the-scenes stories, amusing anecdotes and special tips for creating beautiful holiday displays at home.

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An Elegant “Hunt Country” Wreath

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Discover the secrets of an enchanting “Hunt Country” Christmas, as featured in this year’s Cheekwood Library display, in this special, hands-on class. Under Laura’s guidance, you’ll create a stunning holiday wreath to take home that captures the essence of the winter landscape and “hunt country” aesthetic. You’ll learn the art of combining natural elements with elegant accents, including gilded pine cones, berries and leaves – and how to make hand-crafted ribbon and moss embellishments. The “hunt country” wreath is perfect for creating a festive and long-lasting indoor or outdoor holiday display.

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Gifts of the Garden

With her theme, “Gifts of the Garden,” Dowling’s handcrafted holiday décor will celebrate the rich history and natural beauty of Cheekwood. The bright and bold displays are inspired by the 13 distinct gardens at Cheekwood, and are designed to complement the Mansion’s architectural details, while bringing the outdoors in.

About Laura Dowling

Mansion Tour & Afternoon Tea Packages

December 3 – January 3 | Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
Docent-Led Tour of the Mansion | 12:45 PM
Tea service in Café 29 | 2 – 3:30 PM

Members : $50 per attendee + complimentary Garden and Mansion admission
Not-Yet Members : $50 per attendee + Garden and Mansion admission

Treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind experience with a Docent Tour of the Mansion’s period rooms, decorated by Laura Dowling, followed by a holiday-inspired Afternoon Tea service at Café 29. Tableside service for parties of 2 or 4 includes teas steeped in holiday cheer and festive yet traditional sweet and savory bites.

Laura Dowling Gifts of the Garden Chairs
Lisa Manning | Vicki McCluggage

Hospitality Sponsor
Hyatt Place

Dining Room table décor provided by

Replacements, Ltd.

Holiday LIGHTS

is presented by

sponsored by

supported by
AWC

Event Category: Laura Dowling

An Enchanted Noel

Featuring Le Carrousel Parisien

In Collaboration with Celebrated French Houses

VIP Preview Tours of An Enchanted Noel

with Laura Dowling & Mauricio Clavero Kozlowski

Designing Iconic Places

November 19 | 4:30 PM

Mansion Holiday Décor Tours

November 24 – January 3 | 11 AM Daily

Behind-the-Scenes with Laura Dowling

More with Laura Dowling

Replacements, Ltd.

Sweet Holiday Dreams in the Historic Mansion

Behind-the-Scenes with Laura Dowling

About Laura Dowling

Holiday Décor Mansion Tour & Afternoon Tea

December 2 – January 2

More with Laura Dowling

An Enchanted Noel

Replacements, Ltd.

Lecture and Book Signing: Designing Christmas

Designing Christmas in the White House Style & Holiday Tea Package

An Enchanted Garden Topiary Tree

Designing Christmas in the White House Style

An Elegant “Hunt Country” Wreath

Gifts of the Garden

About Laura Dowling

Mansion Tour & Afternoon Tea Packages

Replacements, Ltd.