Hickory – Tickets are now on sale for Hickory Landmarks Society’s 25th Annual Romance of the Home and Garden Tour. Seven homes, and/or gardens are featured on the tour. All will be opened to the public on Saturday May 18 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Homes and gardens are grouped in easily accessible areas around the city. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Romance of the Home and Garden Tour, Hickory Landmarks Society is privileged to have a nationally known speaker appearing on Friday evening, May 17. John Gidding, architect and designer from TLC’s Trading Spaces, will give a presentation called “Living in Art: How to Position Art in the Home.”

This year’s tour features a variety of homes which date from 1915 to 1958. Sites include the Dr. Hunsucker Office built in 1952 and later adapted to a single-family dwelling; the unique mid-century Vernon Mahaffey house and stunning lake front garden. The Kenworth Historic District is represented by the grand Neo-Colonial Kennedy-Setzer house and the John N. Bohannon House, a 1920’s bungalow with unique features and decor. The Charles H. Geitner house and guest house, in the Oakwood neighborhood, provide a showcase for traditional architecture in a serene garden setting.

John Gidding was born in Istanbul to a Greek mother and an American father, and has been splitting time between Asia, Europe and the USA ever since. Drawing, music and art were his earliest passions and he spent his formative years pursuing all three, finally majoring in Architecture at Yale. Upon receiving a masters degree in Architecture from the Harvard School of Design, John embarked upon a career that encompassed design, illustration, architecture, television and public speaking.

Today, John concentrates on the applications of art in interior design on TLC’s “Trading Spaces”, taking on private commissions for residential and furniture design, art in situ and continues to play the piano. Best known for his television appearances, Gidding hosted Curb Appeal: The Block (HGTV) for 6 seasons providing makeovers that made the entryways of homes show-place ready. He also created sleek and interesting rooms on Designed to Sell (HGTV) from 2006-2011. Most recently he is one of the designers on the reboot of Trading Spaces on TLC and a frequent guest on The Rachael Ray Show. He also travels the country speaking at events and home shows.

Tickets for both days are $50 and include the Friday presentation and refreshments and the Saturday tour and breakfast. Tickets for the Saturday tour only are $25 in advance and may be purchased at Maple Grove (542 2nd Street NE), Adrienne’s Boutique (1001 2nd St. NE), Bottega (262 1st Ave. NW), Bumblebees Interiors (2945 N. Center St.), Jenny’s Gifts and Accessories (436 Main Ave. NW), The Sally Company(323 2nd St. NW), and Lowe’s Foods at Belle Hollow (3010 North Center Street) and Lowe’s Foods Viewmont (260 14th Ave. NE). Tickets will be available on the Saturday of the tour for $30.00.

For ticket information and telephone orders call the Hickory Landmarks Society at (828) 322-4731. Tickets can be purchased online at www.hickorylandmarks.org where complete information about the sites and speaker can be found.

Participants are provided with a map, driving directions and clear signage to find the tour sites located within a 10-mile radius of Maple Grove Museum Historic House Museum.

Special thanks to the sponsors of the 25th Annual Romance of the Home and Garden Tour: Mosquito Authority, B. W. Mitchum Trucking Co., Catawba Valley Medical Center, Allegra Print and Imaging, Hickory Furniture Mart, Graystone Eye, Wells-Fargo Advisors, Turf Pro, Van Johnson, Painting & Repairs, CertaPro Painters, L & L Catering and It’s My Party Rentals.

The Hickory Landmarks Society is a funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County.

John Gidding
Mahaffey House