The Brits are Coming! Newport Design Week returns for second year

This year’s theme focuses on British influences and festivities will include seminars, luncheons, and cocktail parties

Newport Design Week returns in June for its second installment, this year celebrating all things British under a thematic banner of “The Brits are coming!” The event was launched last August by Anne Fairfax of Fairfax & Sammons Architects and Carol Swift of Swift-Morris Interiors. Fairfax and Swift crossed paths several years ago at Nantucket by Design, an event that celebrates art, design, and history. It gave both women the idea of hosting a similar event in Newport, where there is much design history and inspiration to be found.

Fairfax has a background in classical architecture and with her husband, Richard Sammons, has worked at their firm for more than 30 years; she’s based between New York City and Palm Beach, Fla., with summers spent in Newport.

“For us, it’s a visual feast of architecture,” Fairfax says of the City-by-the-Sea, “all of the greats are represented within walking distance of our house.”

Swift has run Swift-Morris Interiors since 1983, when she launched the business with English cabinet-maker Neil Morris. She has a storefront on Mill Street in Newport.

In addition to their love for design, architecture, and Newport, both women share an affinity for sailing: “It’s another one of our in-sync loves,” says Swift.

“I met an enthusiastic partner in my friend Carol Swift, ”Fairfax says of her collaborator. The two have created an event that celebrates design excellence and focuses on the historical, as well as the business, aspects of design. “It’s for professionals who really want to know more and dive into the subjects,” explains Fairfax.

“We didn’t want it to just be a ‘ladies who lunch’ event,” adds Swift.

They established a committee, which this year includes Anne Foxley of Anne Foxley Interiors, Meg Braff of Meg Braff Design, and Christopher Hyland of Christopher Hyland Inc.

Organizers have assembled a slate of 18 speakers, presenting on a range of topics, all connected to the theme, which was inspired by America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations.

“Everyone is excited to come to Newport,” says Fairfax, noting that several people are “crossing the pond” to participate in the festivities, which will take place from June 18-21, with the Newport Art Museum and Salve Regina University’s Ochre Court serving as backdrops.

The week kicks-off on Wednesday June 18 at the Art Museum with an afternoon lecture on the “History of British Influence on American Design,” presented by Paul Miller, director of the Clouds Hill Museum in Warwick and curator emeritus of the Preservation Society of Newport County.

That will be followed by “Once Upon a Diamond: A Family Tradition of Royal Jewels,” presented by Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, a gemologist and founder and director of the Prince Dimitri Company. Immediately following his talk, he will be presented with this year’s Hyland Award, bestowed by Christopher Hyland.

The festivities officially commence that evening with an Opening Night cocktail party from 6-8 p.m.

The event moves to Ochre Court for the rest of the week. There are three presentations scheduled for the morning of Thursday June 19, followed by a break for lunch and three lectures in the afternoon. Topics of the day range from “British and American Textile Design” to “The British Country House Unveiled.”

There are four presentations scheduled Friday morning, June 20, including a luncheon pairing tea sandwiches with a masterclass on “English Elegance and Ease,” led by Nina Campbell and Jenn Talbott. That will be followed with an opportunity to attend the Newport Flower Show’s opening reception at Rosecliff that evening. And on Saturday, curated small group tours of the Preservation Society’s Newport
Mansions and Gardens, as well as admission to its annual Flower Show will be available.

For Fairfax and Swift, much of the event’s appeal is drawing world-class designers to Newport, some for the first time, and making them aware of all the design history hidden among the various estates.

“You can come here and discuss architecture of every era,” says Fairfax. “Not every small community has such an intact ensemble of buildings.”

“Newport has been very important to design,” agrees Swift, to which Fairfax adds: “What other locale has a venue like Ochre Court?”

For more information about Newport Design Week, including all ticketing options and event details, visit
www.newportdesignweek.com.