Celebrating Style

For centuries, architectural details, furniture style, and material choices have served as barometers of cultural movements and a civilization's technological capacities. We better understand the story of humanity through the buildings and items we interact with. Design and history go hand in hand, which is why the Cashiers Designer Showhouse serves as a fun yet mission-minded fundraising event for the Cashiers Historical Society (CHS).

During the last week of August, thousands of design enthusiasts will travel to Cashiers with anticipation for the unveiling of a home imagined by some of the most talented interior decorators in the South. This year, the event, a decades-long partnership between CHS and Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine, will be held at Cashiers Lake. Developed by Silverwing Partners and Daniel Communities and anchored by the newly restored Cashiers Lake, this private residential community is conceptualized to connect people and place. Thoughtfully designed homes, paths, and gathering spaces are planned to combine mountain and lake views with timeless architecture rooted in the surrounding landscape.

2026 Showhouse co-chairs, Caroline Crawford and Allyson Maske, are excited to share a well-rounded roster of experiences. "We have a really great crop of designers and think it is going to be very special, where people could stay for the whole event and have something to do every day," says Maske.

Showhouse guests will benefit from decades of friendship and collaboration; Crawford and Maske were last year's Showhouse Designer Liaisons, have been friends since attending college together at Vanderbilt University, and jointly served on nonprofit boards while their children attended the same K-12 school. While Maske moved to Lonesome Valley in 2020, Crawford has been a second-home resident at High Hampton since 2009. "Even though we are part-time, we want to give back like we are up here full time. I love interior design, collecting art, and looking at pretty things. I go to the Showhouse every year. We love the area and want to support CHS, who is preserving culture in western North Carolina," Crawford explains.

Designed by Thomas & Denzinger Architects, built by Turnkey Construction Group, and landscaped by Tate Landscaping Services, this year's Showhouse is a 3-bedroom, 4.5-bath retreat. The floor plan embraces its surroundings with expansive lake-view windows, soaring ceilings, terraces on both floors, and an outdoor kitchen. Thirteen designers, all with ties to Cashiers, will transform each living space with a range of inspired creativity, from bold statements to timeless touches.

Capturing the spirit of Cashiers Lake, the Showhouse embraces the heritage of Appalachian homesteads, beginning with the opening night party,  A Mountain Affair: Celebrating Cashiers & Its Outdoor Traditions. Opening Night Party Chairs India King, Lisa Parrish, and Missy Budd invite sponsors and benefactors to enjoy live bluegrass, plein air painting, and the art of fly-tying before imbibing in signature cocktails, savory cuisine, and a night of dancing to a live performance by Liquid Pleasure.

The Showhouse Shops are open to the public and will return to Lewis Hall at The Village Green, where ticketed attendees check in for a shuttle ride to the Showhouse. They will enjoy shopping from a selection of artisanal finds, treasured antiques, specialty home goods, stylish apparel, and handcrafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry, all while supporting CHS, which receives 20% of each purchase.

Publicly accessible special programming in the Cashiers Lake Event Barn will include a bourbon talk and tasting with Blade and Bow, a presentation on harmonizing residences with their surroundings by Will Huff and Heather Dewberry of Huff-Dewberry, Inc, a garden talk with the Oconee Bell Chapter of the North Carolina Native Plant Society, mahjong tablescapes with Spruce Interiors, a poplar log basket demonstration with Andrew Lee, a design talk on second homes for real life with Ashley Gilbreath Interior Design, a book signing with Will Peace, and a journey through time as The Summer House by Reeves’ own Paula Jones gives an overview of the store's history. Register online to secure your spot for any of these complimentary events!

The ticketed events lineup kicks off with A Curated Conversation at Wade Hampton, moderated by Lauren Iverson of Atlanta Home & Lifestyle Magazine, with a distinguished panel including Neillie Butler of Mariée Ami, Danielle Balanis of Danielle Balanis Design, Meg Harrington of Huff Harrington, and William Nash of E.W. Nash & Son. Join Vivace of Cashiers for a mahjong mingle, connect in the kitchen with a baking demonstration by Patricia "Sister" Schubert, learn to arrange mountain blossoms with floral designer Meghan Lock, and attend the Young Preservationists Bluegrass, Bourbon, & Beyond. Finally, guests won't want to miss the Showhouse conclusion event, Mountain Time Tailgate: Friends, Football, & Fiddles, sponsored by Cashiers Lake.