NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Global flower show sensation Fleurs de Villes returns to Cheekwood to debut Fleurs de Villes THE GILDED AGE, presented in a flower-filled partnership with HBO Max® — a fresh floral celebration that brings the opulence, ambition, and iconic characters of the HBO® Original Series, The Gilded Age to life through stunning floral artistry.
From August 1–9, discover a curated collection of one-of-a-kind fresh floral mannequins displayed throughout Cheekwood’s Botanic Hall, Frist Learning Center, and Historic Mansion & Museum. This stunning showcase celebrates The Gilded Age, the acclaimed drama set in late 19th-century New York, where old money and new ambition collide in a time of extraordinary social change — reimagined through spectacular floral storytelling.
Created by Nashville’s talented floral designers, each floral masterpiece interprets the series’ distinct characters and opulent style — from the bold, aspirational gowns of Bertha Russell to the refined sophistication of Agnes van Rhijn, the understated elegance of Marian Brook, and the modern perspective of Peggy Scott — inviting visitors to experience the elegance and intrigue of The Gilded Age in full bloom. Guests can vote for their favorite floral mannequin for a chance to win a Gilded Age-inspired floral arrangement and a one-year Cheekwood Membership.
Participating florists include Flower Girls Floral Design, Studio Izrada, Rose Hill Flowers, Village Revival, Laural & Leaf, LL Floral, By Gossamer, The Flower House, Abbj Design, Larson Floral Co., T. Villager, Florence Florals and LMA Designs.
“We are delighted to welcome Fleurs de Villes back to Cheekwood for this extraordinary debut,” said Sarah Sperling, Senior Vice President of Museum Affairs at Cheekwood. “Set against the backdrop of our historic estate, this immersive exhibition transforms iconic characters from The Gilded Age into breathtaking floral works of art, offering guests a truly unforgettable experience.”
“We’re thrilled to return to Cheekwood for a second year to debut our new show series in such a remarkable setting,” said Karen Marshall, Co-Founder of Fleurs de Villes. “With its historic estate and beautiful gardens, Cheekwood provides the perfect backdrop for our fresh floral celebration of HBO’s The Gilded Age. The series’ rich visual world and unforgettable characters translate beautifully into floral design, offering endless inspiration for Nashville’s talented florists, and bringing the story to life through stunning floral artistry this August.”
Summer Soirée
July 31 | 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Join Cheekwood’s Council of Contemporaries at a kickoff celebration for the opening of Fleurs de Villes THE GILDED AGE. Spend an evening mingling with guests who share a passion for creativity and culture. The event unfolds at the Frist Learning Center, where you can sip handcrafted cocktails, savor elegant hors d’oeuvres, and immerse yourself in a global flower show unlike any other.
The Council of Contemporaries is a group of young art and garden enthusiasts, ages 21– 40, who represent the next generation of Cheekwood supporters in Nashville.
Learn more and reserve tickets at cheekwood.org/calendar-events.
Special Events for Fleurs de Villes
August 1 - 9
Cheekwood will offer extended hours on select days to view the breathtaking floral installations along with exciting additional programming.
Margot Shaw Discussion & Book Signing
August 1 | 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Massey Auditorium
Join Flower Magazine Founder and Editor-in-Chief Margot Shaw for an inspiring talk and book signing celebrating her latest release, “Flowering Outdoors: Gardens & Parties.”
Cocktails in the Courtyard
August 1, 7, 8 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Step into the splendor of the Gilded Age with an elegant outdoor evening of flowers and cocktails in the Frist Learning Center Courtyard. Enjoy themed cocktails, light bites from local vendors, and a curated photo opportunity.
Fleurs de Villes Floral Designer Talks
August 1, 2, 8, 9 | 1:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. | Frist Learning Center Courtyard Classroom
Go behind the scenes with the talented Nashville floral designers of Fleurs de Villes THE GILDED AGE. During this 30-minute talk and demonstration, local floral artists will discuss the Gilded Age character who inspired their floral masterpiece. Learn about design techniques and creative processes, then enjoy a Q&A before exploring the exhibition.
Elizabeth Block Discussion & Book Signing
August 6 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Massey Auditorium
Step inside an era of unparalleled opulence with art and culture historian Dr. Elizabeth Block for a talk and book signing showcasing her new release, “Gilded Age Fashion: More than 50 Iconic Looks and Stories Behind Them.” She is a Senior Editor in the Publications and Editorial Department at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Ticket Information
Visit cheekwood.org to reserve tickets.
About Fleurs de Villes
Founded in 2015 by lifestyle and media experts Tina Barkley and Karen Marshall, Fleurs de Villes (flowers of the cities) is a global luxury brand specializing in bespoke fresh-floral experiences and activations. Champions of experiential marketing in the form of largescale floral installations, Fleurs de Villes is a floral story-teller, bringing to bloom brand legacies through flowers. Gardens, venues and shopping districts come to life through fresh-floral place-making and retail engagement, plus collaborations with some of the world’s biggest luxury brands and entertainment franchises. Fleurs de Villes has produced more than 155 unique luxury floral events, uniting over 1,400 floral artists in major destinations across the United States, Canada, England, Scotland and Australia. Leveraging local floral talent in every city, Fleurs de Villes creates authentic, engaging 360-degree experiences with omni-channel touch points across digital, video, social, print and live platforms. For more information, please visit fleursdevilles.com.
About Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
With its intact and picturesque vistas, Cheekwood is distinguished as one of the leading Country Place Era estates in the nation. Formerly the family home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, the 1930s estate, with its 30,000-square-foot Mansion and 55-acres of gardens, today serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and art museum with furnished period rooms and galleries devoted to American art from the 18th to mid-20th centuries. The property includes 13 distinct gardens including the Blevins Japanese Garden and the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, as well as a 1.5-mile woodland trail featuring outdoor monumental sculpture. Each year, Cheekwood hosts seasonal festivals including Cheekwood in Bloom, Summertime at Cheekwood, Cheekwood Harvest and Holiday LIGHTS. Cheekwood is a 501c3 nonprofit charitable organization. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and nationally as a Level II Arboretum. It is a four-time voted USA Today Top 10 Botanical Garden, named the Most Beautiful Garden in Tennessee in 2025 by HGTV, in 2024 and 2025 received a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, and in 2021 was named by Fodors as one of the 12 Most Beautiful Gardens in the American South. Cheekwood is located eight miles southwest of downtown Nashville at 1200 Forrest Park Drive. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., with extended days and hours of operation depending on the season. Visit cheekwood.org for current hours and to purchase advance tickets required for admission.
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