This is the second program in the Great Homes and Gardens lecture series.

Informed by not only his careers in theatre design and acting, but also his passion for gardening, Marshall weaves together principals that have inextricably influenced his particular approach to interior design.

Identifiably elegant, his work has all the hallmarks of classic design: site specific, client sensitive, well researched, highly detailed, historically inspired, and yet, always comfortable, creative and approachable.  In Defining Elegance, you will experience not only the depth and breadth of his design, but also its soul.  Travel with Marshall as he opens doors from New York to Napa, Hawaii to Palm Beach, and shares his informative, entertaining and often moving journey. 

Marshall will sign copies of Defining Elegance following the lecture.

Images courtesy of Marshall Watson.

PROGRAM TIMELINE

5:30–6:30 p.m. | Explore Hillwood

• Enjoy Hillwood’s mansion, gardens, and greenhouse.
• Find the perfect memento from your visit at the museum shop.
• Members receive an extra 10% off regularly priced merchandise when they attend in person on the day of the event. This offer does not extend to online or telephone purchases.

6:00–6:30 p.m. | Members-only wine and cheese reception. Join today!

6:30–7:30 p.m. | Lecture 

7:30 p.m. | Book signing. Defining Elegance is available in the museum shop.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

A native of Kansas City, Marshall Watson received his Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University. Watson founded his design firm, Marshall Watson Interiors in 1986. A subtle blend of transatlantic and American design philosophies suffuses his work. Classic elegance is his hallmark. Though richly layered and often romantic, his work always showcases a meticulous attention to detail and is noted for its sense of “calm and lightness of being.” As his client base has grown globally, his passion for researching and delving into each culture has only expanded his ability to be site specific and locally attuned.

Throughout Watson’s career, his designs have appeared on the covers of Architectural Digest, Veranda, Traditional Home, Ocean Home, and Hampton Cottages and Gardens and his interiors have also been richly explored in publications including House Beautiful, Luxe, the New York Times Interior Design and many others.  He also received Traditional Home’s “Designer of the Year” award and has been featured on Luxe’s Gold List.

Marshall's top selling design book, The Art of Elegance, was published by Rizzoli in 2017. His second book, Defining Elegance, was released this spring. 

Responses to Marshall’s lectures have garnered him distinguished status as a “Gold Star Speaker” for the Garden Club of America, reflecting exceptional talent, dedication and a profound impact made on the community as across the country. 

Watson serves on the boards of the Garden Conservancy, the Isabel O’Neill Studio of the Painted Finish and Fighting Chance. He is currently a member of the Garden Club of East Hampton (GCA) where his garden is being documented for the Archives of the Smithsonian, and he is co-heading the cultivation of a public garden in East Hampton dedicated to the study of 18th century American horticulture. 

Watson resides in Manhattan and spends weekends with his husband at his home and garden in East Hampton. 
 

ABOUT THE GREAT HOMES AND GARDENS LECTURE SERIES 

Escape February’s dreariness and immerse yourself in the stories of extraordinary homes, lush gardens, and the people who brought them to life in this four-part lecture series.