Ideas Shape the Way We Live.
The Knoxville Design Summit was founded with a simple conviction: expectional design is not something Knoxville has to look elsewhere for. It is already here — in the architects, interior designers, landscape architects, builders, artisans and art advisors shaping home across East Tennessee. Throughout the Summit’s programming and events, we hope you will meet the panelists and sponsors, ask the questions you have been saving, and leave with a clearer sense of how a well-designed home comes together — and who can help you create yours.
Friday Cocktail Reception
Friday, November 13th, RT Lodge
5:30 - 7:30 pm at the Meeting House
Begin the weekend with cocktails, hors’d’oeuvres and conversation at the RT Lodge Meeting House. This private gathering welcomes panelists and invited guests for an evening of introductions ahead of Saturday’s summit. Engage with Lee McIntyre Art Advisory on Friday evening through a selection of artworks across a range of mediums.
Guests are invited to explore the works, ask questions, and learn more about collecting fine art and the advisory services LMAA provides.
An evening to get acquainted with one another, and with the people shaping how East Tennessee lives.
Arrival, Breakfast & Conversation
Begin the morning with coffee, pastries, and mimosas at RT Lodge, with time to meet fellow attendees, connect with members of the design community, and settle into the day.
Curated Panel Conversations
Throughout the Summit, leading voices across design, architecture, construction, and art will come together for a series of thoughtful discussions created for both homeowners and industry professionals. Expect perspective rather than prescription, insight rather than trend forecasting, and conversations that continue well beyond the room.
Connection Throughout the Day
Between sessions, enjoy lunch provided by RT Lodge. Guests will have opportunities to exchange ideas with speakers, fellow attendees, regional creatives, and the partners helping bring the inaugural Summit to life.
Saturday at a Glance
Saturday, November 14th, RT Lodge
9 - 10 am
Arrival, Coffee & Conversation
Coffee, Pastries, and Mimosas in the Morningside Room.
Moderator: Lynn Lee Terry from Southern Home Magazine
10am
Panel I: Dream It
From Inspiration to Vision
Every exceptional home begins with an idea, but bringing that vision to life takes more than beautiful inspiration. It requires a clear understanding of how a homeowner wants to live, a property that informs the possibilities, and a team that can see the project from every angle. Architects, interior designers, builders, and landscape architects share how early collaboration, thoughtful planning, and a unified design vision lay the groundwork for a home that feels personal, cohesive, and distinctly its own.
Samantha Fueur · Norris Studio
Johnny Rhodes · Schmid & Rhodes
Scott Harrop · C.S. Harrop Architects
Ryan Ball · Sanctuary Studio
Johnny Rhodes · Schmid & Rhodes
Scott Harrop · C.S. Harrop Architects
Ryan Ball · Sanctuary Studio
11:15 am
Panel II: Build It
The Decisions That Make the Difference
A successful project depends as much on the decisions behind the scenes as on the beauty of the finished home. From evaluating a property and establishing a realistic budget to choosing materials and navigating construction, the choices made along the way can have a lasting impact on quality, cost, and performance. Architects and builders offer candid advice on where to invest, where to exercise restraint, and how careful planning can prevent costly missteps without compromising the vision.
Rob Purvis · Purvis Builders
Sara Martin · Open Door Architecture
Colton Thomas · F.E. Trainer
Sara Martin · Open Door Architecture
Colton Thomas · F.E. Trainer
12:15 - 1:15pm
LUNCH @ THE LODGE
1:30 PM
Panel III: Live It
Beyond the Beautiful House
A truly exceptional home is measured not only by how it looks, but by how it feels to live there. Thoughtful interiors reflect the people who inhabit them, balancing beauty and comfort with personal collections, meaningful details, and spaces designed for everyday life. Interior designers explore the choices that give a home its character, from the art of layering color and texture to investing in craftsmanship and creating rooms that welcome both quiet moments and lively gatherings. The goal is a home that feels authentic, evolves gracefully, and becomes more meaningful with time.
Natalie Clayman · Natalie Clayman Interior Design
Emily Harper · E. Harper Designs
Shannon Roberts · Roberts Bohleber Interior Designs
Emily Harper · E. Harper Designs
Shannon Roberts · Roberts Bohleber Interior Designs
End of Panel Raffles
Each panel closes with questions from the audience. A custom table, generously donated by Adelboden Fine Furnishings and Keystone Kitchens, will be raffled alongside other items from STARK carpet and Hudson Valley Lighting among ticketed guests.
