The North Dearborn Association Announces 53rd Dearborn Garden Walk Garden Vignette Design Teams

May 25, 2011 - PRLog -- Each year, the North Dearborn Association (NDA)  brings together a stunning collection of diverse gardens behind the stately greystones that line the streets of Chicago’s famed Near North Side for its annual Dearborn Garden Walk. Set for Sunday, July 17, 2011, this year’s 53rd Dearborn Garden Walk will treat visitors to sumptuous gardens, architectural walking tours, and garden vignettes inspired by the life of a Hollywood legend – the late Elizabeth Taylor - created by some of the best design teams in Chicago. This year’s Garden Walk is sure to be one of the best ever!

With rich ties to Chicago, which include husbands Conrad “Nicky” Hilton, an heir to the Chicago-based Hilton hotel chain and her “true love” Chicago-bred film and theater producer Mike Todd, the Dearborn Garden Walk will honor Elizabeth Taylor by announcing this year’s garden vignette theme of an international tribute to Elizabeth Taylor. This year’s highly-talented and well-known Chicago designers will have the opportunity to showcase their creativity as they incorporate elements of places around the world in which Elizabeth Taylor made her mark.  Visitors may enter upon a garden vignette that represents where Taylor filmed ‘Cleopatra,’ the plot of ‘National Velvet,’ where she launched her famous Passion fragrance (wink, wink), even where she was born.

The NDA is proud to announce the following design teams that will be creating garden vignette's based on the life of the late Elizabeth Taylor:
•   Anne and Howard Stolar, Carol Wolk Interiors LLC: For forty-years, this firm has specialized in designs ranging from easy Contemporary to inviting Traditional
•   Jody Bergeson, Perspective Environments, LTD: Specializing in client-tailored home renovation work in the city and suburbs for over 16 years
•   Steven Burgert, I.D. Design: A modern design showroom
•   Amanda Wolfson and Stanley Smith, Oak Street Design Corporation: A visual design resource providing design, fabrication and installation
•   Joe Rudy, Primitiv Studio: Offering exclusive as well as one-of-a-kind collections of furniture, artifacts, art, textiles, jewelry and fashion from all over the world
•   Geena Javid and Chris Walsh, Old Town Gardens: A full-service garden center located in Chicago’s Historic Old Town neighborhood for 20 years
•   Ruth Delf, Susan Fredman Design Group: Specializing in residential and commercial design
•   Peter Oestriech, My Gardener Landscaping: Seasonal planning, planting & landscape consultation
•   Deborah Baker and John Stein, Deb Baker Design: A Chicago-based creative design team
•   Ramsey Jay Prince, Ramsey Jay Prince Designs: Offering a creative and innovative approach to design needs - interior and furniture design, merchandising and display, exquisite florals and home accessories, and unique couture costumes and fashions

In addition to the self-guided walking tour and creatively themed garden vignettes, visitors can participate in an hour-long, wonderfully entertaining and educational sidewalk guided tour of historic Dearborn Parkway that highlights the outstanding architectural facades in the neighborhood. The architectural walking tour, which starts at 1:30pm, 3:30pm, and 5:00pm, includes both pre and post-Chicago fire structures, sites that have been used in movies, homes formerly occupied by famous celebrities, and even a US President!  

The event will run from 12pm-5pm and admission includes a Dearborn Garden Walk program with a map for a self-guided tour of the gardens, live jazz and classical music in select gardens, and guided architectural walking tours of historic Dearborn Parkway. The program booth will be at a new location, the Latin Lower School lobby, 1531 N. Dearborn Parkway, Chicago, IL 60610. Tickets are $35.00 on July 17 and $30.00 in advance. Children 16 years of age and younger accompanied by an adult, as well as North Dearborn Association Partner in Preservation members, are free. Advance sales end on Saturday, July 16 at 12:00pm – all advance ticket purchasers are automatically entered in drawings for goods and services from neighborhood businesses. For ticket purchase information, please call: 312-632-1241 or visit: www.DearbornGardenWalk.com.

Out-of-town visitors can take part in the special “Garden Walk Package” presented by Hotel Indigo – just steps from the Dearborn Garden Walk entrance. Enjoy an overnight stay and complimentary breakfast for two for $174. For more information, please visit: http://www.goldcoastchicagohotel.com/.  Group Rate Code: DGW

Media inquiries: Shelly Cellak / shelly@burgeonagency.com / 773.398.6154
Editors Note: Hi-res images of gardens and vignettes are available upon request.

# # #

About North Dearborn Association:
Founded in 1954, the North Dearborn Association (NDA) is an influential organization dedicated to the preservation and beautification of its Chicago Near North neighborhood. The Association recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, at which former Mayor Richard M. Daley complimented it as “representing the best part of what is good about this city.” Among its recent projects, the NDA led the efforts to install vintage lampposts with hanging floral baskets at the intersections along North Dearborn from Division Street to the entrance of Lincoln Park at North Avenue; facilitated the donation of the Eldon Danhauasen sculpture ‘The Community’ to the Ogden International School; and is working to preserve & renovate the historic 3Arts Club landmark building. Proceeds from the annual Dearborn Garden Walk go back into the community for preservation and beautification efforts. For more information, please visit: www.northdearbornassociation.com.