ADAC will be open to general public beginning Oct. 1

Susan Dickenson -- Home Accents Today, 10/1/2012 2:00:00 AM

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Decorative Arts Center is opening to the general public, beginning Monday, Oct. 1, 2012.

The 550,000-sq.-ft. design center, located in Buckhead, has been a resource for the interior design community for more than 50 years.

The transition will include an Oct. 4th grand opening party, and "Discover ADAC," a two-week window of events and special programming designed to educate guests on the showrooms, products and process of working with a design professional. Events include lifestyle panel discussions with Atlanta tastemakers, designer presentations and meet-and-greets, book signings and showroom activities.

"Until now, only licensed design professionals have been able to access and take advantage of our showroom facility," said Katie Belveal, ADAC's general manager. "By giving a peek behind our curtain, if you will, more design enthusiasts will be able to experience ADAC and create that lifestyle at home or elsewhere."

Special events during the first week of October will feature Satya Tiwari, president of Surya; Betsy Riley, executive editor of Atlanta magazine; Danielle Rollins, author of Soiree: Entertaining with Style; and Brian Patrick Flynn of hgtv.com and design blog "Decor Demon."

"There is an energy and excitement amongst everyone in the ADAC showrooms for this upcoming event," Belveal said. "The management team, along with participating designers, believes this is a great benefit to the design community and those who now have the opportunity to access these resources."

Built in 1961 by renowned architect and developer John Portman, the ADAC campus consists of 550,000 square feet with over 60 showrooms offering 1,200 of the industry's finest product lines including furniture, fabric, rugs, lighting, accessories, floor and wall coverings, antiques, fine art and framing, kitchens, bath, tile and stone, and home theater products. ADAC's extensive services include custom designs such as framing, electronic systems, faux-finishing, and draperies.

On-site resources are available for visitors seeking the expertise of a design professional and include the offices of the American Society of Interior Designers and International Interior Design Association. Free street level and underground parking is provided to all ADAC visitors, and the facility includes a café and designers lounge.

Industry presentations, celebrity and media events, educational programs and networking opportunities are held throughout the year. A full calendar of events is available at www.adacatlanta.com/events.