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Holiday House Expands to Wellington: 20+ Designers Transform Florida Show Houses
Design With a Mission
Founder Iris Dankner brings her acclaimed design fundraiser to South Florida’s equestrian community for the first full-scale Wellington show house, blending philanthropy, artistry and inspiration.
There are some people who “make sparks,” and Iris Dankner is one of them.
From Iconic Design to Philanthropy
Interior designer, artist (remember the famous Lord & Taylor signature for the iconic department store? That was Dankner’s), and longtime breast cancer survivor, she continues to turn heads with Holiday House, the design showcase she founded 19 years ago, which features top designers, trends, materials and art — while raising serious money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
From jaw-dropping tabletop designs to full-on oceanfront homes transformed into gorgeous room vignettes and landscapes, the Holiday House shows Dankner has produced in New York City, the Hamptons and Palm Beach have drawn talent and tastemakers while creating industry buzz.
Expanding Holiday House to Wellington
After three years of tabletop events in Palm Beach, Holiday House now expands with its first full-scale Florida designer show house in Wellington, inside the Palm Beach Polo Golf & Country Club development by Joe Farrell of The Farrell Companies. The Holiday House Wellington Show House marks a bold new chapter — bringing Dankner’s signature mix of style and purpose to the heart of the equestrian community, about 20 minutes from Palm Beach. The work of 20+ designers and artists opens on Mar. 4 and runs for two months.
We caught up with Southampton resident Iris Dankner just hours before the opening-night gala on Mar. 3 to talk about growth, gratitude and what’s next.
Interview: Iris Dankner, Founder/President, Holiday House
Why is the Holiday House fundraiser so important to you?
I’m an interior designer and a 29-year breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed at 40 on my first routine mammogram, at a time when nobody spoke about cancer — so I started fundraising as a way to help myself heal — and I found that it was touching so many lives and saving lives.
Holiday House has grown beyond my dreams. Doing fundraising, I found I had two full-time jobs: I wanted to figure out how to combine my two passions — my love of interior design and my passion to eradicate breast cancer — and find how to raise money in my own community. We’ve been doing Holiday House for 19 years.
Why did you name it Holiday House?
I named it Holiday House because every day after cancer is a holiday.
What do you think makes a great design and a great designer?
I think a great designer is someone you connect with who can see your vision and create a home that is comfortable for you. Everyone has different needs, a different aesthetic, so meeting the right designer is key.
A Wellington Difference
What’s special about this year’s designer show house in Wellington?
This is the first time we’ve done a full show house down in Florida. We did a tabletop show for three years, and it’s very exciting to be doing this in Wellington — it’s been really interesting, so close to Palm Beach but so different.
The design here is extremely different. In Palm Beach, it’s all about colors — pinks and greens, palm trees and wicker. In Wellington — a little bubble of wealth here — all the designers have embraced the equestrian aesthetic. It’s much warmer, a different texture than Palm Beach, which is more chintz and floral. Wellington is more leather and bouclé, more warmth.
I wanted to stay with designers who are in South Florida, so I would say 75–85% of our designers are from down here, and I think they all get it. What I try and tell them is, if you really want work here, stay true to your style — don’t try to overdo your room. And I think they’ve done that.
Also, I started a young committee of girls, around 15 years old, who are involved here in the equestrian world — they all ride and compete — and they designed the mudroom where they put all their ribbons and riding equipment. It’s really cute. I’m teaching that you can start being philanthropic and giving back at any age — you can start young.
The show houses are (Hamptons builder) Farrell houses.
Yes, two houses. Joe Farrell is creating a development within the Polo Club in Wellington. We met at the Holiday House Gala in the Hamptons, and Joe and I have known each other for 24 years — he built my house in Southampton — he came up to me and said, “What do you think about doing this in Florida?” I said, “I’m always up for a challenge.”
What can we expect this summer Out East in terms of Holiday House?
That’s like asking a woman in labor when she’s having her next baby! (laughs). It’s a lot of work. As it grows, it’s more work for me, but I love it. I love meeting the new designers and the sponsors. We are looking for a house. I’m hoping tonight (the opening in Wellington) someone will make me an offer I can’t refuse. There will be a lot of builders and developers here.
Surviving — and Thriving
As a breast cancer survivor for 29 years, what is the best advice you can give to someone who was just diagnosed, when they are scared?
Make sure you set up a great team — doctors, therapists, family members — get your team in order and just go with them. It was so different when I was diagnosed; nobody even said the word “cancer.” Now it’s important to reach out to other people who are going through it to find your support. I was pretty alone. I was pretty lonely. It helps when you share. We don’t just survive, we thrive.
How much money do you think you will raise with Holiday House?
I’d say about $2½ million. When I used to chair the Race for a Cure, we would raise $5–7 million a year.
Where do you get your strength?
From my family. All I wanted was to see my kids grow up, and I was determined. Now that I have grandchildren, it’s beyond a dream — I do feel blessed. My dad is going to be here tonight; he’s going to be 103 — he is so optimistic. He is a stage 4 colon cancer survivor — that’s part of his story. He’s had his lows, and it sounds corny, but you have to think positive and put up a good fight.
Full Circle
When it comes to “making sparks,” who has influenced you?
I’d say my dad, who tells me every day, “The best is yet to come,” and to “dream big,” and “don’t sweat the small stuff.” He also says it’s not all about money. He’s definitely a family man, and he has outlived his money but says he is the richest guy in the world with his family. He has inspired me.
What advice would you give those who wish to make a difference in life?
To get involved with something that you’re passionate about because it’s only when you’re passionate that you can really give back.
What have you learned through your cancer journey?
To appreciate every day.
The East End – what do you think makes it so special?
As an artist, I think the East End is so special because of its beauty and its light — the way the light hits everything, from the water to the trees to the cornfields. The Hamptons and the East End are my happy place — and that really ties it all together because Joe Farrell built my house (in Southampton) 24 years ago, and it’s the best decision Jay and I ever made. It’s really full circle.
See the Show
Holiday House Wellington Designer Showhouse
March 4 – May 5, 2026
11151 Polo Club Road, Lots 21 & 22, Wellington, Florida
Wednesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
April 6 – May 3 by appointment
Tickets must be purchased in advance: holidayhousenyc.com
@holidayhousedesigns; bcrf.org
