HGTV’s Kelly Edge in town for golf tourney

Published 12:00 am Thursday, November 5, 2009

NATCHEZ — Kelly Edge is in the business of making things better.

And while the star of HGTV’s “Decorating Cents” is in Natchez, she’s hoping to do just that.

Edge, a popular interior re-designer from California, is in town for the annual Natchez Children’s Home Services Celebrity Golf Tournament.

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Edge said she immediately agreed to play in the fundraising tournament because the mission of the Natchez Children’s Home is one she supports wholeheartedly.

“As soon as I heard about this event and the Children’s Home, I knew I was coming,” Edge said. “This cause is one that is close to my heart.”

The annual golf tournament is one of the biggest fundraisers for the Children’s Home biggest fundraisers, and to help them put more money in the bank, Edge has also designed an auction package for the free Friday night pairings party.

Edge has agreed to return to Natchez, on a mutually agreed upon date, and host a decorating party for the highest bidder.

The winning bidder is welcome to invite a group of friends for a decorating date in which Edge will address design problems and offer advice on giving a room new life.

“We will do the party at one person’s house, but everyone will leave with information,” Edge said. “So there is really nothing stopping a group from getting together and bidding as a group.

“This isn’t about me or any money for me. It is about getting as much money for The Children’s Home as possible.”

The auction, which also includes getaway vacation packages, a Drew Brees autographed football and other items, begins at 7 p.m. Friday in the Grand Soleil Hotel ballroom. There will be entertainment, light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

Edge has hosted decorating parties before for auction winners and said they are win-win for everyone involved.

“They are scheduled to last about three hours, but typically run longer than that,” she said. “We become fast friends.

“The ladies love it because it took a room and things they already loved and made them love it more, and the men are pleased because they didn’t have to spend any money.”

Edge arrived in Natchez Tuesday, two days before many of the other celebrity golfers are set to arrive, so she could work her magic on the interior of Natchez Children’s Home. She has already tackled one living area — rearranging furniture to create a more cozy seating area — and is planning to tackle at least one office space before leaving town.

“I have the ability to come into a room and locate the black spaces and the overly cluttered spaces and then bring everything back into balance,” Edge said. “Balance is really the key to design.”