Help is Here

Saturday night I was invited to the press preview of the Greenwich Chapter of the American Red Cross‘s annual Red & White Ball. What a fabulous venue it was. In the Net Jets Hangar at the Westchester Airport, thirty six tablescapes were designed by the area’s top designers and florists. Following the preview during cocktails, there were silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing, all to benefit this incredible worthwhile organization. Proceeds from the event provide relief to victims of disasters, which this year in particular seemed especially needed.

There were many beautiful vignettes. Images & Details, a CT based PR and marketing firm in the industry, as well as design chair and organizer of the event, had a charming picnic themed table. Just love the checks and potted grass.

Amy Aidinis Hirsch, shown here next to her table, was, like most of us this year, clearly ready for spring. Her vintage inspired tabletop included pieces from Juliska.

And her wonderfully whimsical birdhouses were covered with papers from Quadrille and Carlton Varney.

Designer Carey Karlan of Last Detail Interior Design is shown here as the perfect accoutrement for her very pretty table.

Just as with fashion this season, sheer is everywhere. Carey loves texture and used a sheer floral tablecloth very effectively.

The butterfly napkin rings echo those within the quince branch arrangement and the vintage red glasses were her grandmother’s, adding a lovely sentimental touch to the scheme.

Barclay Butera, the honorary chair of the event, offered a Moroccan inspired table. The rich colors, exotic patterns and details made for a stand out design.

Erin Olivier’s charming preview illustration

translated to an equally charming tablescape. Focussing the Help is Here theme on the Japanese relief fund, the table, designed by Erin with Rebecca Soskin, featured a lovely Brunchwig patterned tablecloth, which drove the rest of their design. Rebecca, below, is also the NY correspondent for the Material Girls blog.

I loved the thoughtful touches at Elissa Grayer‘s table. The lanterns (see 2nd shot) and globes, gifts to those at her table, symbolize the light the Red Cross brings to the world. What a lovely sentiment. And I was surprised to learn that the beautiful Lelievre (carried at Stark) tablecloth, which looked like silk, was actually an indoor/outdoor material.

Not surprisingly, the beautiful spring table from Diane James featured fantastic floral arrangements.

The always elegant James girls, Cynthia and Carolyn (who writes the Diane James blog) were stunning additions to their table.

Hoaglands, the wonderful Greenwich store I featured last week, was responsible for two fabulous tables. The first, a beautiful symphony of blue, featured the Haviland & Parlon china pattern Syracuse with Kim Seybert napkin rings and flowers by Tulips of Greenwich.

The second table included the dramatic Cristobal pattern by Alberto Pinto with stunning coral napkin rings and a fantastic flower arrangement done by the store.

One of the most distinctive tables was that of Charles Pavarini. When I asked him about the inspiration for his design, he explained to me that in Italy the presence of a  ladybug means a wish will soon be granted (although hard to see here, his table was covered with ladybugs), something he hopes the Red Cross will be able to fulfill. And the wings on the back of each chair signify that anyone sitting at his table, involved in this event, is an angel.

I loved the beautiful bird plates on Lara Michelle‘s aviary themed table, with flowers by Diana Gould.

I have highlighted only a few of the terrific tables. They were all wonderful and even though I didn’t get a chance so speak with all the designers, here are a few more to add to the visual splendor

Michael Tavano for MT Custom above and below.

Lynnens of Greenwich

Lazy Susan

Diane Sawicki and Home Boutique

I’m sure the rest of the evening was wonderful as well and here’s hoping they raised a substantial amount for the Red Cross, a wonderful and much-needed organization.

29 thoughts on “Help is Here

  1. Thanks Stacey! All your pictures are great–I’m having fun reliving the evening and noticing all the details on the tables that I missed at the moment. Also…you should have put yourself in a picture–great outfit!

  2. what a wonderful event and such a worthy cause…all the table look so amazing…I’m sure it was a lovely time…
    maureen

  3. I would have loved this event. I’m wild about pretty or fun tablescapes and there are plenty to excite me here. I’m sure a great time was had by all.

  4. What great pictures of the table settings! We were so busy with the set-up then at the party that we didn’t have much time to make the rounds. It was wonderful to see you Saturday, looking beautiful in white.
    xxoo

  5. Such stunning settings, q. The Red Cross is a wonderful organization and have had their share this year. They have certainly been in Alabama for the last week.
    Thank you for sharing, and have a great week.
    Teresa
    xoxo

  6. So much fabulous eye candy. I’m going to have to go back and review a couple times to take it all in. Gorgeous tables for such a good cause. Looks like a terrific event.
    Happy May!
    Jeanne

  7. Love the pictures of all the beautifully and creatively decorated tables….and that shot of the gorgeous Diane James girls!!!

    What a wonderful cause and so happy you could share it with all of us who couldn’t attend!

  8. Wow, these tables are all amazing!! I think the Diane James and the Moroccan tables are my favorite, but it really is so hard to pick. SO much beauty all around!!

  9. Stacey I really love these events. Just received the DIFFA invitation. I adore taking in all of the details and what you can use for table coverings. The Chinese inspired fabric and table is fabulous, well they all are!
    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

  10. Hi Stacey, What a fabulous event for such a good cause. Loved all those beautifully decorated tables and gorgeous flower arrangements. Obviously it was a successful event for a very important cause. Thanks for letting us know about this.

  11. Oh my heavens, what a spot of loveliness to enjoy on a Monday afternoon, just what I needed. I *love* the Amy Hirsch table, and the lanterns you point out on Elissa Grayer’s table are a nice touch. I also liked the Barclay Butera table’s Moroccan theme, that was a lush, rich look. (Actually, I liked all of them!)

    Thank you for brightening the afternoon!
    tp

  12. I notice all the coordinated seat cushions – lots of stitching going on! I think a creative table setting raises the bar for good conversation. Looks like a fun evening.

  13. I kept thinking I had a favorite table but then I would scroll down and needless to say one was as pretty as the next…too many gorgeous beauties to name a fave! Looks like a fun night and most importantly looks like a successful evening for a great cause. Thank you for sharing the wonderful pictures!!

  14. Creativity on steroids! Gorgeous with thinking and sentiment behind it all. I needed some beauty tonight. . .thanks for the photos. . .

  15. I am loving Hirsch’s table! That is lovely and the Diane James gals are quite the fabulous addition to any table/room :) Hope your Easter was a good one, I’m finally back and looking forward to catching up. XO, Kelly

  16. Stacey, it was so great to meet you at the benefit! I have to tell you I came home after the cocktail party, checked out your blog, and was entranced for hours!!! Reading your blog was like having a wonderful book you can’t put down, and don’t want to finish because each part is so interesting. I loved your thoughts on Nantucket, can’t wait to use the monograms, and have updated my Netflix queue so I can check out Mrs. Miniver…thanks for the pictures–your camera is fantastic. I will be following you online, and I hope to run into you in person again soon!
    Elissa

  17. What a wonderful way to warm up an airplane hangar! How exciting to see so much talent in one room…Thanks for sharing this with us!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *