Design on a Dime 2013

Design on a Dime is one of the interior design community’s most popular events. Yesterday evening was the opening reception, and was, as usual, a wildly well attended venue. Benefiting Housing Works‘ programs for homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, this year’s benefit funds their newest housing development in Brooklyn, The Hull Street Residence. Over 60 top tier designers created rooms with primarily donated merchandise, which is then sold for 50- 70% off retail. It is a shopping opportunity like no other and this year’s rooms are a stellar group of design vignettes featuring fantastic furniture, art and accessories. Let’s take a first quick peek at just a few of the rooms. Designer Antonino Buzzetta is a rising star. His salon-like space was one of the most glamorous rooms of the evening.

With walls of printed fabric depicting Versailles, the vignette exuded a layered classic elegance with a modern mix. Thoughtful coordination of colors and textures yielded a room of fashionably timeless chic that reminded me of Ingrid Bergman’s fabulous flat in Indiscreet.

 I was ready for a dry martini in a Dior cocktail dress!

Larry Ruhl always designs such creative interesting vignettes. This year was no exception and in a double sized space, his room representing his shop High Falls Mercantile made a major impact.

With walls of maps and photos and book pages strewn around, it made me feel that there was hope for my office!

Larry’s unique version of rustic eclectic chic always has an intellectual bent that I love and I could have spent hours perusing the books and layers of history in his space.

Arden Stephenson‘s space was anchored by a spectacular Florence Broadhurst wallpaper from Studio Four.

Its large graphic print was the perfect backdrop for an eclectic mix of natural and gold toned furniture and accessories with pops of emerald on the vintage slipper chairs. A chest from Bungalow 5 features a cerused trim that is a popular finish lately with textural rope lamps and gold painted tole mirror.

Black wire tables, splat prints from GRIS Antiques and acid green velvet pillows all contribute to the successful combination of elements.

David Duncan transformed his space into a handsome library. Fabulous wallpaper, beautiful antiques from his eponymous shop and classical accessories made for an timeless elegant vignette.

Another successful use of wallpaper was seen in John Douglas Eason’s room. One of my favorite Fornasetti patterns from Lee Jofa, Nicchi, set the tone for a sophisticated mix of elements.

The Berkeley Desk and Kensington Arm Chair from Bungalow 5, with the same gray cerused oak finish seen before, worked perfectly with the tonality of the wallpaper.

And I loved the rough luxe mix of the Dennis Miller/Espacio custom Ceniza Dresser with glittering accessories.

We’ll be looking at more of the fantastic rooms from this year’s Design on a Dime as I attempt to catch up on all the recent design events. I am excited to report that today I am off to my former stomping grounds of Providence for the opening gala at RISD of the Artist/Rebel/Dandy: Men of Fashion exhibit with guest André Leon Talley, who will be signing copies of his new title The Little Black Dress. More to come!