Last night we slipped into the Design on a Dime Benefit organized by Housing Works and sponsored by Domino Magazine. It was wall to wall glamorous people and rubber necking. We found ourselves glad that we could hide behind the camera.
In short, it is a very cool idea that is still a bit rough, but growing. We even like the roughness. We spoke with James Huniford, one of the designers and an organizer, who said next year they would be doubling the size of the benefit.
The idea is that furnishings and housewares are all donated to Housing Works and then ten well known interior designers assemble a chic room out of what has come in. The results were some really attractive and imaginative vignettes that show off the hand of the designer and not the glam of a expensive new objects. Skill is required as many of the pieces are NOT very fancy.
EVERYTHING is for sale, and all the proceeds go to benefit Housing Works. You can check it out today and tomorrow from 11-6pm.
It's paper plates!
Christopher Trujillo in front of his lamp
Our favorite vignette was Sharon Simonaire's white room. With a stunning paper plate chandelier by her assistant Christopher Trujillo, we felt that this one really came together.
This is worth checking out, but beware if it is crowded as the room fills up quickly and it is hard to move around. (Thanks, Amy!)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
from what i could tell from the crowded slide show, this looks really great. i love the concept (most of us, after all, are creating new spaces with pre-existing furniture rather than just going out and buying all new everything), and i think i'm going to stop by and try to get ideas for my own projects.
i especially like the framed Vogue covers, which is similar to something I'm trying to put together in my kitchen.
What is that interesting light fixture that looks like lots of pieces of paper?
I see, it's paper plates. That's what I get for getting excited and posting before reading everything!
It's like the Frank Ghery Cloud lamp from DWR that he designed stapling together paper cups. Same damn thing. What cracks me up is that DWR then tells you how the 'official' manufactured version is $1000 + when I think the quirky, but cheap original is much more charming.
like the jonathan adler, styrofoam cup ball lamp thing he does.
I am a complete fan of Housing Works. I'm lucky in that I live near one & I've bought some stuff there plus I've also purchased some things through their online auctions. I'm always amazed at the creativity of the store windows. Fun design & a great cause. Long may Housing Works live.
Thanks for the fabulous photos and comments! I wish there was a full shot of my vignette since I arrived last nite with a dead battery in my camera, anyway thanks to everyone for all the support. The turnout was amazing and what a great cause. We designers get to have our Project Runway moment once a year for Housing Works. Christopher has received more than a dozen commissions on his paper plate chandelier!
I love your site Max and send you my best,
Sharon Simonaire
It is rare to find raw, unpretentious talent that exceeds expectation when there is less, rather than more. Economizing resources and expanding vision clearly actualized his design on a dime. Whoever he is, Trujillo has shined a light on reconstructing a budget.
Maxwell, YOU may think many of the things are not very fancy, but just browsing a few pages at the website, I found a ton of stuff I'd love to have!
There's a sailing boat in Artwork, I like the colors. That's what generally draws me to things, the colors. Nothing flashy about it, with it's barely there greens and blues. Is it maybe in Venice?
And all the cool curly metal furniture. This IS garden month. And I'm thinking how great it would look to make a garden sitting area out of the metal furniture...but NOT for sitting. No, instead, using all the pieces to provide support for delicate trailing flowers and vines. Maybe brightly colored pots. oooh, ahhh.
oh oh oh, and if I could squash my boobies into that red Escada halter top, I'd be back causing traffic accidents.
oh oh oh and there's a dress in there, that would look great on one of the gals that was in the pictures of the AT-Chicago party. It's an Anne Klein dress, the beigeish one with spaghetti straps. There were two girls pictured together, one in pink with a ponytail and one in...uh...like maybe cargo pants? Anyway, she has that kind of body that those dresses look good on. Very slim, with bust, waist, and hips about the same size. Those spaghetti strap sheathes ONLY look good on slim women. They have to DRAPE the body. Oooh, it's BEADED. Dang, then it becomes a bit too flapper, and it's way to big for the gal in the picture at AT-Chicago.
I NEVER had one of those bodies. Try draping something on me, and I could have twins or a chuck roast under there in the front below the boobie area.
How come designers get to have all the fun? Maybe sometime they could have regular people join in, and let the public vote on the assembly of items.
Didn't Christine in DC want a "bracelet table"...Christine? How about painting one of the metal ones and putting in a glass top?
I think I know where I'd be shopping if I lived in that area. Lots of really neat stuff.
Thanks for acknowledging my work. I believe in the concept of Design on a Dime. I support the project, Housing Works and have volunteered for other Housing works events... but...this was a perfect opporutity to be in the midst of great designers and the support of everyone who attended. I had a chance to work with Sharon Simonaire at the last design event and I respect her work. I want to thank her for including me. I was inspired by her decision to paint designer pieces and cover excess with one coat of paint. I welcome your comments and interest.
maxwell, so glad you came to the event and saw the great work the designers did for housingworks. only wish you had come up to say hello---would've loved to have met you!