designing on a budget – all for a good cause

even when saving money is the objective, great and mighty things can be achieved. Housing Works hosted the fifth annual Design On A Dime. ticket and furniture sales from 46 designer vignettes raised big money at the benefit’s opening night at new york’s metropolitan pavilion.

can’t you just imaging sipping a glass of wine in this space with your very best friends before hitting the club scene?  i don’t care what they say on bravo tv’s the fashion show…black is the new black as evidenced in this space. tee-hee!

black on black on natural with just a touch of red

you have to visit the original article in the interior design magazine for images of some of the other spaces in this gala.  the event was held from may 7-9, bringing in $600,000!  beautiful!  even images of the president became part of the design. read  more here.

no one should have to abandon good design just to look wonderful.

renew, reclaim, reuse

i enjoy dressing  foyers with distinctive, unexpected and dramatic pieces.  the entrance sets the tone for things to come by creating anticipation with fluidity.  i am such a lover of old things reclaimed and used in fun and exciting ways.

the root chair in my foyer was rescued from a disparaging life in a field on the side of a highway.  at first glance the herd seemed like nothing special since there were so many pieces (100+).  but as i approached the area, i was amazed at the gracefulness of each piece.  the owner of the store (the mahogany man) said the pieces come from Indonesian plantations which promote the preservation of the life of the plantations.

i’ve seen root chairs used outdoors but increasingly they are used indoors as shown on the cover of veranda magazine.  where ever you put it, plan on it staying there – these pieces weigh a ton!

root coffee table used indoors

each piece is unique and one of a kind.  the roots and stumps are removed so new replacement trees can be planted. they are left outside to dry for approximately one year, depending on the thickness of the root.  after drying, craftsmen examine the shape of the root and determine whether to design a root chair, root table, bench or other unique furniture to accentuate it’s natural beauty to a functional show piece.

my chair serves double duty as a work of art and support for my coffe table books.  i placed it on an old tattered prayer rug I found while shopping at an antique store in hilton head. even with the frayed edges i loved the colors and pattern.

the leaning shutters i found in high point, nc at blue ocean traders.  i had planned to replace my pantry door with these shutters but it was off by a couple of inches so i found a new home for them.

the pedestal in front of the shutters was found at a local vintage store that has since gone out of business.  it’s a little gaudy but that’s what i like about it.  i paid $90 bucks for it.  stealer deal!  it has an over the top look, like it may have been designed by a custom prop company.  (by the way – use prop companies to source out unique custom items that you may otherwise have a difficult time finding on regular buying trips.)