One of the design industry’s most beloved events, Design on a Dime (DOAD, sponsored by Housing Works and founded by interior designer James Huniford in 2004, took place last month to a raging success and much fanfare.
Now in its 16th year of raising funds and awareness to end AIDS and homelessness, we were especially excited to sit down with Huniford and learn a little bit about his vignette and why DOAD remains such a meaningful, powerhouse event.
Designer James Huniford Photo by Ryan Moore
DOWNTOWN: As the founder of Design on a Dime (DOAD), how did it feel to return after a year of no in-person events to return to a bit of normalcy for such a great cause?
JAMES HUNIFORD: It was an exciting time for Design on a Dime to be New York City’s first in-person event since COVID.
DOWNTOWN: Now in its 16th year, how much have you raised for Housing Works so far? What was the turnout like this year?
DOAD has raised over $20 million to date
JH: DOAD has raised over $20 million to date with involvement and support from so many New Yorkers, business leaders, media moguls, celebrities, writers, the Broadway community, and most of all, the design industry.
DOWNTOWN: What made you choose Housing Works as the beneficiary every year. Why is it the organization close to your heart?
JH: Having a home is such an important part of our lives and being able to provide security and comfort of shelter will allow any challenge and opportunity to blossom.
Photo by Noe DeWitt
DOWNTOWN: Do you participate in designing a booth every year? If so, why, and how do you choose the designers who participate?
We always try to choose a wide range of designers
JH: Yes, I’ve been involved in designing a vignette for all DOAD events. We always try to choose a wide range of designers, from the established ones to the upcoming new talents. It is a great opportunity and it almost feels like a homecoming for the design community.
DOWNTOWN: Can you tell us about your vignette this year? What was the theme?
JH: Summertime, beach, and relaxing.
DOWNTOWN: We loved that it was so cheerful, what inspired the color palette?
JH: The color palette was inspired by the 60’s Saint-Tropez atmosphere.
DOWNTOWN: What do you most love about striped umbrellas? Where is that particular piece from?
I’ve always loved all sorts of stripes
Artwork by Peter Valcarcel; Photo by Noe DeWitt
JH: I’ve always loved all sorts of stripes and I feel that the striped umbrella brought a bit of fun to space. This particular umbrella is DestinationGear 6.5 ft. Aluminum Deluxe Italian Patio Umbrella.
DOWNTOWN: Can you tell us a bit about the lamps—did you create the shades yourself? We love the matching planter and the complementing one’s on the window floor. Where are they from?
JH: I wanted to add a personal touch to the vignette, the hand-painted lampshades are a simple way to personalize the room. The planters are from my collection of objects I’ve collected over the years.
DOWNTOWN: The artwork offers a great pop of color. What inspired that piece and who is the artist?
JH: I love the movement in the art by Peter Valcarcel. The soft palette of colors and the idea of the cutouts remind me of Henri Matisse.
DOWNTOWN: Can you tell us a bit about the mix of textures, materials, and patterns?
JH: Implementing a mixture of different textures, materials, and color palette create depth and an interesting composition that feels more appealing and inviting.
Photo by Noe DeWitt
DOWNTOWN: What was the response like to the booths this year? Who were some new and established designers who really blew it out of the ballpark?
JH: The response from designers as well everyone that visited both in-person and shopped online was impressive. DOAD has been the annual tradition for Housing Works, and the New York design community and it always brings us together for a good cause and fun with design.
DOWNTOWN: Do you foresee expanding DOAD to more cities?
JH: We are planning to bring the event to Miami and we are in early talks to have one in Los Angeles.
DOWNTOWN: What was extra special about this year’s event?
JH: It felt like a homecoming. We brought DOAD back where we started – Housing Works Thrift Shop on 23rd Street where we hosted the first event with 5 designers.
New York-based interior designer Ron Marvin is known for designing refined, sophisticated residential interiors. With a style dubbed as “Gentleman’s Chic,” his tailored, menswear-inspired rooms are always comfortable, elegant, and chock-full of incredible details, art, and furniture meant to last. At this year’s Design on a Dime, Marvin’s booth caught the eyes of passersby—so much so that every piece of well curated art adorning his booth was sold on opening night. We also loved it so much we convinced Ron to sit down with us and give us some behind-the-scenes knowledge.
Interior designer Ron Marvin in front of his Design on a Dime Vignette, 2018.
Downtown: We loved your booth at Design on a Dime this year! What was your inspiration?
Ron Marvin: Every year I have come up with a theme and then worked with that theme when approaching my donors. This year, I did it the opposite. I started with the major donation from RADG. They gave me the sofa, the club chair, the dining table and the two ottomans. Once I had those pieces, the rest of the room fell into place!
Downtown: How many times have you participated in DOAD at this point?
RM: This was my 5th year and I LOVE it! Downtown: What keeps drawing you back?
RM: First of all, it’s for a wonderful cause, Housing Works. Second, it’s the one time of year, I get to do what I want and how I want it. It’s a chance for me to do me with no client parameters.
Downtown: Can you explain the process to our readers in terms of timing, set-up, and finding vendors?
RM: I start the process in February at the moment that Housing Works asks me to participate and the moment I say yes. You have to start asking your vendors and donors EARLY because so many great designers participate, and you want to get in line early!
I come up with my basic concept and idea and then I approach
my vendors with specific asks, to create an overall themed room.
Once the time comes to set up, we have only 13 hours to take an empty room and turn it into our vision! Housing Works delivers all of your donations to your room on Tuesday. We get into the space at 5:00 pm. We have from 5:00–10:00 on Tuesday evening, and from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Wednesday. THAT’S IT! It’s truly like a reality show design competition.
On Thursday night, the evening of the event, at 6:30 they say, “Starts shopping” and people literally run into your room and start grabbing things! Quite literally, start grabbing things.
Ron Marvin Design; Photograph by Mike Van Tassell.
Downtown: How do you manage to get through one, let alone five, DOAD’s?
RM: It’s such a wonderful sense of comradery and teamwork during the set up. It’s hard work, but it’s fun, and it’s rewarding.
Downtown: What advice would you give a DOAD newcomer?
RM: Bring a vacuum! But seriously, you have to remember that you’re here to make money. This isn’t the time for a vanity project. Do what you do, but keep in mind always, “Will it sell?” That’s the bottom line. It has to sell and raise money!
My first year doing Design on a Dime, another designer said to me, “Be ready. It’s a little surreal to see your room being torn apart, but you have to remember one thing: “The best room is an empty room!” I’ve never forgotten those words and I tell every new designer doing it the same thing!
Photograph by Patrick Cline.
Downtown: What are some behind-the-scenes stories you can share?
RM: You can usually tell the first timers from the veterans at set up. The veterans are all there in work clothes, jeans, t-shirts, and comfortable. Many of the new designers are all dressed and looking fantastic! But I’m always thinking, “You know you’re going to be opening boxes and moving furniture, right??” I’m pretty sure they will all be comfortable next year! Downtown: Tell us about the art in your booth. Who were the artists and what do you most love about being able to include them all?
RM: I’ve developed a reputation for having great art in my space. People know to come visit me for it. I have several friends and colleagues who are artists. I reach out to all of them, and give them the mock up of my space and ask what they might have that might work in the room. They usually come back with several options. I then pick three and rank them. Three of the artists this year decided to donate all three pieces! I’m very fortunate to have such talented and generous art donors. Also, side note, EVERY SINGLE PIECE of art in my room sold this year. EVERY PIECE!
Photograph by Patrick Cline.
Downtown: What is the feeling like to see your booth taken apart?
RM: I personally LOVE seeing my room get torn apart. I think it comes from all of my years in retail. I actually stay in my booth all night long so I can help sell everything and talk up my donors and my artists. I actually take it a little personally if something in my room doesn’t sell!
Downtown: Which item in your booth do you wish you could have taken home with you?
RM: Hands down, the Dumais Made lamps! I’m a “self-confessed lamp tramp” and I really wanted them! I also really wanted the custom bar from Aronson’s Woodworks. They made that specifically for me and for Design on a Dime!
Downtown: What were some of your favorite booths at the event and what drew you to them?
Photograph by Patrick Cline.
RM: Marc Cunningham’s space is always a master class. I was very happy to be next to him this year. I also always love to see what the two founders, Miles Redd and Ford Huniford, create. They always do an AMAZING job!
Downtown: What do you most love about participating in DOAD?
RM: The charity, the comradery, the teamwork and the freedom to create!
Downtown: What are you working on now? Where can our readers find you?
RM: Right now, I’m working on combing two apartments in Lincoln Center, one apartment on the Upper East Side, and one on the Upper West Side. I’m also doing a big renovation project in Provincetown and a big house in Iowa that I’m working on with my brother who is the contractor! You can also find me on Instagram at @ronmarvin.
Saudah Saleem’s interiors are infused with saturated color, cultural elements, engaging artwork, and beautiful designs melding styles, textures, and finishes. Saleem recently offered her talents to Housing Works’ Design on a Dime, creating a visual masterpiece that brought attendees back, again and again—including this Downtown editor. Below, Saleem agreed to share everything from her process and design style to tips for fellow designers hoping to soon embark on their first Design on a Dime Experience. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!
Design by Saudah Saleem for Housing Works’ Design on a Dime.
Saudah Saleem.
Downtown: Was this your first time creating a booth for Housing Works’ Design on a Dime? What was the experience like for you?
Saudah Saleem: This is actually my second year participating as a featured designer at Design on a Dime. Housing Works provides designers such a unique opportunity to share our time, talent and design perspectives as part of this amazing annual fundraising event. We spend months, days, and hours of planning to make our design visions come to life for this one very special evening.
As a returning designer, my experience was vastly
different from my first time around. This year, because I knew what to expect,
I found myself able to relax a bit and enjoy the process even more.
Downtown: How would you describe your booth? What was the theme?
SS: My booth combined my love of bold color, cultural influence, and fashion with pattern, luxe textiles (like velvets and furs), and sophisticated detailing (did you see the tufting on the sofa or the Mongolian fur on the custom stools?!) to create what I called Soulful Luxe. My goal for the vignette design was to incorporate touches of culture, luxury and a sense of style in a way that was eye catching and reflective of a contemporary lifestyle.
Design by Saudah Saleem.
Downtown: We fell in love with everything about your booth. Where did you source everything included?
SS: Wow, thanks so much! It was a real joy to put together. I loved blending African-inspired and modern luxe styles to create this look. I used vendors and brands that I absolutely love. What made creating the space even more special was the fact that, with the exception of a few vendors, all of the pieces I used were from either woman owned/operated or minority owned establishments.
Design by Saudah Saleem for Housing Works’ Design on a Dime.
Downtown: Can you tell us about your design style and how it influenced how you approached your booth?
SS:
My signature design style infuses vivid color and a mix of both traditional and
eclectic design elements to create an aesthetic that is inspiring and sophisticated
yet approachable.
The spaces I design almost always include
bold color, a mix of finishes, and a nod to fashion and culture. While that
typically makes for a fun and visually interesting space, this year I wanted to
show that using these elements could also create a space that is quite
sophisticated and luxurious. I wanted to
create a space that mixed modern luxe with curated and cultural elements. Creating
a well-appointed space is more than just adorning it with cool pieces, it’s
identifying those pieces, their story, their history/meaning and then using
them in a way that connects with people.
Each unique piece I used in the vignette was curated not only for its
physical beauty but also for its ability to resonate and invoke a feeling or
mood.
It’s also very important to me to design
spaces that are not only beautiful to look at but also comfortable and
accessible. I think I accomplished that here.
This year I was blessed to work with some amazingly generous donors. From the fabulously rich red Karma rug donated by Nourison to the gorgeous blue velvet channel back Aviator sofa and cream and gold accent chairs provided by TOV Furniture, my vignette was filled with bold statement making pieces. The stunning graphic black and white print Mitchell Black wallpaper was a crowd favorite and provided the perfect backdrop for the artwork by Brooklyn Dolly and Rachel Stewart Art. Sprinkled throughout the vignette were more nods to culture and fashion, like the stunning oversized African feathered necklace and African glass beads from Chairish, a diverse collection of fashion books that included CHANEL, Seventies Glamour, and TheCoveteur, and the pair of Mongolian fur-trimmed ottomans from TUFT.
Design by Saudah Saleem for Housing Works’ Design on a Dime.
Downtown: How would you describe the process to a designer who has not yet participated? What advice would you give them?
SS: The whole process can be a bit daunting initially but the benefits of participating are beyond rewarding. There are lots of logistics to be considered (contacting vendors, arranging shipments and deliveries, creating a cohesive look from goods donated from a variety of sources). My advice to incoming designers would be that although, as designers, we pride ourselves on staying true to our initial visions, with DOAD, you have to allow yourself to be flexible in the process. We rely heavily on the generosity of donors. As such, there may be times when the product you want to use is not available. Those instances require you to think on your toes and stay flexible. Always keep in mind a plan B or an alternative look you can execute.
Advice:
Start soliciting for donations early on. If there’s an item you really want to feature in your vignette or a brand you’ve been dying to work with, go for it! Reach out to vendors and share Housing Works’ amazing mission on ending AIDS and homelessness. You’d be surprised how many people want to give back and are willing to generously donate to such a great cause.
Think ahead! As you’re planning the install of your space, try to anticipate both the best, and the worst case scenarios. Always have a plan B!
Pay attention to the deadlines!
Don’t hesitate to reach out to designers and creatives who’ve previously participated.
Design by Saudah Saleem for Housing Works’ Design on a Dime.
Downtown: Can you share any of the war stories in getting the booth actually set up? How much time do you have to get it all done?
SS: Although we plan for months leading up to the event, we have a very short period of time to actually install our spaces. We are allotted a total of 13 hours to essentially transform a completely empty box into a fully designed, curated, and styled space. So, it’s a bit chaotic, and it’s definitely an all-hands on deck sort of situation. In addition to calling in help from tradesmen, I called on friends to help with everything from unboxing to making runs to the flower district for fresh florals.
Downtown: Do you have any behind the scenes stories you can share?
SS: I was born and raised in NYC, but I’m based in Maryland now. So juggling the everyday duties that come with being a mom of five and the logistics of planning a long distance design and install with so many moving pieces can be a challenge.
Attendees get to see the perfectly styled spaces on opening night, but know little of the behind the scenes craziness that goes on just hours before the big night. During the install, I was fielding calls from everyone from the school nurse, my toddler wanting to FaceTime me to show me her latest unicorn drawing, to my college-aged daughter looking for advice on what to wear. Meanwhile, the wallpaper installer informed me that the wallpaper I’d been waiting all day to have put up wouldn’t be able to happen until day two of installation, throwing a monkey wrench in my plan to have the bulk of the installation of my space installed on day one times right?
Design by Saudah Saleem for Housing Works’ Design on a Dime.
Downtown: What is one item in your booth you wish you could have taken home yourself?
SS: Oh my goodness! There were so many pieces that spoke to me in my vignette. I would love to have taken home that gorgeous blue Aviator sofa from TOV! The rich color, tufted detail and the Lucite feet were giving full on luxe vibes.
Downtown:
What were a couple of your favorite booths and why?
SS:
Designers really bought their A game this year! There were so many amazing thoughtfully
designed spaces. A few personal favorites were:
Halden Interiors (serene, modern organic feel with cultural influences and so much texture)
Bailey Li (Her space spoke to the truly transformative powers of a designer’s ingenuity. Her custom-painted metallic finished walls were stunning. Every piece in her space had a unique story of its own yet she was able to visually connect each piece to one another.)
Beth Diana Smith (the way the lighting twinkled against the pieces in her vignette felt absolutely magical. Loved the jewel tones juxtaposed against those brass accents.)
Design by Saudah Saleem for Housing Works’ Design on a Dime.
Downtown: Would you participate in DOAD again and if so, why? Do you have an idea of what your booth would look like?
SS: Absolutely! It’s such an amazing opportunity to give back. I haven’t started working on what my booth will look like next year, but you can always count on me for a modern mix of color, pattern, and curated global pieces!
Downtown: What has been one of the most rewarding aspects of participating in DOAD?
SS: One of my favorite parts of this event is the beautiful
relationships cultivated with other designers as we work alongside one another.
Yes, we are all focused on presenting our best, but there is also this
collective spirit of support and comradery amongst the designers. Lending one
another a helping hand, sharing resources, giving styling advice, and even
splitting dinner orders are all part of the experience that makes this event so
memorable.
The reward is two-fold. There is
the beauty in the bond that’s created with fellow designers, and then there is
the reward in know that this beautiful experience we’ve been blessed to
participate in directly impacts and benefits the lives of so many. This year,
more than $1.1 million was raised in support of this effort. Talk about giving
back!
Downtown: What is next for you?
SS: It’ll be a busy summer. I’m currently working on client projects in NYC and Virginia as well as planning to do another design event in NYC in August.
Design by Saudah Saleem for Housing Works’ Design on a Dime.
Beth Diana Smith’s full-service eponymous firm focuses on creating stellar experiences and tailoring each design to each particular personality. Besides her bold, incredibly alluring interiors, Smith is known for devising curated spaces with customized design elements that propel her clients into living in the manner they’ve only previously dreamed of. At this year’s Housing Works’ Design on a Dime event, Smith created one of the most showstopping vignettes around. We were so taken with her fearless use of color, unapologetic style, and incredible eye, that we convinced her to sit down with us and share some insight into her design process and Design on a Dime in general.
Design by Beth Diana Smith; Photograph by Rayon Richards.
Beth Diana Smith.
Downtown: What made you decide to take part in Design on a Dime (DOAD)? Was this your first time?
Beth Diana Smith: Luckily for me, another designer who was doing DOAD in Miami last year referred me for 2018’s DOAD in NYC. As a Greater-NYC area based designer, I was largely aware of the annual fundraising event and jumped at the opportunity to do something to give back and to have creative freedom. This year was my second year and it was even better than the last!
Downtown: What was the process like from start to finish? When did you first begin to prepare for it?
BDS: The process started with the design concept and I had that relatively mapped out in December/January. I knew I wanted jewel tones, a lot of brass, funky art, beautiful things, and cultural influences. From then on, it was about asking (and really hustling) for donations from vendors whose product I loved, relationships that I valued, or items that would fit in with my vignette. It really boiled down to tracking donations, evolving the design, and prepping for the whirlwind days of putting together the actual installation.
Design by Beth Diana Smith; Photograph by Rayon Richards.
Downtown: Our readers only see the finished booths…what was the set up like? How long did you have and what was that experience like?
BDS: Set up is chaotic in general! We have from 5:00 to 10:00 PM one night (day 1) and then from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM the next day (day 2)—and we really do have to be done by 4:00 pm. I planned in advance by securing a team of helpers for day 1 and one amazing helper (who happens to be a winning female bodybuilder, so she was all the muscle I needed). For day 2, I sent each of them a checklist and what their main jobs would be in advance, and I had elevations for each wall prepared for logistics.
Design by Beth Diana Smith; Photograph by Rayon Richards.
I had a major water leak in my home the night before the first day of install, so while my neighbor was trying to turn off the water to my home, I was in my garage throwing all of the DOAD fragile items into the trunk of my SUV before they got damaged. The fragile items were the items I planned to bring directly to the venue myself to ensure nothing got damaged (ha!). So this year was an elevated level of chaos, however, I was prepared and thankful that I had planned so much in advance.
Downtown: Where there any favorite bonding moments between designers?
BDS: Yes, the helping moments. When you can lend another designer your drill or ladder, help them set something up, or help them solve a problem. A little help goes a long way and you remember those moments.
Downtown: You had one of the most vibrant, eye-catching booths. Tell us about your theme and how it came out?
Design by Beth Diana Smith; Photograph by Rayon Richards.
BDS: Well thank you! My theme was called Cultural Oasis: a nod to my own home that is filled with various cultural influences and is relatively eclectic. I wanted to have a heavy Black influence, which is seen in my art selections, and really unique and unexpected pieces like the Fashion Faces from the Phillips Collection. I really love how everything came out.
Downtown: Tell us about the designs you chose. We loved everything, but that lighting was quite spectacular!
BDS: The lighting I think truly put things over the top. I used the Ndebele Necklace Pendant from 54kibo that is designed and handmade in Cape Town, South Africa and I paired it with 10 Voodoo Pendants from Currey & Company. The Voodoo Pendants are perforated brass with a Moroccan style where as the Ndebele Pendant is a mix of wooden rings and yarns that is inspired by African jewelry. The mix of the two designs gave this beautiful juxtaposition and tons of visual interest.
Design by Beth Diana Smith; Photograph by Rayon Richards.
I was lucky to gather some amazing furniture donations such
as the bar cart and chairs from Made Goods
which are art in their own right, end tables from Oly Studio, and a custom white Macauba
quartzite coffee table—the latter thanks to Peter Brooks Stone Works and Basemeant Wrx for bringing that vision
to life.
Accessories, art, and décor are what really elevate a space
and makes it feel complete, so I went heavy on those details. I used planters,
pillows, art, and books from the Jungalow;
artwork from Brooklyn Dolly and
Natalie O Décor that became my main art selections and the inspiration for
everything else; decorative pieces from Tuft and Kravet whose large red ginger jar surrounded
by elephants was one of my favorite pieces; pillows from Eva Sonaike all the way from London, Reflektion Design, and Knotty Scarves who has these really
beautiful embroidered pillows etc. And to top it all off Blooming
New York, a floral designer who I met the week before Design On A Dime,
blessed my vignette with beautiful floral arrangements.
Downtown: How did your design concept stay true and change over time?
Design by Beth Diana Smith; Photograph by Rayon Richards.
BDS: Everything
stayed true to the original concept, minus the fact that I wanted more cultural
variety, such as Buddha and Ganesh representing Buddhism and Hinduism. I wasn’t
able to secure those donations so I had to pivot.
Downtown: What designs in your own both were you dying to take home yourself? In other booths?
BDS: I really, really wanted the Sunday Girl print from Brooklyn Dolly that I had custom framed, the sofa, and the set of the Fashion Faces. There were so many amazing vignettes so it’s hard to say, but…I would have loved to take Saudah Saleem’s wallpaper, books, and the large textured white vases. Halden Interiors’ beaded necklaces and the mirror with the fringed bottom, Bailey Li’s silver console, Eneia White’s hardwood wall as my floor, Rayman Boozer’s orange Smeg refrigerator for outdoor entertaining, and Francis Interior had some great accessories so I would like to take another spin in there.
Downtown: What were some of your favorite booths this year and why?
BDS: My favorite booths were Saudah Saleem, Halden Interiors, and Eneia White all for different reasons. Saudah’s was just beautiful and filled with so much color (and I love color), art, and texture. And I cannot stop thinking about her wallpaper. Halden Interiors, owned by Kesha Franklin, made me want to work in her vignette as if it was a home office made for a designer. And Eneia White’s made me want to entertain my girlfriends in skirts and heels with bottles of champagne.
Downtown: What was the experience like in participating in Design on a Dime? Would you do it again?
BDS: The experience is a mix of being insanely busy and huge fun. I definitely plan on doing it again next year.
Design by Beth Diana Smith; Photograph by Rayon Richards.
Downtown: What advice would you offer an incoming designer to Design on a Dime?
Design by Beth Diana Smith; Photograph by Rayon Richards.
BDS: Read all the
emails, attend the DOAD Kick Off party so you can meet the other designers,
hustle for your donations, and don’t be afraid to ask questions to the
designers who have already done it.
Downtown: Do you have ideas for what your booth will look like next year? What is on the horizon for you?
BDS: I am planning on doing it again next year, but I’m not sure what I want it to look like just yet. However, I do have a list of vendors who I plan on tapping again because they were great to work with and their product is amazing. Currently I’m working on a few client projects and I’m also in the process of redesigning my own home.
Design by Beth Diana Smith; Photograph by Rayon Richards.
CNN Anchor Don Lemon and actress Patricia Clarkson attend the Housing Works’ Groundbreaker Awards Dinner 2019 on April 24, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Housing Works).
On April 24, 2019, Housing Works held its 7th annual Groundbreaker Awards Dinner on the eve of Design on a Dime—an event celebrating the 15th edition of its fight to end AIDS and homelessness through design. The moving dinner, which celebrated leaders in design, art, and philanthropy, was hosted by luminaries across all fields. CNN anchor Don Lemon kicked off the night with some hilarious yet poignant remarks while Portia de Rossi and Patricia Clarkson brought some levity and spirited banter. Jim Shreve (President and CEO of Baccarat) and Darren Walker (President of Ford Foundation), were both honored for their philanthropic efforts and continued contributions in the fight against HIV/AIDS and homelessness. Not to be forgotten, Matthew Bernardo (President of Housing Works) and James Huniford (Founder of Design on a Dime,) also gave some moving speeches. All in all, it was a night to remember, and the actual event was yet to come!
Design Entrepreneur Award Winner, Founder & CEO, General Public, Portia de Rossi, Design on a Dime Founding Chair, James Huniford, and Designer Cliff Fong pose during the Housing Works’ Groundbreaker Awards Dinner 2019 on April 24, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Housing Works).
On Thursday, April 25th Design on a Dime’s 15th edition kicked off. A benefit started in 2004, the four-day-long event is now one of the design industry’s most loved and esteemed fundraisers, bringing together some of the most sought-after creatives in the field of interior design. At each Design on a Dime event, a select group of designers donates their time and skills to create one-of-a-kind vignettes with furniture, art, home décor items, and more, with items donated by caring vendors. The opening night starts with a 5:30 pm preview. At 6:30 pm, visitors are allowed to shop every single item in each booth—all marked at 80% off the retail value. Influential tastemakers, celebrities, and design aficionados flock to DOAD year after year, happy to shop for a cause. Proceeds from Design on a Dime and the Groundbreaker Awards dinner go toward the nonprofit’s supportive housing, lifesaving services, and advocacy efforts to bring social justice to marginalized New Yorkers and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Design on a Dime 2019; Photograph Mike Van Tassell.
Trip.com is an innovative planning tool that tailors recommendations for places to stay, eat and play to your specific tastes. It also allows you to share your great experiences with people who have the same interests as you; people in your “tribes.”
Trip.com’s TripPicks This Week feature empowers you to discover and take advantage of great events, openings and exhibits throughout the city each week.
Here are some exciting events and sites to check out this week in Downtown New York, courtesy of Trip.com. Visit the Trip.com site or download the app for more upcoming events.
Inside Out Tours’ NYC Slavery & the Underground Railroad Tour is a riveting history lesson on slavery in colonial New York. Visit important archaeological sites, Foley Square, and discover the events (like the Draft Riots of 1863) and people (the courageous David Ruggles among them) who risked everything to help secure the freedom of others. Tickets start at $20.
NY Drinks NY is an event that celebrates New York winemakers and food artisans. Sip and taste your way through the Finger Lakes, Long Island, the Hudson River Valley, Lake Erie, the Thousand Islands and Niagara Escarpment. These local pours and bites will confirm that New York is, and always was, the best at everything! $55.
Drink, Draw & Take Action is a creative way to have your voice heard. Create handmade messages to members of Congress on issues that matter most. All you need to bring are stamps: blank postcards, markers, pens and crayons will be provided, and you can buy drinks and snacks from the tasty Housing Works Cafe. Rebecca Schiff will be on hand to read inspiring words of action. FREE!
Friday, Mar. 10 – Saturday, Mar. 11 (check site for showtimes)
Over thirty years later, James Cameron’s The Terminator is still one of the best films of all time! We have seen it dozens of times and we are going to see it again because right now we need a reminder that evil cyborgs can be beat. $15.
Monday-Wednesday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM; Thursday-Saturday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM; Sunday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Already a huge hit in Rome, Trapizzino has opened its first ever U.S. location in New York! A sandwich/pizza hybrid, the rectangular bread pocket is split open and stuffed with rotating Roman specialties like pollo alla cacciatora, carciofi alla Romana and parmigiana di melanzane. Make sure to try the suppli, the Roman version of the riceball.
The Sunday Social Pop-Up features art, goods, music and fancy cocktails. Interactive artist experiences include henna tattooing, palmistry and tarot card reading, plus artists Nathalie Helfer of NativAzul and Adrienne Charuel of Tala will present their works. Grab a drink and complimentary snacks and and peruse an array of the handcrafted creations from local artists. RSVP early for one FREE cocktail.
Saturday, Mar. 11 – Sunday, Mar. 12 from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Cat Camp is New York’s first ever “feline-focused conference and adoption extravaganza.” Spend the day attending talks by folks like Animal Planet’s Cat Daddy Jackson Galaxy, exchanging tips and stories with fellow cat lovers, and browsing the cat-focused goods of dozens of vendors. Tickets start at $20.
