Unforgettable Interiors at Annual "Design on a Dime" AIDS Benefit

Mark Thompson READ TIME: 6 MIN.

NEW YORK, NY - On April 26, 2012, Housing Works will present New York City's most popular interior design benefit event at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea. "Design on a Dime" features more than 50 of the world's top interior designers, who create unforgettable room vignettes with new merchandise, which is donated and then sold for 50 to 70 percent off retail pricing.

Housing Works is a healing community of people living with and affected by HIV/AID, united in the mission to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through: relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain the organization's efforts.

This year, "Design on a Dime's" founding chair, interior designer James Huniford, will be joined by an incredible group of co-chairs, including Evette Rios (craft, design and entertaining expert), Lara Spencer ("Good Morning America" co-anchor, author of "I Brake for Yard Sales," and interior designer), and Charlotte Moss (acclaimed designer and author).

Attracting a star-studded crowd, the "Opening Night Reception" is celebrated with hundreds of VIPs, designers, and friends of Housing Works. A-list design enthusiasts mingle with top designers, including event chairs. Guests will get the first public look at the room vignettes and enjoy exclusive preview shopping, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and live entertainment.

The "VIP Opening Night Reception" will take place on Thursday, April 26, 2012, after which the shopping continues with a "Free Public Sale" on Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28, 2012.

All profits from "Design on a Dime" help Housing Works "Get A Room" for homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Founded in 1990, Housing Works provides lifesaving services to homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS. Since 2005, "Design on a Dime" has raised more than $2 million in support of Housing Works.

Proceeds from previous "Design on a Dime" events have benefitted Housing Works' 874 Jefferson Avenue Residence Project. A new housing development project consisting of 12 permanent units of supportive housing for single, formerly homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS, the Jefferson Avenue Residence Project will involve the substantial renovation of a three-story brick building in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

874 Jefferson Avenue will incorporate many sustainable design and construction techniques, including no-VOC paints and adhesives, floor tiles made of 85% quartz and other recycled materials, and furniture made with recycled plastics. As with all of Housing Works' housing facilities, the 874 Jefferson Avenue Residence has been designed to be a home where residents want to live - and not a place of last resort. With the success of this year's "Design on a Dime," the 874 Jefferson Avenue Residences are slated to open late in the spring of 2012.

DETAILS:

"Design on a Dime" 2012 Chairs:

James Huniford, "Design on a Dime" Founding Chair: From his days as a child in upstate New York, James Huniford has been drawn to the unique strength, shape and scale of American industrial craftsmanship. Abandoned mills, stone quarries, and rusted farm equipment have influenced his designs as much as the art of Jasper Johns and Ellsworth Kelly.

Lara Spencer, Design on a Dime Co-Chair: Lara Spencer has been an anchor for ABC's "Good Morning America" since March 2011. She was previously the show's National Correspondent for five years, from 1999 to 2004. Her first book was "I BRAKE FOR YARD SALES: And Flea Markets, Thrift Shops, Auctions, and the Occasional Dumpster".

Charlotte Moss, Design on a Dime Honorary Chair: Charlotte Moss has developed a signature style and a design philosophy that exemplifies her goal to live passionately, decorate luxuriously, entertain beautifully, and always maintain a sense of humor through it all. Charlotte draws her inspiration from her extensive travels, avid reading, and the legacies of great women.

Evette R�os is a Puerto Rican lifestyle expert, writer, television host, and native New Yorker. She is one of the stars of ABC's "The Chew" where she serves as field correspondent and roving reporter, bringing viewers the latest news from around the country.

This year's "Design on a Dime" designers include:

Amanda Nisbet Designs
Anthony-Wright Interiors
ARDEN
Arlene Angard Designs
Asler Valero
Aur�lien Gallet, LLC
Beale-Lana Interior Design
Bloomingdale's
Brad Ford ID
Branca
Buzz Kelly Interiors
CHARLES FARRUGGIO LLC
CookingforOthers.com
Cullman & Kravis
David Duncan Antiques
De la Torre Design
Dering Hall
Eddie Lee Inc.
Evette Rios for HomeGoods
FAIRFAX STUDIOS
Flair
Foley & Cox Interiors Inc
Genevieve Gorder for Valspar
Harry Heissmann Inc.
High Falls Mercantile
Huniford
J. Pocker
Jarret Yoshida Interiors
John Douglas Eason Interiors
Jonathan Rosen Interiors

Joshua Ingraham Design
Juniper Tedhams
Katie Lydon Interiors
Kristen McGinnis Design
Lara Spencer for One Kings Lane
Lillian August
Lifestyling� By Maria Gabriela Brito
Liv-Chic by Hilary White
Mark Cunningham Inc.
Mark Stephen Design & Production
Matthew Patrick Smyth Inc
Miles Redd
Nathan Thomas Studios
Neal Beckstedt Studio
Nick Olsen
Nickelodeon
Pappas Miron Design
Patrick James Hamilton Designs
Reddymade Design, LLC
Rio Hamilton for Niedermaier
Shields & Company Interiors
Tiger Lily's Greenwich
Tilton Fenwick LLC
Tyler Wisler Home
Willey Design
Yetta Banks for Viacom

"Design on a Dime" Tickets:

Pied-A-Terre - $150 ?Includes one ticket to the Opening Night Reception

Classic Six - $250 ?Includes one ticket to the opening night reception and listing in the event program

Townhouse - $500 ?Includes one ticket to the Opening Night Reception, listing in the event program, access to exclusive VIP Designer Meet & Greet (5:30-6:30pm) with event co-chairs and designers.

Brownstone - $1,000 ?Includes one ticket to the Opening Night Reception, listing in the event program, access to exclusive VIP Designer Meet & Greet (5:30-6:30pm) with event co-chairs, designers and personal shopper/design consultant.

Penthouse - $2,500 ?Includes one ticket to the Opening Night Reception, listing in the program and all event signage, access to exclusive VIP Designer Meet & Greet (5:30-6:30pm) with event co-chairs, designers and personal shopper/design consultant.

Mansion - $5,000? One ticket to the Opening Night Reception, listing in the program and donor wall, access to exclusive VIP Designer Meet & Greet (5:30-6:30pm) with event co-chairs, designers, and personal shopper/design consultant.

Personalized tour (for up to 10 guests) of Housing Works' new residence; includes refreshments/lunch.

LINKS: Housing Works "Design on a Dime" 2012

Tickets link: "Design on a Dime" 2012 Tickets

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by Mark Thompson , EDGE Style & Travel Editor

A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.

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