Last night Housing Works celebrated its ninth annual Design on a Dime, where leaders in the design community came together to help raise funds for homeless people and those living with HIV/AIDS.
Coming right on the heels of Housing Works’ first annual Groundbreaker Awards, this year’s Design on a Dime was an exhilarating success, with a record-breaking 62 room vignettes curated by leading designers such as Huniford by James Huniford, Patrick James Hamilton Design, Foley & Cox Interiors, and this year’s Design on a Dime co-chairs: Yetta Banks, Genevieve Gorder, Evette Rios, Sabrina Soto, and Lara Spencer.
The event began at 5:30pm, with designers arriving and press given exclusive sneak previews of the vignettes. Within minutes—minutes!—the Metropolitan Pavilion was packed with designers, design aficionados and VIP ticket attendees, with the line for entry already halfway down 18th street.
The glorious array of room vignette items went on sale at 6:30pm sharp, with the event co-chairs: Yetta, Evette, Sabrina, Genevieve, and Lara, counting down until the clock struck 6:30pm and the shopping could begin!
Highly coveted items included everything from one-of-a-kind sofas, kitchenware, framed art, and rare photographs, including portraits of Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Patti Smith, Lady Gaga, and the always-coveted Ryan Gosling. In addition, Danielle Colding Design’s vignette room sold out, as did co-chair Evette Rios’s room.
Co-chair Evette Rios, a New York native, expressed her love for Housing Works and our work on behalf of those living with HIV/AIDS. “I have been a fan of Housing Works for so long now, and am so proud to be a part of an event like Design on a Dime, which does so much for people who have so little.”
Genevieve Gorder for Valspar Paints echoed the same sentiment, saying, “I just think it’s so wonderful to see the Design community come together on behalf of New York’s HIV/AIDS community.”
All of Design on a Dime’s funds going toward Housing Works’ housing for people living with HIV/AIDS. This year’s proceeds will go toward finishing up our Jefferson Avenue Residence as well as our new Hull Street Residence in Brooklyn. Our Hull Street facility will comprise 28-unit permanent supportive housing units for homeless single adults with AIDS. Each unit at 220 Hull Street will contain a full kitchen and a full bathroom, and the ground floor will include a lounge and space for support staff, office equipment, and a staff kitchen. All residents will have access to a landscaped 40’ x 60’ rear yard and a rooftop terrace.
The target population for 220 Hull Street will reflect Housing Works’ overall client population, all of whom are very low-income, 91% of whom are African-American, Latino, or other minority, and one-third of whom identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. The profile of residents at this project accords with Housing Works’ long-standing mission of helping the most vulnerable members of society affected by the AIDS epidemic.’
If you were unable to join us at last night’s opening reception, fear not! The event continues with Design on a Dime’s Public Day sales, which will begin today at 10am through Saturday, April 26th at 6pm.
Photos of last night’s Design on a Dime are available on Housing Works’ Thrift Shops Facebook page, as well as Getty Images’ website.
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