Housing Works' Design On A Dime [New York]

by: Anne M. Raso

The Housing Works charitable organization provides shelter, medical attention, legal help, and meals for thousands of homeless people inflicted by AIDS, so any event they have is well worth attending and supporting. This year's Design On A Dime took place at Chelsea's Metropolitan Pavillion and had huge sponsors including KMart and Traditional Home Magazine. Top decorators from the metro area were given secondhand furniture, art, and bric-a-brac (all donated) to design dozens of fabulous rooms for the Housing Works' numerous thrift shops. Then, attendees at the opening night reception could buy these items for, ahem, a dime (or maybe a little more).

I found it interesting that Traditional Home was one of the sponsors, since most of the room designs were rather funky and anything but traditional! Some designers stuck with a 70s or art deco theme, and others went with a more eclectic route. I spotted the Jaclyn Smith for KMart "room", which featured her dresses for only $8 and a Dean and Deluca stand, where their normally ultra-pricey goods were reduced by 30- 40 percent. Their space also included a variety of the most unusual layer cakes - including a Mother's Day cake with a mom tattoo design!

Housing Works events bring out the cleverness of not only the designers and sponsors helping out with the party, but also with the caterers and attendees as well. This organization is about giving back with a dash of fun -  it is never unusual to see some of NYC's most glamorous drag queens (as well as bonafide Hollywood celebs and fashion designers) lurking around! People who were unable to make the opening night event had the opportunity to shop the goods for a couple of days afterwards - on the last day, everything was a cool fifty percent off!

As a supporter of worthy community causes, Financefoodie.com recently had a giveaway for Housing Works' The Taste Of Home party. We will continue to do more wonderful ticket contests with them (and other non-profits) since this charity is near and dear to all die-hard New Yorkers (even ones not interested in redecorating their apartments with donated furniture)!