20 Apr Here We Come NYC – The Fabulous Design on a Dime Charity Event!

Who would have ever guessed that in one month, April 2016, Deborah Main luxury pillows would debut at High Point Market in N.C. and then Design on a Dime in NYC!?!?! Not me! But because of some fabulous business owners and interior designers, along with wonderful team work and collaboration, this is true!  And it’s been THRILLING!!

But today’s post is all about Design on a Dime happening in NYC Thursday April 21st through Saturday April 23rd, 2016. There are still tickets available for Design on a Dime, (DOAD) so if you’re in NYC, planning to be in NYC, or know anyone in NYC, please purchase a ticket right HERE and attend this fabulous cause!

And the bonus is, you get to see incredible design by friend Jonathan Legate, three of the luxury pillows I designed and donated for his vignette, AND shop and donate to this incredible charity Housing Works. For today, this is a quick post to share more about the event and Jonathan, and a brief  interview with Design Consultant Jonathan Legate.

About Design on a Dime: Elle Decor refers to the event as an “unmatched shopping opportunity.” The 3-day extravaganza and benefit will feature more than 60 of the world’s top designers who create incredible, imaginative vignettes using new merchandise donated by vendors from all over the world. These items are then sold to the public. The VIP Opening Night Reception brings together hundreds of VIP’s, designers, and friends of Housing Works. Design enthusiasts will mingle with top designers and event chairs.  Guests will enjoy a special preview of the room vignettes and exclusive shopping, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment.  It is guaranteed to be a night to be remembered – and all for a great cause; to help Housing Works.

100% of the proceeds from Design on a Dime fund Housing Works and will benefit the newest supportive housing development, Hull Street Residence. Hull Street is a from-the-ground-up housing development project, transforming a vacant 6,000 sq. ft. lot, into beautiful and safe homes for 28 single, formerly homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS.

About Jonathan Legate: 

Halifax-based Design Consultant Jonathan Legate is a rarity in today’s interior design world.  He speaks from his heart and designs with his soul, “Decorating from both ends of the spectrum basically guarantees that you’ll have a look nobody else has.” His individuality sets him apart from the other designers.

His work is both contemporary and traditional, often in a surprising yet seamless integration. He has been featured in various media, and in spring 2009 was Canadian Home and Country’s first Nova Scotian cover in its 20-year history.

IMPORTANT – Jonathan is the first and only international designer selected for this year’s Design on a Dime Benefit. Congratulations Jonathan!!!

Jonathan took some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for our readers:

PG: I heard that you are the first international designer to be invited to create a vignette for Design on a Dime this year in NYC. How does that feel?

JL:  I am very excited and proud to be representing Canada at Design on a Dime (DOAD). It’s an honor to be asked.

PG: Have you attended DOAD before, and can you tell our readers more about its significance?

JL: Design on a dime is a very exciting event. Designers go all out with their visions creating stunning vignettes with all the contents for sale at 50-70 % off retail. As one of the top fundraisers in NYC, my space alone will have almost $70,000 of merchandise. All proceeds go to Housing Works supporting their work with the homeless living with HIV /AIDS. This year the funds will go to support the building of a new residence that will provide homes for their clients.

PG: That must be challenging to find all donated product to make your vignette reflect the high standards and luxury aesthetic you strive for in your work?  What brands and artisans have donated to your vignette and what  are you most excited about? I saw the rug and it is definitely swoon worthy!

JL: I was amazed at the generosity of so many companies. I work with great vendors and Design on a Dime has such a wonderful reputation it was much simpler than I thought it would be to procure the merchandise donations. I even had people offering to donate before I asked, like you, Deborah Main, and your fabulous custom cushions. Before I asked vendors for donations I had a very clear vision of what the room should look like and did concept renderings using the pieces I intended on asking for. (Here’s Jonathan’s rendering below)

This allowed my donors to actually see how their items would be used and how prominently displayed they would be. This is a fundraiser so we wanted lots of merchandise but it was also important to to create a beautifully designed and planned space. I did not ask for or accept things that didn’t fit into my vision. The result will be a room one could imagine living in, a collected space of treasures.  It’s hard to say which of the things are my favorite because they really are all so unique and beautiful.

Thank you Jonathan for taking the time to share a little more about your vignette. Read more about Jonathan Legate featured at Design on a Dime HERE.   Also, here’s a list of the companies that donated to all of the beautiful vignettes that will appear at this exciting fundraising event!

For me personally having Deborah Main pillows appear for the first time in NYC and to be able to design for such a talent designer as Jonathan Legate at this incredibly exciting annual fundraiser.  It’s a true honor and very cool to see my brand, Deborah Main Designs, listed in this loooong list of 500+ wonderful brands donating to Design on a Dime HERE.

I cannot share with you yet Jonathan’s final vignette. (I will in future posts). But you can read more about Jonathan and the brands that donated to his vignette HERE.  All I can say now is that it is going to be G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!!!!  And I can share with you a sneak peek of the textiles I used for the pillows we designed for the vignette, one being a yet-to-be-released brand NEW Deborah Main collection using our vast collection of vintage French trim and hand-turned wood by Jeff Hornung of The Walnut Log. Till next time, please go enjoy yourself for a great cause Design on a Dime. XOPG

Note: Most photography and graphics by, and with permission from, Jonathan Legate and Design on a Dime.