Vignette by Apartment 48’s Rayman Boozer at last year's Design on a Dime fundraiser for Housing Works.
Photo: Courtesy of Design on a Dime
Housing Works Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Design on a Dime
The annual three-day shopping extravaganza brings together some of the biggest names in design, including James Huniford, Alessandra Branca, Joy Moyler, and Young Huh, to help raise funds for AIDS advocacy
Even the most discerning designers love a good tag sale and there is perhaps no better example than the annual Design on a Dime event. This three-day shopping extravaganza features curated vignettes from some of New York’s most celebrated industry talents with every single element—from the sofas and rugs to the art and decorative objets—all available for purchase in a high-energy spree that helps raise necessary funds for Housing Works, a longstanding organization that supports initiatives and advocacy around the AIDS epidemic.
Vignette by Wesley Moon at last year's Design on a Dime fundraiser for Housing Works. Photo: Courtesy of Design on a Dime
This year is especially poignant as the event, founded by venerable New York designer James “Ford” Huniford celebrates its 20th anniversary. “Twenty years ago, DOAD began as a small cohort of openhearted designers coming together at Housing Works in Chelsea to style a single nook and has grown to an extensive corps of designers and brands,” says Huniford. “The event was conceived as a means to harness the incredible generosity and creative force of the design community to honor our friends lost to AIDS and to help provide dignity and security to those living with HIV. I am forever grateful for the continued support.”
Vignette by De La Torre Design Studio at last year's Design on a Dime fundraiser for Housing Works. Photo: Courtesy of Design on a Dime
Vignette by Redd Kaihoi at last year's Design on a Dime fundraiser for Housing Works. Photo: Courtesy of Design on a Dime
Taking place once again at New York’s Metropolitan Pavilion on West 18th Street, this year’s gathering runs April 23 through 26 with spaces outfitted by longstanding participants like Rayman Boozer, Danielle Colding, and Ghislaine Viñas. Other spaces will feature compilations of collectible design and creative accents organized by Corey Damen Jenkins, David Kleinberg, de la Torre Design Studio, Leyden Lewis, Mark Cunnigham, Peter Pennoyer, Philip Gorrivan, Redd Kaihoi, Richard Mishaan, Robert Couturier, Tina Ramchandani, and more.
As part of the milestone celebration, this year’s Design on a Dime will also feature contributions from Brunschwig & Fils, who lent their maximalist aesthetic to Couturier’s boudoir, as well as Sarah Vaile’s Sun and Games room, The Jardin de Jeux by Roxy Owens, The Lady Saint Patsois Jejeux’s Dressing Room by Nick Olsen, and Isabel Ladd’s Scarlett the Starlet’s Hollywood Studio.
Custom pillow by Celerie Kemble that's included in the Design on a Dime auction to benefit Housing Works. Photo: Courtesy of Design on a Dime
Custom pillow by Shawn Henderson that's included in the Design on a Dime auction to benefit Housing Works. Photo: Courtesy of Design on a Dime
“Our vignette began with the idea of a bold, 1970s-inspired lounge,” says Lewis. “Through the generosity of our partners, it evolved into a layered mix of color, texture, and form. Each piece contributes to a story of warmth, curiosity, and bold materiality—where every object stands on its own while enriching the whole.”
Known for her exuberant embrace of color and pattern Viñas’s space promises to be another cornucopia of expressive treasures. “Our vignette draws inspiration from African textile patterns, rounded organic forms, and earthy, muted hues,” she says. “Patterns from both Basotho and Yoruba cultures appear in our ShweShwe wallpaper collaboration with Flavor Paper, and in the Ladies in Pink photograph from Regeneration Furniture. The oversized circular motifs on the wallpaper is echoed in the soft curves of the Fortune chair by Heller, the Totem stool by Kombi, and the Martie table by Egg Collective. These rounded forms continue in the Bao medium round table by HBF, upholstered in our Madam Dottie fabric in Peppy, a muted yellow that complements the earthy tones of the custom USM shelving and Ferreira de Sá rug. The palette stays grounded in these neutral hues, while colorful art and accessories enhance the sense of playful eccentricity.”
Vignette by Chrissy Ritter at last year's Design on a Dime fundraiser for Housing Works. Photo: Courtesy of Design on a Dime
Vignette by S. R. Gambrel at last year's Design on a Dime fundraiser for Housing Works. Photo: Courtesy of Design on a Dime
Additionally, 50 designers crafted one-of-a-kind pillows being auction to further support Housing Works’ philanthropic initiatives. Currently on display in the window of the Housing Works flagship in Chelsea, the Pillow Talk pieces conceived by Sheila Bridges, Billy Cotton, Thomas Jayne, Katie Ridder, Josh Greene, Joy Moyler, Charlotte Moss, Brian J. McCarthy, Victoria Hagan, Alexa Hampton, Celerie Kemble, Markham Roberts, Shawn Henderson, Carrier & Co., Julie Hillman, Robert Stilin, and more will be shown at the Design on a Dime event.
Custom pillow by Carrier & Co. that's included in the Design on a Dime auction to benefit Housing Works. Photo: Courtesy of Design on a Dime
Custom pillow by Brian J. McCarthy that's included in the Design on a Dime auction to benefit Housing Works. Photo: Courtesy of Design on a Dime
Leading up the main shopping days, Design on a Dime will host a special 20th anniversary dinner and awards ceremony on April 23, this year recognizing Nate Berkus, Jeremiah Brent, and Alessandra Branca. Then, over the next three days, visitors will have the opportunity to take apart the displays, purchasing extraordinary treasures at up to 80 percent off retail prices. And while the adrenaline rush of snapping up a coveted find at a fraction of the price the second the bell rings and velvet rope drops is its own reward, the event has so far raised more than $24 million to support Housing Works’ charitable mission to end HIV/AIDS and homelessness—just the encouragement one needs to spend big and help this important organization continue its monumental work.
Cover: Vignette by Apartment 48’s Rayman Boozer at last year's Design on a Dime fundraiser for Housing Works.
Photo: Courtesy of Design on a Dime
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