Designer Party

Dwell With Dignity Thrift Studio fans get Italian treatment at Cantoni kickoff

Dallas design heavies joined Cantoni founder Michael Wilkov at his flagship store to kick off Thrift Studio, the highly anticipated biannual shopping event benefiting Dwell With Dignity.

Although there is much to see in this spectacular showroom, everyone was anxious to get a look at the new Calligaris studio, a 1,600-square-foot showroom stocked with furnishings, lighting and accessories from the Italian line.

While guests — including John Marrs, Tiffany McKinzie, Jennifer and Coley Clark, Empress Gilbert, and Peggy Levinson — browsed these contemporary must-haves for the home, DJ Lucy Wrubel, as always, kept the energy high.

Italian was the theme for nibbles by Spice of Life Catering (think mini Caprese salad, spaghetti and meatballs, and ravioli) as well as the wines. But we are in Texas, after all, so Lone Star vodka brand Deep Eddy was also in the mix, and one of the best libations of the evening was the Ruby Fizz, with sparkling Italian wine and a splash of Deep Eddy Ruby Red grapefruit vodka.

But enough about the partying. Let's talk about why everyone was really gathered: to celebrate the good work of Dwell With Dignity, which helps local families escape poverty and homelessness by providing home interiors complete with furnishings, art, bedding, kitchen supplies and food in the pantry. Founder Lisa Robison reminded everyone of this mission and thanked the sponsors and designers who make Thrift Studio possible.

Then Kim Turner, Dwell With Dignity vice president and director, piped in, saying that tickets are still available for the preview party on October 9, which is when VIPs gather to get first dibs on the goods styled by local design talent:

CDA Interior Design, Catherine Dolen ASID, RID + Stacy Coulter & Associates
Denise McGaha Interiors + ID Collection
Dan Nelson, Vision Design, Inc. + Jan Barboglio + Peacock Alley
Eleven 11 Design + Brendan Bass Showroom + Robert Allen Design
Gonzalo Bueno and Mauricio Lobeira for X+III + David Sutherland Showroom
Joseph Minton
Paul Duesing Partners
Peter Sandel Design LLC + Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams

Thrift Studio, a pop-up shop featuring fabulously styled vignettes of donated furniture, housewares, accessories and high-end designer finds, is open to the public October 10-November 8 at 1250 Slocum St., Ste. 749, in the Dallas Design Center. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-5:30 pm. All proceeds from Thrift Studio benefit the future work, growth, organization and structure of Dwell with Dignity.

Deborah Pilmmer, Stacy Coulter, Landon Smith, Veronica Georlich, Catherine Dolen, Joe Dolen

Deborah Pilmmer, Stacy Coulter, Landon Smith, Veronica Georlich, Catherine and Joe Dolen, Thrift Shop Kickoff

Photo by Daniel Driensky

Deborah Pilmmer, Stacy Coulter, Landon Smith, Veronica Georlich, Catherine Dolen, Joe Dolen

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Hot to trot

Equest Dallas patrons pony up record $700K at blue ribbon-worthy ball

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

A sold-out crowd of 570 supporters stampeded into Gilley’s Dallas on April 25 for the 44th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala. The Western-chic affair, always one of the most highly anticipated galas of spring, would have a record-breaking night.

Co-chairsKristin and James Hallam and honorary chairs The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and Natalie and David Taylor welcomed patrons decked out in cowboy boots and hats to Gilley's, which had been transformed into a shimmering celebration of all things Equest by event designer Steve Kemble. A “disco saddle” centerpiece even hung from the ceiling.

Emcee Calvert Collins-Bratton welcomed the crowed with a hearty "yee haw!" Equest founder Susan Schwartz presented the Founders Award to Carol Chamberlin, whose three decades of service as volunteer, donor, and barn manager have made her an Equest organization legend. The Citation Award went to Donna and Tim Weber and their daughter Katherine, an Equest client.

New CEO Eric Lindh took the stage to underscore Equest’s mission to provide equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling (much of it free of charge) to children, adults, and veterans. He shared the nonprofit's bold vision for the future, focusing on the number “22,” a call to action inspired by the 22 percent of Dallas County residents living with a disability, the 22 veterans lost to suicide daily in the U.S., and the 22 percent of Americans living with mental illness, while less than half of those receive treatment.

His pledge to expand services to first responders struck a chord with the crowd, as did the moving testimonials from Equest clients.

Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand urged the crowd to “Bid boldly. Bid big. Bid with heart,” and patrons did that in spades. Auctioneer Louis Murad encouraged bidders to raise paddles stridently, starting from initial $10,000 bids onward. Bidding got fast and furious live auction packages that included fabulous trips (with destinations such as France, Antigua, and Montana) and more. The most memorable moment came when a guest insisted Murad - ever the showman - auction off his own sparkling jacket. It fetched $2,000, a purchase by Tim Weber (who clearly loves a good statement piece).

In total, the gala raised $700,000, the largest fundraising amount in Equest’s 44-year history. The Blue Ribbon Ball's proceeds go directly to equine-assisted therapies and other services provided by Equest; for more information, visit the organization's website.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

After a night of sipping, dining, and fundraising, patrons tried their luck at casino games and danced the night away to Jordan Kahn’s Manhattan Orchestra.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were Donna Weitzman, Nancy Greenbach, Natalie Taylor, Therese Rourk, Anne Seanor, Courtney Conley, Maggie Spiegel, Tyler Bridges, Lea LaFortune, Lee and Paul Michaels, Ryan and Kelly Casey, Christina Eubanks, Megan Pharis, Julie Bagley, Laura Johnson, Parker and Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Max Clark, Jordan Glasgow, Anna Gresham, Khaki Christopher, Jessie Dornak, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Sarah and Trey Pederson, Luis Araujo, Amy Green, Kayten Elder, Sila Grogan, Melissa Placet, Tayler Reiter, Danny and Tanya Rice, Tina and Michael Beasom, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.