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.