IFDA “TAKE A SEAT” – Room & Board

IFDA “TAKE A SEAT” – Room & Board


      Wednesday, May 14, 2014 7:04pm 56 degrees

      It was a pleasure to join IFDA NY and NYC&G for their 2nd annual charity auction and gala! 

      More than 200 people showed up to bid on one-of-a-kind chairs by well known Artisans and Designers including industrial designer Karim Rashid, fashion designer Betsy Johnson, and interior designer Michael Tavano.  The auction and party garnered a delightful mix of industry media and designer talent while enjoying refreshing cocktails and scrumptious hors d’oeuvres! 

      It was very special evening for a very special cause. Proceeds are to benefit Habitat for Humanity and IFDA professional development.

      Room and Board hosted the auction event in their spacious, two level showroom. The modern and finely contoured showroom was the perfect setting for this enthusiastic event.  Room and Board is an American manufacturer with more than 90% of their home goods being made in the USA.  

      The evening was cleverly orchestrated.  Register and grab an auction paddle on the ground level then stand and vogue at the “step n repeat” right next to the registration desk (thoughtful flow).  Tall, handsome waiters with  tray pass hors d’oeuvres and special cocktails were plentiful.  Upstairs is where the auction took place and where the magic happened  – I love a good staircase, so,  I went up and down and all around .  This party was a blast.  Chatter and laughter filled the rooms even during auction time.  

      The auction had more than 25 different, creatively infused chairs-  each by a talented artist.  Each artist started with a simple frame and then added their own special couture.  Bright colors, mirrored backs, feathers, butterflies, flowers, crystals and more.  TV Personality, Libby Langdon thoughtfully showed an image of each chair before the artist made it special.  

      Well done IFDA, NYC&G and Room and Board.  We enjoyed your special event because we chair.

        Me and six foot five Peter Kubilus
         (reminder not to stand so close the tall guys)
          Evelyn Miller and Margaret Hutzel


              Libby Langdon –Kendell Cronstrom – Lisa McMahon
                Randall Tarasuk and Charles Pavarini III
                  Randall, Su and Charles
                    Lori Decker (Avery Boardman), Tracy Steele
                      Interior designer and blogger Carrie Leskowitz
                        Mary and Dustin are each so hot that we had to stand 
                        them next to the fire extinguisher!
                          super couple = Michael Tavano and Lloyd Marks
                            Gregory Allan Cramer and Suzanne Sokolov
                              Debbie Viola and Suzanne Sokolov
                                I think Andrew Joseph (AJPR) knows everyone !
                                  Lisa McMahon and Tamara Matthews Stephenson kick off the auction 
                                  and co-chair the event
                                    IFDA gathers a big crowd at the “Take a Seat Auction”
                                    at Room and Board


                                        Financial Investor Chris McMahon is also husband
                                        to PR Empress Lisa McMahon




                                                 “Butterfly Effect” designed by Vanessa DeLeon
                                                  handsome duo =Tim Croneberger and Christian Zavala


                                                      Interior Designer Deborah Martin photographs her chair as it gets positioned
                                                      to be auctioned off at the Room and Board Showroom on Wooster Street in Manhattan
                                                        Caleb Anderson and Andrew Joseph 
                                                        please ignore the sign that
                                                        points to Women
                                                          MC Libby Langdon assists to the auctioneer Harrie Copeland


                                                              Tamara Matthew Stephenson – Interior Designer and Blogger
                                                               “what do you mean I can’t bid on my own chair:”
                                                                This fall, five IFDA chapters are also producing Take A Seat chair exhibits and events in Philadelphia, Boca Raton, Scottsdale, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. 

                                                                #roomandboard #takeaseat #ifda #auction #nyc #charity #alantanksley #nycandg
                                                                 Pages. 55

                                                                Rio Hamilton

                                                                Rio Hamilton is a business development professional with vast marketing and sales experience.He specializes in brand promotion for the luxury interior design and lifestyle industries. Rio works with companies, individuals and groups on concentrated brand identity and elevation. He has a popular website that chronicles "the who's who" at design and fashion events throughout greater New York.

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                                                                0 thoughts on “IFDA “TAKE A SEAT” – Room & Board

                                                                1. Rio,

                                                                  What a great recap of the Take A Seat event. Wasn't it a great evening?! Your way with words described and wonderful photos really captured the spirit of the evening. I was so excited to be part of Deborah Martin and Andrea Algaze's creative team. An added bonus for me was running into and hanging out with Suzanne Sokolov.