Robin Baron, Jennifer Flanders, Tamara Matthew-Stephenson, Lisa McMahon and Michael Tavano

Thursday, April 17th, 2014 7:11pm 45 degrees

Yippee – there was another fantastic party given by the marvelous people of Housing Works to promote their popular event, “Design on a Dime”.  This time the gathering for more than 150 people was held at the legendary store …. Bloomingdale’s.  

I’m a History Professor at heart so here is a little homework on Bloomingdales – there will be a test on Thursday, April 24th at the Design on a Dime opening night at the Metropolitan Pavilion.

1860-1879
A Store Is Born
To think it all started with a 19th century fad – the hoop skirt. That was the first item that Joseph and Lyman Bloomingdale carried in their Ladies’ Notions Shop in New York’s Lower East Side. Their East Side Bazaar, opened in 1872, sold a wide variety of European fashions. It was the beginning of what would become a “Department Store”.  Kind of reminds me of my new favorite TV show “Mr. Selfridge“.

1970’s
Not A Store, But A Destination
By the 70’s, everyone was stopping by 59th Street and Lexington Avenue for a look – including Queen Elizabeth and the other Queen – Elizabeth Taylor.  People came to see and to be seen.

2014+
Looking Forward
Trendsetting Bloomingdale’s is committed to once again leading the way with exclusive merchandise, customized service and alternative shopping venues.

I heard a rumor (not the Bananarama song) but a little Easter Chick tweeted that the Bloomingdales Furniture Floor (5th) will be exclusive to the  Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams‘ collections in the near future. This explains why their new, inspirational coffee table book  “Who We Are”  was available for guests at the Bloomingdales event for Housing Works.  Based on the company’s “Who We Are” mantras, and published (Assouline) in honor of the 25th anniversary, it gives an inside look at the classic modern designs, family-friendly policies, and ideas for living with comfort, style, and a commitment to helping others.  

Helping Others is exactly what Housing Works is all about.  
See you at “Design on a Dime”.

Henry Stovick (NEST Interiors), Mel Alavarez and Lana Sexton (NEST Interiors)

Talented artist Claw Money, her work will be featured online –  bidding starts with a “click”

#style-  Button or un-button – George and Mel in action

Fan club surrounds TV talk show host Charlie Rose at the Bloomingdales furniture floor on five.

Tyler Wisler and his charming assistant Paula Orange

fetching couple David Raper (DOAD) and Ivan Massa

George Oliphant (NBC George to the Rescue)  with the resplendent Mel Alvarez

Lovely couple Niccolo and Courtney Del Buffa  stands with Christy Everett (Responde)

designer Ron Marvin and friend Matthew Kusniar

three’s company – Phillip Jeffries, Reeta Gyamlani and Guy Regal

Christy Everett and artist Pablo Power

Interior Designer Marc Houston wearing a scrumptious suit and tie !

Handsome photographer  Scott Solberg – “I’m over here Scott”

Megan Cooper, George and Zoe Oliphant  – the ladies are starting their own design  firm and launching some exciting product at Design on a Dime 2014.

Mel Alvarez (Housing Works) and Michael Tavano

Fashionable and entertaining Travis Abbott

Arlene Angard and George Oliphant

Natalie Sinclair, Abigail Tudor and Samantha Toscano

Mel Alvarez, Travis Abbott and George Oliphant

James (Bloomingdales), Patrick Hamilton and Dwayne Clark (Century Furniture)

Scott Solberg, Rebecca Vicars and Darrin Varden

friendly Eric Brown and delightful Raymond Boozer

Bernard Blythe, Richard Dudley (HW board member) and Michael Gordon

Photographer Paul Porter – his camera is bigger than mine !

It is all a blurr – Rio Hamilton, Tyler Wisler, Arlene Angard and George Oliphant

designing with a leg up = Michael Tavano, Patrick Hamilton and Reeta Gyamlani

Travis Abbott – still can’t decide what to wear for Design on a Dime (April 24th)

Marian “striped” and George “checked”

Keita Turner and Byron C. James Rodrigues

Artsy picture of an artist (I’m feeling a little dizzy)

#DOAD #Bloomindales #Love #art #furniture #soiree #housingworks #fashion #style #nottobemissed