Kicking off the summer season in the Hamptons with a designer showhouse with ARF in Sagaponack
Summer in the Hamptons:
kicking it off with a tribute to
"Man's Best Friends"
& the ARF designer show house
People in the Hamptons love their animals, and since dogs are man's best friend, these canine lovelies (and their cat friends as well) were celebrated in a special show house at the ARF rescue center in Sapaponack last evening. Each year, ARF brings together local interior design talent who transform the wares from the ARF thrift shop and donate their own items to create beautiful spaces in order to pay homage to their very own pets. These rooms are a lovely medley of creativity, love and support.
Seeing these special spaces realized gave me unique ideas to kick-off my summer decorating, and I'd like to share it with you as well. Newspaper wallpaper, a hot pink sofa, animal portraits...well, this got me thinking about my very own Standard Poodle Bridget, who by the way will turn 14 years old this very July. Oh, how I'd love to create a room in her honor and to showcase her gentle spirit, while highlighting her great style, yet emphasizing how much love she has brought to our family over these years.
The ARF thrift shop is a secret shopping spot of mine, and last year I picked up a "before" chair for my IFDA Take A Seat chair contribution. It was a sturdy chair from the Indonesian Baker furniture collection that I found for a mere $20. and then refinished it for the IFDA annual charity event and auction. The shop also carries an eclectic collection of art and accessories, and it's a great source for shopping in the Hamptons for a relative bargain. I love it that all the items in the rooms at this unique show house are for sale, which makes the event that more enjoyable. We can pick up some bargains knowing the proceeds go to help animals in need.
Congratulations on a job well done to these fabulous designers, and to ARF for keeping our love for animals neatly in tact. Come take a look at some of the candids I shot, and some with the designers and their very own pooches.
Happy Nesting
XO Tamara
the pooch wallpaper added a sense of whimsy to this cozy yet regal space.
I caught designer Zoe Hoare with her dog Pepper from English Country Antiques, and they graciously agreed to sit for a photo. The newspaper wallpaper, coupled with the orange wainscoting and the pet portraits, added a great sense of whimsy and detail to the room.
A quick snapshof Rod Winterrowd and his dog Clive. Sophistication reigns in this gorgeous sitting room where there were rich details in every corner, yet the space was well edited and nicely stylized.
Byron C. James
pays a special tribute to two of his adorable doggies
while reminiscing about the 1950s
movie All About Eve starring Bette Davis.
I enjoyed hearing from Byron the inspirations he tapped into in order to create this stylish pink lair.
John Bjornen's nautical wonder-filled room with blue, white and seashell designs hones into my own personal design style down to every last little seashell and blue hydrangea.
love the mid-century chairs with the blue striped fabric
This year's designers include:
John Bjornen
Suzanne Caldwell
Maria Greenlaw
Byron C. James
Zoe Hoare
Chris Meade
Scott Sanders
Rod Winterrowd
More about the event:
This is the 4th annual event for ARF, which stands for, The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons. This year's event was Chaired by Gordon Hoppe, Gigi Mahon and Sandra McConnell along with Vice Chairs Peter Hallock and Lisa McCarthy. This year's Honorary Chair is Fern Mallis. All proceeds benefit ARF and the organization's dedication work to find loving homes for animals in need.
