Hi Everyone,
Well the time has come! The Gala Event at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island in New Hyde Park was an event I will not soon forget. I attended the Bloggers luncheon yesterday afternoon with the lovely Meg Braff of Meg Braff Designs and got a sneak peek of all of the amazing rooms. The designers were so inspired by this cause and it is easy to see they did their best, I took so many pictures that we could be here forever. Before we get to the photos, I would like to take a step back and recap. This project began in March with the initial design lunch, each designer was assigned a room or space and given a tour of the house. We then began developing our designs and submitted them to the design committee. Once our designs were approved the real work began, finding donors and making purchases that will complete our objective. Along the way were a few cocktail parties to ease our minds that everything was going smoothly. Always fun!
This project took each designer by the heart and created something that none of us will soon forget. The team at the New Hyde Park RMH are the most dedicated, hard working people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting and I am honored to now be able to call them my friends. Jennifer Nicholson who tirelessly answered my every email, Matthew Campo who worked day and night to keep the jobs running, not to mention Beth Green and Anthony Baratta working to the end. I must not forget to mention Karen Lehrman, who's ear I bent on more than a few occasions. Thank You all for everything that you do. It was a pleasure start to finish!
Below are some pictures from each of the rooms I visited, please forgive me if your rooms are missing. It was a truly overwhelming experience, the house was packed the evening of the Gala so I was unable to complete my shots, most of the shots are from the bloggers lunch so I was able to get them uninterrupted. Enjoy!
This beautiful kitchen area was designed by Margreet Cevasco Designs from Sea Cliff, and Vasi Ypsilantis of Manhasset.
This room belongs to the amazing Jamie Drake! His room has luxurious bedding, beautiful coloration - as we would expect a smart design and an overall feeling of welcoming.
These are some of Danielle Colding's beautiful Bathrooms, Laundry Rooms and her exquisite Telephone Room. She went above and beyond on this project as did so many of the designer. But Danielle was really put to the test being that she has some 7 designs and installations to contend with. Bravo, Danielle - Job Well Done!!
This is Michael Tavano, Michael was my hall-mate, tough act to follow with this inspired design. Fun to admire and such a wonderfully friendly person.
This is our lovely Kate Singer's room, she truly encapsulated the scope of the job at hand. A beautiful room to be enjoyed by all that come here.
Here is Drew McGurkin standing next to his interactive NYC subway map and the entire wall acts as a pin board for cards and momentos. So inventive!
Suzanne Costa has designed a warm, natural place to spend your days - totally Suzanne and a lovely person as well.
This is Jon Call, he truthfully met all of the needs of anyone staying in this space. Photo came a bit dark but there is a wonderful sofa on the right with a saarinen table and chairs on the left.
I love this room, beautifully done by Michael Herold Design. Every element was well thought out and luxurious. One of my favorites!
Here is our room, Meg and I wanted to create a peaceful environment that welcomes you. I love the color, it gives off a calm feeling and inspires you to take off your shoes and relax.
Eric Cohler Design brought a little bit of Morocco to Long Island - Bravo!!
Kerry Delrose of Delrose Design Group is working with my favorite color palette. Headboards are fabulous! They remind me of Meg Braff's Flambe wallpaper.
Mathew Patrick Smyth knocked it out of the park with this Mets room. (well someone has to! lol!) This room is so inspiring for this Met fan that I am almost able to forget my years of dissapointment. All joking aside, Matthew did an amazing job with this room - so much so that some Yankee fans just might be jealous.
Anthony Baratta took on the Great Room, and it is amazing. Bright and Cheery - just he way you want everyone to feel upon entering this house. He has been involved in this project for over 30 years on the highest level and totally put his heart into it.
Bunny Williams decorated the play room and did an amazing job, dedicating this dress up closet to a former patient. The room is friendly and the perfect place for the children to remember they are indeed children.
The Library was taken on by Kim Radovich, and she put together a warm, tranquil space that invites you to take a seat, relax and read. Kim addressed all of the needs of the house and created a beautiful space, love the wing chair and desks with back-lit onxy desk tops. Gives great texture and visual effect to the room.
This is the RMH signature wall, take a peak and find some warm wishes from your favorite designers!
The Lovely Danielle Colding of Danielle Colding Designs.
This is where I died and went to Heaven! To be flanked by Jamie Drake and Jon Call was without a doubt the highlight of my evening. Lucky Me!!! :-)
I would like to conclude this post by giving a special thanks to my employer and mentor, Meg Braff. Without her I would never have had the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing project, it left me a different and far better person as I am sure it has to everyone involved. I attended the lunch on her behalf and quickly asked to be assigned the lead on this. She did not hesitate, seeing how moved I was, and away we went. We worked together to establish the aesthetic of the room and never looked back. It was my pleasure and I truly thank her.
