Event benefits Red Cross
By Sarah Stover
SINGER ISLAND - Visitors can get ideas for their home's décor and help a charity all in one afternoon in one place.
The Greater Palm Beach chapter of the American Red Cross is hosting its 32nd annual designer show house at the newly constructed 2700 North Ocean on Singer Island from Jan.17 toFeb. 16.
"It's the first time we've done a condo in the history of the (event)," said Desmond Keogh, who has served as chairman for the show house for three years, in addition to serving as the special events chairman for the non-profit organization.
Every year the American Red Cross brings together new, young designers and design experts to work with a residence as a fundraiser for the non-profit.
"I fought a lot of pessimism about doing a condo, but I thought why not, because it's such a huge area," he said.
The tower suite, which serves as the show house, measures 9, 180 square feet and includes four bedrooms, six and a half bathrooms, a separate catering kitchen, laundry room, library and private elevator entry to the unit.
The size of the space allowed 16 designers to be involved in the event. The designers chose a few rooms they were interested in working on and the event committee then made selections, said Jennifer Garrigues, who has offices in Palm Beach and New York.
She has participated in the Red Cross Show house for 20 years.
"It's always nice to give back to society. It's fun working with the other designers, too. It's like putting the acts of a play together," said Ms. Garrigues.
She designed the unit's library, which has an ocean view. She created a woman's library that is eye-catching, with deep purples and various hues of browns, and green.
"I picked out the colors from a fashion palette after looking through the current editions of "Vogue," "Elle" and other magazines," said Ms. Garrigues.
"It's calming, but full of color."
A 1930s Chinese art-deco rug bursting with fall colors lines the floor, and the room has a hint of Asian flare and a Moroccan lamp that keeps the lighting serene. One special touch is the "Literary Horse," a painting specifically made for the event by one of Ms. Garrigue's dear friends, she said.
Just down the hall from the library is the master bedroom, which was designed by Kristi Lei Bryan of Kristi Lei Interiors located in Juno Beach.
She does a lot of work on Singer Island, and specializes in renovations and new construction projects for high-rise condominiums, she said.
The theme of this year's event is Palm Beach style, and she got her inspiration from the event's honorary chairwoman, Palm Beach resident Lilly Pulitzer.
"Palm Beach style is a mix of sophistication, very classy, yet simple, but at the same time, when you walk into the room, you know what it's about," said Christina D'Eugenio, Ms. Lei's senior design assistant.
Mrs. Pulitzer is known for her lively clothes, including pinks and greens that became a must have for affluent residents after she donned the original outfit when working at her juice stand on Via Mizner in Palm Beach in the 1960s.
The shades and headboard in the master bedroom are a Lilly Pulitzer pattern in navy blue and white. An enlarged photo of the designer hangs on a wall in the room, also outfitted with a vanity table and plasma TV. Ms. Lei was also responsible for designing the foyer leading into the bedroom and the walk-in closet. The foyer follows suit, with navy blue and white details for a polished look and the closet holds vintage and current Lilly outfits.
After viewing the citrus-like colors, if viewers have an appetite, they should check out the dining room, which was designed by Stephen Mooney of Richard Plumer Design in West Palm Beach.
Mr. Mooney has been chairman of the Red Cross show house in the past, and has been involved with the event since the 1980s, he said.
With his expertise, it only took a week for him to put the room together.
"We took it from the point of it's Palm Beach style, and when you think Palm Beach style, you think parties, and when you think parties, you think food, so we did a ladies' luncheon set-up," said Mr. Mooney.
And if anyone wants to check their make-up, they can do so in the master bathrooms designed by Melissa Ziober and Scotty Rawley of RZ Design Group in West Palm Beach.
"We did sort of a 'green' room. The paint is eco-friendly, the chandelier is made out of recycled glass, and we added some touches with items from Publix Greenwise," said Ms. Rawley, who added that several clients request eco-friendly touches. Publix Greenwise is located in Legacy Place in Palm Beach Gardens.
After guests view the rooms, they can visit the five boutiques, which are also part of the event. On Saturday, there will be a lecture given by a design expert. Topics range from antiques to weddings to parties and designing dilemmas.
Mr. Keogh expects more than 10,000 to attend the show house, which is the second largest fundraiser for the American Red Cross, he said.
"A lot of people don't understand that the Red Cross is more than hurricane relief. It's amazing the amount of efforts they're involved in," said Mr. Keogh.
The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, whose volunteers provide relief to disaster victims, as well as train people for emergency situations.
All the money raised at the event will go to the greater Palm Beach chapter, said Mr. Keogh.
For more information, call (561) 833-7711 or visit www.redcrossshowhouse.org.