The Design District is sorta intimidating to the average Josephina. Yeah, there’s the Moth and the Oak Dallas, but some of the streets are confusing to navigate for a first-timer and there’s the fear of rejection for a novice not being accompanied by a professional decorator.
But until Saturday, November 30, a Brigadoon-like shop will be open to one and all and chock full of all types of furnishings (pillows, couches, armoires, beds, desks, leather chairs) and styles (vintage, contemporary, charming, edgy, new and gently experienced) that are being replaced around the clock.
Whoa! What is this? No. MySweetCharity has not gone a la D Home. But the Thrift Studio, which is benefiting Dwell With Dignity, opened Thursday with a sneak preview party complete with dogs as favors. No, don’t worry. The pooches were not real, live, but rather the “statuesque” type that requires no shots, no feeding and no walking.
Ah, the findings inside were simply remarkable. In addition to the fabulous and diverse room stagings by Cynthia Collins, Breckinridge Taylor, John Pfifer Marrs, Laura Lee Clark, Lisa Luby Ryan, Stella Dallas and Peacock Alley, there was a whole backroom stocked with such things as a camel-back couch ($295), a writing desk secretary ($425), and a French antique armoire bar ($2750).
With all these bargains, the question arose — “What if all these things sell over the weekend?” To this Dwell With Dignity Founder Lisa Robison answered that there were warehouses of furnishings ready to be moved in.
It’s a win-win-win situation. Area designers and furnishing experts have donated furniture to be sold. Some of it is absolutely brand new with an ever-s0-slight blemish. Others are items that just no longer fit the needs of the owner.
The proceeds of these sales go to Dwell With Dignity, which in turn uses the funds “to help families escape poverty and homelessness through design. One household at a time.”
Lisa started DWD after working in the design world for years. She realized, “If we can change a person’s surroundings, we can change their outlook on life. Exposing children (especially) to a nurturing home environment, that includes good design and art, can inspire a standard of living that will carry over to future generations. Exposing parents to this same environment will allow them to see the positive impact it has on their family; inspiring them to maintain a standard of living they can be proud of and thrive in.”
Her drive was so strong that her husband gave her the “nest egg” to start the DWD foundation in April 2009. Pretty soon a former El Centro classmate, Kim Turner, learned of Lisa’s mission and got involved.
Makes perfect sense. Just as the area chefs use their talents to help feed those in need, so the design community has pooled its resources to help provide an environment that is comforting and beneficial.
Now, three years later the Thrift Studio’s goal is to raise $120,000 before it disappears.
BTW, you do not need any special paperwork or escort to look and shop. It’s totally open to one and all Tuesday thru Saturday (10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) and Sunday (noon to 5:30 p.m.). Don’t be surprised if you find yourself stopping by daily. It’s not addictive; it’s ever-changing.