While most nonprofits have either canceled or gone virtual with the rest of their 2020 fundraising events, Dwell With Dignity soldiered on and went forward with its month-long Thrift Studio. Today was the first of two days of preview parties at the International on Turtle Creek Designer Center.
But it was unlike any preview party of the past for the organization when the event was elbow-to-elbow with guests. Due to COVID-10, Dwell With Dignity Founder Lisa Robison’s precautions were astounding. Guests had to sign up ahead of time for their hour-long visit. On the walk leading to the showroom were white tapes six feet apart for the lineup of check-ins. Before entering, guests had to don masks and gloves. If they didn’t have gloves, they were provided disposable gloves just outside the entry.
Ironically, COVID-19 provided a better opportunity for the limited number of folks to check out the vignettes created by local designers (Lindley Arthur, Leslie Jenkins, Joshua Pickering, Monica Wilcox, Morgan Freeman, Cathy Kincaid, Twelve Twenty’s Carolyn Isler and the Madre gals Mia Brous, Kerri Goldfarb and Louise Marsh) and art by such talents as Co-Chairs Anna Curnes, Melissa Ellis, Annie Griffeth and Christi Meril and others.
Honorary Chair Shay Geyer found it a bit challenging to resist hugging friends… Ebby Halliday’s Randall Graham and Cody Baker were checking out the furniture. Randall reported despite other industries suffering, the North Texas residential real estate world was hotter than ever. One reason was after being home-bound for months, people were wanting to get some new digs with more perks. Another area that was going, going, gone was lake home properties… Dwell With Dignity Executive Director Ashley Agnew Sharp admitted that her January wedding made it just before COVID-19 hit … Fashion statement of the day: masks. Some had designer versions that went with their outfits; some had the ever-popular leopard spots; others stayed with true-to-blue disposable masks.
Within the first two hours, there were green “sold” tags already on headboards, dining-room tables and all types of furnishings. Luckily, the sold items will be replenished throughout the sale that concludes Saturday, September 26. You just might want to schedule several visits during the run.
If you’re suffering a severe case of cabin fever but worried about the dangers of venturing out, a shopping adventure at Thrift Studio might be your answer. Not only are there still tickets available for Thursday’s Preview Party Part II, but starting Friday the pop-up shop opens to the public and, besides being free, COVID-19 restrictions will permit only 35 shoppers at a time to check out the ever-changing goodies, and masks and gloves will be mandatory.
Hint: In addition to the designer-staged vignettes, there are loads of individual items like easy chairs, chests, pillows, light fixtures, decorative accessories and other goodies found throughout. And while there, don’t forget to register for the Avondale Dealerships’ Maserati Kiddie Car raffle!
Funds raised through the sale of merchandise and the raffle will provide one-third of Dwell With Dignity’s operating revenue to “change lives through design by bringing good design to those who can afford it the least.”
For a sneak peak of the people and furnishings, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.