Lenox Hill Spring Gala 2011!

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, widely recognized as one of New York’s premier nonprofit organizations, hosted their spring gala last night at Cipriani on 42nd Street. It was a glorious night with cocktails, dinner, dancing and a silent auction - all for a wonderful cause.

Lenox Hill is a 117-year-old settlement house that provides an extensive array of effective and integrated human services—social, educational, legal, health, housing, mental health, nutritional and fitness—which significantly improve the lives of 20,000 people in need each year, ages 3 to 103, on the East Side of Manhattan.

The gala celebrated longtime Lenox Hill board member and honorary chair, Elizabeth Rohatyn for her lifetime of activism in New York.

I was excited to be among the designers selected to create a tabletop inspired by the event's theme, "You're the Top!"... a quote from one of Cole Porter's memorable songs. In the midst of horse racing season I decided to call my table "You're the Top...The Time of the Triple Crown Winner!", because you can't get any better in horse racing than the Triple Crown! 

I borrowed the beautiful silver trophies from Newel Galleries, and the flowers represent the chosen flower for each horse race that make up a Triple Crown winner.  The Kentucky Derby "Run for the Roses", The Preakness for black eyed Susans, and the Belmont Stakes recieves a blanket of white carnations.

I used embroidered linen napkins with the jockey logos and trophies.  Borrowed the silver chargers from my grandmother to work well with the silver mint julip cups filled with mint.  Each seat held a journal and small batting crop to take home.

The black and white striped ticking skirt is from Classic Party Rentals.  Then, I hand basted a 3"wide gros-grain ribbon along the bottom edge for contrast.  The jockey jackets are made of canvas.  You can buy it by the roll and cut and paint as you wish!

The fun table below was designed by Lindsay Coral Harper of LCH Interiors and Lamshop.  "Harper's Bazaar" with tons of color and fun leis on each chair...one of my favorites!

Ashley Whittaker created this beautiful table called "Fern's Folly" with upholstered Jansen style chairs in Quadrille fabric.  Love the little frog placecard holders!

A Japanese inspired table by the fabulous P. Allen Smith. You can watch his gardening show on PBS or check your local listing.

Lucca & Co. stuck with their classic elegant style of decorating with simple pewter Match chargers, metal table and white slipcovers.  Very similar to the style of his showroom on 61st Street.

Christopher Spitzmiller created this fun Indian inspired table with turbans for all the guest to wear home.

(Photo courtesy of Dovecote Decor)

Cheers to a fun and successful event! Lenox Hill raised funds in eccess of $950,000 at this one event.

For more information on Lenox Hill Neighborhood House and how you can donate to the cause click here.

To see NY Times photos click here.

To see other related articles click here.

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House

331 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021
212 744-5022