W. PALM BEACH, Fla. (January 25, 2010) — Nearly 300 highly acclaimed interior and landscape designers, philanthropists and community and social leaders attended the private Preview Party for the 2010 Red Cross Designers' Show House on January 20 at CityPlace South Tower. Opening night was the first opportunity for design aficionados to preview nearly 20 inspired interior and exterior spaces in the luxury residential tower, artfully transformed by the 15 participating designers of this year's Show House that runs through
Feb. 20.
After touring the inspired rooms in four models on the middle penthouse level, guests were welcomed to the ninth-floor pool deck for canapés prepared by two-time James Beard Foundation Award nominee Chef Zach Bell and music by DJ Nick Flash. Guests enjoyed signature cocktails courtesy of Blue Martini and Bacardi USA, Inc., which showcased its GREY GOOSE La Poire vodka paired with fresh fruit juices. Preview Party chairman Aime Dunstan added some sultry sizzle to the poolside event with a live fashion presentation featuring Spring 2010 swimwear by tibi and Palm Beach's own Jordann Jewelry, as well as a trunk show from which 15 percent of Jordann Jewelry sales was donated to the Red Cross. Sponsors included Lamborghini Palm Beach and Miami-based Bacardi USA, Inc., which has supported the preview event for the past five years.
"The preview event is always high energy and sets a glamorous stage for the rest of the four-week duration of the Show House," said Bill Kopp, general chairman of the 2010 Red Cross Designers' Show House. "The caliber of this year�s designers, coupled with the high-profile location, positions the 2010 Show House to break all previous attendance records."
Notable guests included Honorary Chairman Michael Smith, who recently added the First Family to his long list of celebrity clients; Mario Nievera; Cristina and Desmond Keogh; Palm Beach County Commissioner Jeff Koons; Mark Foley; Dr. Layne Nisenbaum; Steven Stolman; Ann Beha; Wally and Betsy Turner; Annie Falk; Ross Meltzer; Terri Mersentes; Chad Renfro; Chip and M.A. Quinn; Brandie and Todd Herbst; Nancy and Jeff Smith; Tom and Carol Kirchhoff; and Melanie and Chris Hill.
Students of The Dreyfoos School of the Arts played music upstairs, while Show House designers welcomed guests into their own spaces and had fun describing their design approach. These included Bill Kopp, Design Chairman Stephen Mooney, Boutique Chairman Frank J. Maguire, Jennifer Garrigues, Joseph Pubillones, Lon Morris, Joseph Cortes and Kevin Marnell of HomeLife Interiors, Virginia Courtenay, Christopher Dunstan, Scotty Rawley and Melissa Ziober of RZ Design Group, Keith Williams, Veronica Volani Inza, Rachel Sawyer Clements, Michael Powers, and Mimi Masri.
Now in its 34th season, the 2010 Red Cross Designers' Show House features more than 15 interior and exterior spaces on the middle penthouse level of CityPlace South Tower, the 20-story luxury residential tower on Okeechobee Boulevard in Downtown West Palm Beach. The Show House is open to the public through February 20 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon-4 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $30 per person. For more information, please contact Maura Nelson at 561.650.9131, nelsonm@redcross-pbc.org or visit www.redcrossshowhouse.org.
All proceeds from the design event will benefit the array of programs and services offered by the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, including providing relief to victims of disasters and helping residents prevent and prepare for emergencies. For more than 90 years, the chapter has been serving residents in Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties.
About the American Red Cross
For more than 90 years, the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, taught life-saving skills, and supported military members and their families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian mission. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711 or visit
www.redcross-pbc.org.
