Local floral designers and artists demonstrated their individual styles with gorgeous tablescapes at the Hope for Families Center Spring Luncheon & Designer Showcase last Tuesday afternoon at the Oak Harbor Club House. The event featured special guest Chris Madden, who has enjoyed an extensive design career as a TV host and author. Madden moved to Vero Beach four years ago from Rye, N.Y., with husband Kevin.
Champagne in hand, guests wandered the lobby of the club where artistically-laid tables highlighted the unique creativity of our local talent. Each participant had contributed a raffle item, and most of the items in their various settings were also for sale. The luncheon was a simpler version of a 2014 fundraiser, Dress for Dinner, which likewise gave stylists free rein to “dress” their tables.
“I’ve sold half of this already,” said artist Barbara Sharp, referencing the lovely décor gracing the table of her Seaside Splendor display. “It’s nice that they’re coming in before the luncheon to see the tables and the diversity of these peoples’ talents. They’re all so different.”
Other displays included Deborah Murphy’s Irish Bridal Brunch display highlighting crystal and china from the Emerald Isles; Fe Domenech of The Event Firm Int’l. and Florals by Fe, whose lush Tropical Bliss contained enormous sprays of palms and bougainvillea; and Ishkabibbles Designs by Kristin Meek featured the simple elegance of orchids and beachside jewelry with Tidal Wave.
Jacqueline Hickey of New Leaf Design Solutions created two tables – Subaquatic, with a striking kinetic centerpiece by artist Ed Uttridge; and Art Deco Revival, a sophisticated silvery setting. Dinner with Your Main “Squeeze” by Monti’s Flower Market showcased local citrus. Against the backdrop of a Highwaymen painting, Angela Speck Designs’ Highwaymen also presented handcrafted dinnerware and an unusual tree stump centerpiece made of concrete by Crystal Ploszay of Your Personal Artist. And spectacular roses took center stage at A Natural Garden, by Jen Killen of Vero Beach Florist.
Additionally, HFC volunteer Tam Saxby displayed some of the many vintage accessories and jewelry available at the HFC Second Chance Thrift Store.
“The biggest inspiration for reviving the theme was having celebrity designer Chris Madden as our guest speaker. She’s done a lot of incredible things,” said event chair Debbie Altman, who moved to Vero Beach from Kansas just last fall and quickly got involved with the community.
Before Madden’s presentation, several board and staff members spoke about the Hope for Families Center, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary. All stressed the need for funding to support the various programs which are providing hope for the future to an ever growing number of families in need.
Madden, whose mantra is “Turning Home into Haven,” spoke about the importance of creating personal spaces, noting that it is especially valuable for women – whom she called natural born nurturers – to take time out for themselves to recharge their batteries.
Showing slides of photographs from her book A Room of Her Own: Women’s Personal Spaces, Madden shared stories about the special sanctuaries of famous and accomplished women throughout the country. “You never know where you’re going to find your personal space,” said Madden, displaying retreats that ranged anywhere from luxurious to simple; even a Sherpa tent. She also shared some “essentials” – ideas to help others carve out an all-important little room of their own.