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Health & Fitness

ARF TRANSFORMS THRIFT SHOP INTO STUNNING DESIGNER SHOWHOUSE

On Saturday, May 25th the Animal Rescue Fund of The Hamptons will kick-off Memorial Day weekend with an exciting preview cocktail party and sale at the ARF Thrift and Treasure Shop in Sagaponack. The Thrift Shop will be transformed into an incredible designer showhouse featuring six rooms styled by some of New York’s most illustrious interior decorators. The event is Chaired by Gigi Mahon and Sandra McConnell along with Vice Chairs Peter Hallock and Lisa McCarthy.  This year’s Honorary Chair is Grace Coddington.  All proceeds will benefit ARF and the organization’s dedicated work to find loving homes for animals in need. The shop is a priority of the organization’s long term strategic planning as almost 20% of ARF’s annual operating budget comes from funds raised by the Thrift Shop. In 2011, the Thrift Shop, a charming Dutch colonial building was renovated and expanded allowing ARF to accept more donations and continue to successfully fund the organization’s animal Adoption Center.   “Now in its third year, the ARF Designer Showhouse is a great kick-off to the summer season!  We salute the designers who have brought such creativity to their assignment, and look forward to seeing everyone.  Please bring your friends; it is a fun way to support the animals” said Sara Davison, Executive Director of ARF.   The lineup of top designers, who will create rooms for the third annual showhouse, includes: Elizabeth Dow, James Huniford, Ann Madonia and Susan Madonia, Annie M. Napoliello, Barbara Ostrom and Preston PhillipsAll the designers are animal lovers who are donating their time and expertize to help the ARF cats and dogs, who are less fortunate than their own beloved pets.  Each room will feature Thrift Shop items and pieces donated from the designers’ own collections.  Unlike traditional showhouses, every item in the ARF designer showhouse will be for sale.    Over 200 guests from the principals of the design world and the Hampton social community are expected to attend the preview cocktail party.  Guests will enjoy a festive vodka bar, wine donated by Channing Daughters Winery and hors d’oeuvres donated by the Dancing Gourmet as they mingle and shop among the themed rooms.  Elizabeth Dow, famous for her hand painted wall coverings and textiles will tantalize guests with “50 Shades of…Grey,” Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey would certainly think of some fun things to do in this room. Selected by Architectural Digest as one of the “Top 100 Designers,” James Huniford’s “Sagaponack Serenity” is sure to calm the crowd.  Ann and Susan Madonia will have you relaxing on the sun porch before pre-dinner cocktails in “A Quiet Summer Interlude.” “Party for Two” in the Persimmon Room will be created by Preston Phillips, distinguished architect who designed the first LEED Certified Townhouse in New York City as well as the critically acclaimed East Hampton Butterfly House. Annie M. Napoliello, owner of Brontosaurus Inc., loves mixing old world with new, high-end glam with tag sale chic, creating a whimsy, eclectic vignette with “Little Edie’s Boudoir,“ while Barbara Ostrom is setting a casual living room/dinning room.     “The idea that there are endless new opportunities for things which once seemed old is an important theme for this evening. The Thrift Shop is an amazing space and we’re hoping our designs help showcase how thrift store pieces can be used creatively in any home,” said event chair and interior designer Sandra McConnell.   The evening will also include --the true stars of the evening -- a selection of ARF dogs and cats that will be available for adoption and looking to find a loving new home. Doors open for the exclusive Preview Hour ($250) ticket holders at 5:00 PM. General Admission ($150) opens at 6:00 PM. Following the preview party, the Thrift Shop will suggest a donation of a $10.00 entry fee to the general public (children free) on Sunday, May 26th and Monday, May 27th. All purchased items will stay in place until Tuesday, May 28th at which point they will be available for pick up. 
For more info or tickets visit www.arfhamptons.org. Tickets will be sold at the door.

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