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Real Simple: Design on a Dime

I was invited to the Real Simple Design on a Dime event held in New York last night but couldn't make it. Now I wish I had. Thom was there! Thom! My hero.

James Huniford, Designer, Sills Huniford; Kristin van Ogtrop, Managing Editor, Real Simple;
Charles King; Founder; Maggie Gyllenhaal, actress; Thom Filica, designer, Thom Filicia.

This is going to sound totally braggy, but just over the past few month's I could have mingled with Orla Kiely, attended a taping of the Martha Stewart show, met Amy Butler, Nathalie L?t?, and the crew over at Domino magazine just to name a few. But I feel shy about showing up at these events alone. And last night I could have swapped stories with THE Thom Felicia over at Design on a Dime. Had I known he would be in attendance -- I most certainly would have been there. Serves me right for not reading the invitation a little more carefully!

Real Simple, along with co-chairs Maggie Gyllenhaal, designer James Huniford and Real Simple's managing editor Kristin van Ogtrop hosted Design on a Dime to benefit Housing Works. They are the nation's largest community-based AIDS-service organization. During the event, thirty designers ? including Thom Filicia, Sills Huniford, Jamie Drake, and Charlotte Moss created room vignettes that people were able to purchase from at 60-80% off the retail price. All proceeds benefited Housing Works. Here are some of the rooms. What do you think? There's a lot of artistic expression here. Click on each image to enlarge.

Designed by: Thom Filicia
Soft, casual, symmetrical. Maybe a little too beige? But I would gladly take tea in this room. But IKEA wouldn't approve.

Designed by: Ernest De La Torre
A little too much patriotism for me here.

Designed by: NathanEgan Interiors.
I'm not sure I know how to feel about this room.

Designed by: Sills Huniford.
What's on those fish lamp shades anyway?

Designed by: Jamie Drake
Hmm. Gold hands, green and lilac?

What do you think of some of these rooms? Do you have a favorite? I like Thom's best. I think it must be hard when you're a designer with work constantly in the public eye, must be a lot of pressure to perform, be innovative, and still stick to your own vision.

(Images by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)