Holiday Showcase At Animal Rescue Fund
For the fourth consecutive year, the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons is turning its thrift shop in Sagaponack into a designer showhouse for the Memorial Day weekend. Six rooms will be styled by well-known interior designers from New York City and the East End for the event, which will launch with a preview cocktail party Saturday at 5 p.m. The shop will be open on Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
This year’s designers are John Bjornen of Bjornen Design in Sag Harbor, Suzanne Caldwell and Maria Greenlaw of Design House in Southampton, Byron C. James of House of Oasis in New York, Scott Sanders from New York, Chris Mead and Zoe Hoare of English Country Antiques in Bridgehampton, and Rob Winterrowd from New York.
A recent visit to the thrift shop provided a few hints of what visitors can expect this weekend. Ms. Caldwell and Ms. Greenlaw were busy assembling a wood-and-canvas cot for what they envision as a sleeping porch. “We see it as a good place to relax, to come back from the beach and be able to throw your stuff down, take a nap, play cards, or have tea,” said Ms. Greenlaw. With the exception of the cot, everything in the room, including lanterns, an elaborate birdcage, wicker baskets painted by the designers, and straw hats, is from the ARF thrift shop.
Ms. Hoare was outfitting another room, which she and Mr. Mead refer to as “English country style with a twist.” Pepper, Ms. Hoare’s Staffordshire bull terrier, was on hand, greeting visitors but ignoring a life-sized Great Dane, a stuffed animal Ms. Hoare made clear was not part of the décor.
“I’m using some bark lamps, lots of earthy colors, because it’s my style,” she said. Two prints, images of dogs, came from Ian Mason, an English artist, via a supplier of English Country Antiques. In fact, everything in the room comes from the Bridgehampton store except for two wooden chairs. “They’re from ARF. I just ell in love with them. I like to mix rustic and quite clean lines, with a touch of eccentricity thrown in.”
John Bjornen’s room is the “captain’s cabin. I imagine a captain who is old and craggy and who has settled back in with all the pieces he has collected in his travels around the world. Some will be nautical, but some won’t.” Everything in the room is from ARF’s shop, including a gateleg table, two nautical-themed prints, and a couple of midcentury chairs. “I was inspired by the pieces that were already here,” he said. “The cabin can be a fun place. I’m sure the captain has got many stories to tell.”
Byron C. James will dedicate his room to Christmas Eve Harrington, his Jack Russell terrier. The “All About Eve” room is inspired by the birthday party Margo Channing threw for her boyfriend in the film. Scott Sanders’s “Blue, White, and Bailey” will have a cool, beachy feel that is certain to have his dog Bailey’s tail wagging in anticipation of summer. Rod Winterrowd’s room, “The Hound Cave,” will be a summer hangout “where anything goes any night of the week in the Hamptons.” Dogs and cats will be welcomed.
All the designers are animal lovers who are donating their time and expertise to help the ARF dogs and cats. Whether from the thrift shop or from the designers’ own collections, every item in the showhouse will be for sale.
“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.
For those who want first dibs, tickets for the preview hour, from 5 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, are $250. After 6, admission to the cocktail party is $150. A selection of ARF cats and dogs available for adoption will be among the guests at the Saturday party. The suggested donation for people visiting Sunday and Monday is $10; children will be admitted free.
The shop is at 17 Montauk Highway in Sagaponack, at the corner of Poxabogue Lane.