Our first Take a Seat Chairs for Charity Auction to benefit Habitat for Humanity Veteran Build South Palm Beach was a huge success. While the Gala Live Auction was the grand finale, our Kickoff Party at Rosenbaum Fine Art and Decor was also a fabulous showcase for these artfully created chairs. They were displayed in their gallery as true works of art. Take a look.
“Surfer’s Paradise QLD” by member Jeane Coppers was inspired by her love of the ocean. The original chair was purchased from a Habitat for Humanity Restore! It even lights up!
“The Affirmation Chair” by member Elizabeth Zecca inspired us …”Don’t count the days, make the days count” !
“Home Sweet Home” is a collaboration between members Susan Heller and Tom Daugherty. This patriotic swing would be perfect on anyone’s porch or patio.
President Caroline Rogow stands beside a chair created by her husband, Jeff. “Whine Not – Weeny Whiner” is made from wine corks! How fun is that?
“Anastasia Chair” by faux artist Jeanne Hall of TLC Design Studio looks like royalty might actually “take a seat” here.
This show stopper, “Lady Payton’s Sunken Treasure” by artist/ designer Stephanie Ferguson of SF Designs delighted everyone. The attention to detail and creative placement of shells, crystals and fan coral was incredible and equally as beautiful from the back, a work of art!
- “You Can Sit With Me” by artist sculptor Jeff Whyman drew much attention.
“Welcome Home” by artist Gabriel Chocron is dedicated to honoring our military heroes and always remembering to welcome them home. The chair is upholstered in a painting he created 20 years ago after serving in the Israeli army. Above is the artist and his wife.
“The Bone Appetit Seat” by artist Talin Lyman of Talin Tropic Studio is a high chair designed for dogs! There are stairs up the back, an opening for the dog to enter the seat and holes for food and water dishes. Talin is standing to the left and another chair designer Andrea Maxim is on the right.
“The Very Vane Vanity” by member Vicki Kirsner is fashioned out of a vintage mink cape and a vanity chiar that Vicki found at a garage sale and artfully refinished and restored. Vicki on the right is shown with two artists from TLC Design Studio that offers workshops on Chalk Paint which Vicki used on her chair.
No, this is not the aritst but we suspect it is the model for the “Elisa Francesca Chair” by
Miami artist Andres Conde and interior designer Aleksander Alembert.
This portrait appears to be the artist’s beautiful wife, Stacy. The gold leaf detail combined with the exquisite art is breathtaking.
You can see why everyone had to get a closer look. This admirer is a friend of the artist.
“Roberta” by Interior Designers Marsha Koch, a member, and Ellie Caimano was lovingly dedicated to Marsha’s most creative sister in law and Ellie’s late husband Interior Designer Jim Caimano. It is fabricated from old drapery panels and fashion accessories. The back is as striking as the front. Underneath the slipcover is an old office chair.
“Reef-Side Seat” by artist Christa Wilm is a rattan chair encrusted with seashells. Christa has been designing signature seashell fantasies for more than 20 years.
“Heroes Heartz = Freedom @ Home” by President Caroline Rogow is highlighted by this heart painted by the talented Salvatore Principe and was upholstered by Jeff Rogow Custom Upholstery.
Another chair whose back was even more fabulous than the front is “Fit for a Queen” by Elena O’Brien Johnson. The chair was donated by Vitor de Marinis and the elegant silk fabric was donated by Boca Bargoons. Upholstery by Enrico DiCembrino.
“P.S. I Love You” by chair designer Michelle Heller is a tribute to military heroes of a by-gone time. It is covered with postcards, stamps and photos sent from soldiers overseas to their loved ones back home.
Also covered in a different kind of nostalgia is “Tres Cher Chair” by artist Kris Smith. A renown portrait artist she has painted and scuplted the faces of the famous and not so famous. Her work has even been displayed in The White House and she herself has appeared on tv and in the press.
Enjoying the premier of the chairs is IFDA Florida President Caroline Rogow, our Auctioneer and member Michael Alexander and member and VP of Events Lynn Sciarrone.
Honoring our military heroes with a Bronze Star is this hand crafted barstool, “The Archer”, was created by artist Glen Mayo.
“Presenting Flora the Fish” was handpainted by artist Debbie Hite. As an artist Debbie paints both realism and whimsy, including portraits of people, pets and wildlife.
“Joy Chair” by Chair Designer Andrea Maxim underwent an extreme makeover. Taking remants of various fabrics Andrea brought it back to life.
The Last Sunset” by Chair Designers Ginger Kane and Rosemarie Oakley is inspired by a relaxing day by the beach. Both designers come from military families and were drawn to Take a Seat because it was close to their hearts.
“The Vintage Snake Chair” was donated by Astoria ICompass. It was one of the first chairs the company produced when it was founded in 1970. The handcarved detail and antique gold accents make this chair very special. Thanks also to Cowtan and Tout for supplying the fabric and Jeffery Rogow Upholstery.
IFDA Florida President Caroline Rogow and member Tom Daugherty celebrate the evening at Rosenbaum Fine Art and Decor.
Past Presidents of IFDA Florida Beverly Stewart and Michael Alexander pose for the camera.
Members of the Take a Seat Committee browse through the gallery admiring both the chairs and the art. Above are Elizabeth Zecca, Caroline Rogow, Lynn Sciarrone, Vicki Kirsner and guest Teresa Gottes.
A great big THANK YOU to all the chair designers for their talents and support. Each one had something very special to say. They were all amazing. It is just about impossible to pick a favorite. Which one do you like the best? Which is the most creative? The most patriotic? The most elegant? Which chair speaks to you?
For more information, “before and afters” of the chairs, bios of the Chair Designers and the stories behind their chairs please go to www.IFDAFlorida.com and click on the tab Take a Seat for a drop down menu showing the TAS Designers 2014 tab.
