Design in Depth: Red, White and Beautiful

June 1, 2011

By Stacy Kunstel

Last month kicked off a whirlwind of parties, heralding the summer season. One of the first important events following the spring blooms is the Red and White Ball of Greenwich, Connecticut, benefiting the Greenwich Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Besides supporting a wonderful cause, people turned out in cocktail attire to admire tablescapes put together by retailers, designers and florists. Here are a few of our favorites.

Event co-chair Beth Dempsey (owner of the public relations firm Images and Details; shown here with Lauren Michelle and me) created a summer picnic scene around the red-and-white theme.

Beth Dempsey, Lauren Michelle and Stacy Kunstel

The most surprising thing about the spray of spring blooms over the Diane James table is that the branches are in fact part of their couture collection of silk creations–even the ones on the hat are faux, but pretty enough to fool the bees!

Ridgefield-based interior designer Carey Karlan (her firm is called Last Detail) chose a red tablecloth stitched with roses and branches that held fluttering butterflies at their tips.

Carey Karlan and Stacy Kunstel

Honorary Chair Barclay Butera dressed a table in an ikat and Moroccan theme. I had a chance to visit with him and last year’s chair, Rachel McAree.

Stacy Kunstel, Barclay Butera and Rachel McAree

Everyone loved the whimsy of birdhouses in interior designer Amy Aidinis Hirsch‘s table.

Red Japanese lanterns bobbed above guests heads at interior designer Olga Adler‘s tables. She’s pictured here with Bethany Armstrong. I have to say, I loved the red lacquered chairs!