Housing Works has announced the schedule of events for its 12th Annual Design on a Dime Benefit, to be held April 21 to 23 at the Metropolitan Pavilion. The benefit and sale will profile 60-plus designers’ vignettes, each adorned with new product donated by over 200 top home decor and designer brands and available to guests at 50 to 70 percent off retail pricing. Event co-chairs Nicole Gibbons and Alessandra Branca chatted with EAL about what’s new at this year’s event.

What makes this year’s event special?
Nicole Gibbons: Last year was a record-breaking year for Design on a Dime, and Housing Works also took Design on a Dime to Miami in early February of this year, which expanded it outside of NYC for the first time ever. So with all this momentum and buzz, I think this will be the biggest year yet!
Alessandra Branca: The wonderful group of co-chairs: everyone from a great actress to dynamic television personalities. Each person is a design aficionado, and we are committed to making this the best DOAD yet!

Whose vignette are you most excited to see?
N.G.: I’m a huge fan of my co-chair Alessandra Branca’s work, and some of my friends, such as Ron Marvin and Yetta Banks, are participating this year, so I’m excited to see what they all do! It’s incredible to see what all of the designers can do with such small spaces. I’m always inspired by the endless creativity of my peers, and can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with!
A.B.: One of the most exciting aspects of Design on a Dime is the incredible creativity each designer brings. I’m always eager to see Ford’s [James Huniford’s] vignette, as he always does such a superb job. I run to his booth right when it opens!

What are your responsibilities as chair?
N.G.: This is my first year as a co-chair, and I am absolutely thrilled about my new role. As a co-chair, I really want to knock it out of the park with my vignette, and my goal is to raise as much as possible for this amazing organization. I work very closely with Lowe’s Home Improvement as the brand’s Style Ambassador, and have brought Loewe’s on board as a large corporate sponsor this year. I will be teaming up with Loewe’s to design a vignette that showcases stylish New York City living. It’s important that people understand not just how “not to be missed” this event is, but how important it is. Raising awareness for Housing Works and the work they do is a huge responsibility. Proceeds will go to help fund Housing Works’ newest housing facility, The Hull Street Residence.
A.B.: I’m there to spread the word about this amazing event and a terrific cause.