Shelby's Social Diary

Stars of design — and up-and-comers — are in the spotlight at Decorative Center awards

Commercial real estate mogul Charles S. Cohen made one of his regular visits to Houston from home base in Manhattan recently to host the Decorative Center Houston annual Spring Market. The day-into-evening fling was chock full of inspiring opportunities including book signings, lectures and new product presentations.

Interior Magazine's editorial director Michael Wollaeger kicked off the day with a panel discussion on interior design with headliners interior design guru Timothy Corrigan, interiors product designer Kyle Bunting and award-winnng interior designer Nina Magon.

Buzz of the day centered on the annual Stars of Design and Stars on the Rise awards program that saluted a number of local talents in several fields. Among those taking bows were Pamela Pierce and Ginger Barber for interior design, Dillon Kyle for architecture, Howard Sherman for art, Karen Sachar for photography, Lana Rigsby and Thomas Hull for graphic design, Gregory/Henry for landscape design and Elaine Turner for her handbag designs.

Early in the evening, activities turned more social as acclaimed West Coast photographer Nancy Ellisonand her husband Bill Rolnick hosted the opening reception for her photographic exhibit "Altered Egos." The exhibition features more than 100 intimate, empathetic photographs of leading Hollywood stars and will be on open to the public through August. The show will benefit M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Checking out the photography exhibition were Bill Stubbs, Ginger Barber, Valentina Ovalle, Mary Grace Gray, Scott Boyd, Dean Giuffre and Catherine Brooks Giuffre, Sheri O'Leary, Leo Jaimes, Patrick Bell, Kelli and Eddy Blanton, Jennifer Burgess Loh, Sharmeen Maresdia and Ginger Barber.

Bill Rolnick, from left, Nancy Ellison and Charles Cohen.

Photo by © Wilson Parish

Bill Rolnick, from left, Nancy Ellison and Charles Cohen.

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Two-Stepping Bash

Country tunes and Houston's charitable hearts rock for Dec my Room

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

A bustling crowd kicked open the doors of the House of Blues for the Eighth Annual "Kick Up Your Boots for Kids" bash, all in support of Dec My Room. The night was set ablaze by the toe-tapping tunes of country stars Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen, transforming the venue on October 24 into a jitterbug jamboree and creating an atmosphere brimming with joy.

Event chairs Laurel Bashaw and Dodi Willingham and founders Kendall Plank and Susan Plank were thrilled about how the extra funds will turbocharge their mission. Since 2007, Dec My Room has adorned nearly 18,000 hospital rooms across 178 institutions, delivering personalized coziness like a warm blanket to pediatric and young adult patients.

Emcee and auctioneer David Ackel kept the energy high as generous Houstonians vied for coveted treasures. Standouts included rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon bottles and a glimmering necklace from Lugano. A wine and whiskey dinner hosted by Federal Grill’s Matt Brice saw bids skyrocket, leaving winners over the moon. The grand finale was a private management hunt at Sycamore Springs Ranch in Kerrville, Texas.

With over 250 attendees two-stepping and $350,000 raised, the event proved to be a night where generosity danced hand in hand with a rockin’ good time. In the crowd were Laurie and Tracy Krohn, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Mike Plank, Rachel and Tom Regan, Ericka Bagwell, Aimee and Wynne Snoots, Carley and Mike Stasney, Grace and Steven Ward, Monica and Jed Skeet, Marie and Joseph Flanigan, Jessica and Ryan Getz, Denise and Brett Mears, Kiki Wilson, Peggie and Kyle Pentecost.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

dec my room fundraisers