A sizable representation of the interior design world’s A-list recently gathered at Michael’s restaurant for a drinks party hosted by Kohler. The evening was held to celebrate the show house’s post-pandemic return, along with recognizing the petite dynamo who has made it all happen for the 17th (yes, 17th) time — Nazira Handal.
This young wife, mother of three boys and graduate of Georgia Southern University, came to New York from her native Honduras to originally to serve as special events director at El Museo del Barrio before assuming a similar role at the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, which included overseeing the show house, now in its 48th year!
Fast forward to 17 show houses in three cities (New York, Palm Beach, and Dallas), Nazira has become something of a legend in her ability to pull off the unthinkable — managing not just the designers who are charged with transforming a house to a show house in barely 30 days, but every aspect of the undertaking, from construction to the opening gala along with the annual President’s Dinner that raises in excess of $1 million annually for the organization that serves over 10,000 kids in the South Bronx. (Jennifer Lopez is herself a Kips Bay kid!)
Kohler has been a loyal supporter of Kips Bay for over a decade, exclusively outfitting each and every Kips Bay Show House with their products for the kitchen and bath along with significant financial contributions.
“Kips Bay’s mission of service to kids in need is a part of Kohler’s DNA,” said Sydney Cleven, Kohler’s spokesperson for the buzzy love fest that included design stars such as Bunny Williams and Jamie Drake. “We may be a big company, but we know that many times, the best things come in small packages!”
This year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House NYC, a Beaux Arts mansion on Riverside Drive and 106th Street, is now open for visitors for the next month. Visit https://www.kipsbaydecoratorshowhouse.org for tickets.
On May 8th, ADAPT Community Network held its 22nd Annual Golf Tournament at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, New York. The event was sold-out and attended by over 150 people. The annual tournament supports ADAPT Community Network, with all proceeds from the event helping to fund the delivery of life-affirming programs and services to children and adults with disabilities and their families. The event raised over $200,000.
Steve Lacy, anchor, FOX 5 News, and two-time Emmy-winner Teresa Priolo, FOX 5 News reporter and anchor, hosted this year’s event. The tournament honored Mark A. Spivack, founding partner, The Weiss Group.
Following the day of golf, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails were served at the Brae Burn Country Club. Edward R. Matthews, CEO of ADAPT Community Network, gave welcome remarks. Steve Lacy and Teresa Priolo presented the ADAPT Golf Tournament awards.
“We thank everyone who supported this year’s golf tournament,” says Ed Matthews. “We were delighted to honor Mark A. Spivack. We thank Steve Lacy and Teresa Priolo for being such dedicated longtime supporters to ADAPT, and we also thank this year’s ADAPT Golf Committee.
The 2023 ADAPT Golf Tournament Committee was Michael Berger, Valentino Galella, Edward R. Matthews, Jeffrey Weiss, and Alan Zack.
ADAPT Community Network is the leading human service not‐for‐profit and a pioneer in providing cutting‐edge programs and services for people with disabilities. Every day, we build a more inclusive world for thousands of New Yorkers through education, technology, health, residential, and recreational programs in all five boroughs. Our schools and services encompass many people who have challenges beyond cerebral palsy such as autism, Down syndrome, spina bifida, and neuromuscular disorders, among others. We are the largest provider of pre‐school education for children with disabilities in New York. ADAPT’s 100 comprehensive programs serve over 20,000 children and adults with disabilities and their families.
To donate, or for more information about ADAPT Community Network, go to:
www.adaptcommunitynetwork.org
And down there in little ‘ol Palm Beach, the town is still busy busy busy as friends and collectors gathered to celebrate Camilla Webster’s artistic collaboration with Sarah Jessica Parker’s The Perfect Cosmo by SJP for Thomas Ashbourne and to launch the artist’s inaugural Collectors Circle experience.
Located one block down from The Norton Museum of Art the solo exhibit highlights twenty of Webster’s works inspired by the radical beauty and idyllic memory of Palm Beach.
In attendance Interior designer Gil Walsh, John and Alicia Barnes, Sharon Bush and Bob Murray, Catherine Carey and Ava Roosevelt. Jeremy Johnson, CEO of The Palm Beach Historical Society, Tom Golden and Jean Marc Golden of The Golden Foundation for the Arts, and philanthropists Gary Lachman, Jayne and Christopher Chase, Felicia Taylor Gottsegen and Peter Gottsegen.
Photographs by Madeleine Thomas/BFA.com (Kohler); Jerry Lacay/AnnieWatt.com (Camilla Webster)
