Loyal readers may recall that we were invited to design a vignette for the 2012 Crystal Charity Ball. The theme for that event was Le Grand Bal Parisien and it was an evening to remember.
We were charged with creating a vignette to convey the wealth of jewels that were available as part of the silent auction. To that end Sherry envisioned an intrigue dangereux set in a gilded boiserie chamber dripping with gems and replete with a beautiful live model who was the personification of l’ingenue dangereaux.
To create the feel of a French salon in a 3’ x 8’ space (think elevator sized) Sherry collaborated first with her husband, architect Cole Smith, and then with her talented brother, Michael Stallings to create a paneled space with gilded plaster moldings appropriate to the aesthetic.
A big, fabulous painting was added to be the focal point of the window. Sherry wanted something that conveyed beauty with an undeniable element of “something else”. She found it in the form of a piece by Deborah Oropallo at the David Sutherland showroom in the Dallas Design Center.
The chandelier was found in a local antique store and redressed and embellished by assistant designer, Stephanie Wiggins, who, under Sherry’s guidance, added an abundance of amethyst and topaz crystals. The finished piece dripped bejeweled glamour.
Since the space was so small we had to keep accessories to a minimum. Sherry’s daughter, Peyton Hayslip, owner of Peyton Hayslip Beadworks, designed and fabricated an amazing jeweled table.
In addition to the table, we incorporated an acrylic candelabrum and had tiny shades made, by our friend Linda at Cele Johnson, with custom trim and antique tiaras found by Sherry and Peyton in the Paris flea markets.
On the table we scattered various gems, a crystal skull holding a clutch of roses, and a digital frame flashing through images of the jewelry contributed by various local jewelers to the ball’s Silent Auction. The digital frame was simply something we picked up at Office Depot, but that was certainly not befitting the beauty of our space, so Sherry worked with a local plaster artisan to create the perfect French-inspired frame.
No detail was left untouched.
David Alexandre, whom Sherry met through her son, Allan Hayslip, found us a wonderful live model named Bondi Holly. With David’s help, Sherry turned her into a 17th century French courtesan attired in a custom, hand beaded gown.
With the assistance of so many, we were able to bring to life a vignette that expressed bejeweled romance, beauty, lavishness, and luxury tinged with a subtle element of the modern.
And it was a hit amongst ball attendees (not this grungy group)!
But that was last year…
This year the talents at Crystal Charity Ball envisioned an evening that evoked the glamour of Magnificent Manhattan. Somewhat Gatsby, with sweeping vistas of gleaming skyscrapers, and high-kicking Rockettes.
Crooner Hunter Sullivan and his ensemble provided some of the entertainment.
And, again, we were asked to bring to life one of the silent auction categories. This time “Lifestyle” was our mission, and yet again Sherry hit a home run with her amazing vision.
It all began with the plan…
First, Sherry had the vision then her ideas became reality as we acquired the elements from various resources. Pre-eminent among those resources this year was Decorators Supply out of Chicago. We’ve used their products for years and they graciously helped us achieve our vision under a very tight deadline (this was for charity after all).
Once the various molding details from Decorators Supply were received Michael Stallings and his team went to work gilding with silver and gold metal leaf.
The mirror, the dominant feature on the back wall, in progress.
A finished panel, ready for installation.
It’s incredible how the addition of the metal leaf, in the combination of silver and gold, makes the Art Deco aesthetic really sing.
The day of the installation happened to coincide with the worst ice storm in more than 30 years. Dallas was at a virtual standstill with whole neighborhoods without power and freeways sheathed in ice. But we were undaunted.
The Eveready Services team was there, led by Klif and Wes.
Simon Romero, our master electrician, made sure our original art deco chandelier and sconces, loaned to us through the incredible generosity of the gentlemen at Deco-dence, here in Dallas, were installed perfectly.
Peter Day, Michael’s associate, was instrumental in the success of our project…
And Sherry and her brother Michael shared the love.
It was amazing how quickly things came together.
The chandelier is suspended from a silver leafed ceiling adorned with a sunburst medallion.
Here’s a picture with a little softer lighting so you can see the beautiful detailing in the frosted glass shades.
The sconces, highly coveted from the late 1920's to early 1930's, signed Edward F. Caldwell, in gilt and polished nickel with original frosted and etched glass panels, were installed perfectly against a mirrored backdrop.
This picture is a bit on the dark side to highlight the beautiful etching on the glass shades.
Other elements in the space included a pair of found brackets that were hand-painted to mimic marble and topped with sleek black shelves…
which made the perfect perch for flowers from our friends at the Garden Gate.
An incredible gold leafed faux fireplace mantle…
and a classically Art Deco bar cart made specifically for this project by the artisans at Deco-dence…
and another tribute to the excesses of the jazz age, a curvaceous nymph ash stand…
But for the second year, the thing that really took the vignette to the next level was the inclusion of a live model. Again, we relied on David Alexandre and his talented model, Bondi Holly, to bring life to our stunning space.
And the vignette completely finished…
We want to thank the wonderful group at the Crystal Charity Ball, including this year’s chair, Caren Kline, event planner Tom Addis, and floral designer Junior Villanueva for the opportunity to participate and design another vignette for their premiere event. Since 1952 the Crystal Charity Ball has provided aid, support, and contributions to children’s charities in Dallas County. In the years since its inception the Crystal Charity Ball has given more than $105 million to very grateful organizations.
It is our pleasure to be involved with this wonderful organization and we hope to continue to support their efforts in the future.