Mention Housing Works Thrift Shops to anyone in New York and they will tell you how much they love them about the best thing they’ve ever found. Those who are lucky to live close to one make a weekly, if not daily, pilgrimage to search for treasures. The shops are addictive as is their Design on a Dime Opening Night Reception which is the most anticipated night of the entire year for the design industry! The fifth anniversary party this Thursday, May 7th will be hosted by Parker Posey and features more than 40 of the world’s top interior designers who will create unforgettable room vignettes with new merchandise, donated and then sold for 60 to 80 percent off retail pricing.

My friends from Flair will be creating a room as will Carolina Irving, Elizabeth Bauer, Huniford Design Studio, Calypso, Charlotte Moss, Nathan Egan Interiors, Robert Passal, Ty Pennington for Sears and many more! If you can’t make it for the opening event, I hope you will stop by over the weekend when it is open to the public and free because all the proceeds benefit Housing Works and their wonderful programs. Design on a Dime also helps provide funding for projects such as Housing Works’ recently opened congregate living facility, Stand Up Harlem House. Housing Works renovated three classic Harlem brownstones to create the residence, which now provides 16 apartments to homeless and low-income individuals and families affected by HIV and AIDS. If you are going to shop, it might as well be for a great cause!