Column: The Crowd: Decorative Arts Society launches 23rd annual lecture series with flair

You might call them the most sophisticated ladies and gents on the Newport social scene. After all, these residents are passionate about the decorative arts in all forms from architecture and interior design to landscape design, visual arts and publishing.

They appropriately call themselves the Decorative Arts Society (DARTS) and they have been championing the pursuit of elegance in design for more than two decades on the Orange Coast with proceeds from their many events and lectures assisting worthy nonprofits that aid families and children in need in Orange County.

This fall DARTS launched its 23rd annual lecture series welcoming the design team of Steve and Brooke Giannetti to front the first sold-out lecture, “Stories and Dreams: Designing a Personal Home.”

The design force combines their individual skills with Steve functioning as architect and Brooke as interior designer. The pair is working on projects in California, France, Connecticut and Nashville, Tenn.

Working out of their home base in Ojai on a farm called Patina, the Giannettis have been featured in publications such as Veranda and C Magazine, among others.

Maureen Madigan, president of DARTS. commented: “Steve and Brooke have such a wealth of knowledge and expertise blending architecture, interior and furniture design. We are thrilled to have them kick off our 23rd season.”

A highlight of the lecture presentation was the reveal of a line of Giannetti fashion garments created by their son Charlie. Clearly, design talent follows the generational line.

To learn more about the 2017-18 season of DARTS lectures, visit decorativeartssociety.net.

Earlier this fall social season, “Romance of the Mission” attracted some 450 guests for an annual al fresco black-tie gala raising significant funds for preservation of the early California church in San Juan Capistrano.

Mission San Juan Capistrano executive director Mechelle Lawrence Adams and Mission Preservation Foundation president George O’Connell welcomed the crowd including special guests and major benefactors such as Sheila and Jim Peterson of the Microsemi Corporation.

The Petersons joined mega-supporters including the George O’Connell family, Ed Tracy, sponsor Lugano Diamonds and dinner underwriter Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, who all helped to raise $221,000 for mission restoration.

The swallows are not the only creatures that return to San Juan Capistrano year after year.

The O.C. crowd heads to South County for this event to enjoy a night featuring a concert held under the stars in the courtyard of the old Great Stone Church. This season, Tony and Grammy Award-winning vocalist Heather Headley fronted the show, beginning with an a capella version of “Amazing Grace” with a 12-member choir.

An elegant and first-class dinner catered by the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel followed.

Supporting Mission preservation were Alex and Pam Munro, Laurie and Bruce Horn, Joan and Bill Cvengros, Janet Curci, Trevor Baird, Tiffany Powell and Tim and Stephanie Busch.

A fall masquerade ball attracted a sold-out crowd in support of Vocational Visions, an O.C.-based agency supporting adults with disabilities.

The Irvine Marriott Hotel welcomed the costumed guests for cocktails at sunset, while they perused a silent auction and greeted fellow donors.

Joan McKinney, executive director of Vocational Visions, joined board chair Linda Albers to address the crowd at dinner.

Also front and center for the evening was advocate Joe Orak who joined McKinney in presenting the Wal-Mart Employee of the Year honors to J.T. Thorson, director of the Laguna Niguel Wal-Mart.

Since 1974, Vocational Visions has provided vocational, economic and social services to Orange County adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. They serve some 500 citizens needing assistance in the county.

B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.