Some Sterling Examples of Table Design
In what has become Orange County’s version of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” more than 800 people got a peek inside of four elegant estates at the “Designs for Dining” benefit for Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
Staged last week by the Cinderella Guild of CHOC, the fund-raiser featured a self-guided tour of Newport Beach mansions, each decorated with if-money-were-no-object table settings courtesy of local specialty stores. The $50-per-person tour and luncheon raised about $40,000 for CHOC.
Setting the Table
“People like this event because they can get a free look at how a professional designer sets a table,” said Lynn Voigt, event chairwoman.
Guests were free to tour the homes at their own pace throughout the day. Guild hostesses and a few watchful security guards were on hand to greet them.
At the home of Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom, visitors were just as interested in the owners’ collection of porcelain figurines as they were in ogling the dining room table display created by Tiffany & Co.
Designers played off the home’s neutral taupe and beige tones with subtle plum accents.
“We wanted to do something neutral because the home is neutral,” said Sandra Wessel, bridal consultant of Tiffany & Co. at South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa. “It’s very understated and sophisticated.”
Using the crystal chandelier that dangled above the dining room table for inspiration, Tiffany chose its Century china setting with a starburst pattern and added a collection of crystal obelisks in the center to “pick up the points of the motif of the china,” Wessel said.
A massive flower arrangement from Matthew-Taylor in Tustin added to the table’s color, with dahlias, roses, lilies and tulips in deep rose and purple hues that complemented the Segerstroms’ own towering amethyst candlesticks.
“We’ve been hearing ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ everywhere,” said Shirley Clark, co-hostess of the Segerstrom home.
Rooms With Views
Other homes also had guests looking around in wide-eyed wonder. The estate of Jerome and Joyce Mack, next-door neighbors of the Segerstroms, was admired for its clean, contemporary decor and view of the Newport Harbor.
“It’s the perfect use of the view of the bay. So few walls get in the way,” said Marion Pickens, hostess of the Mack home.
Some retailers went to extreme lengths to decorate the homes. Nordstrom, which decked out the family room and bar of the Newport Beach home of Robert and Mary Ellen Mayer, borrowed a photo of the Mayers’ Yorkshire terrier to have his image reproduced in chocolate. At the English country style retreat of Susan Field Bollman (of Marshall Field lineage), guests lingered over a master bedroom romantically decorated by Cheri’s in Newport Beach that has a view of Newport Harbor from its sitting room.
“We never dreamed we’d get these spectacular homes,” said Emily Barrett, guild president.
Cinco Celebration
By noon most guests had gathered at the Tara-inspired estate of John and Donna Crean, the event’s honorary chairmen, for a Cinco de Mayo luncheon and shopping boutique.
Tables draped in colorful cloth and paper flowers were set up on the lawn. Pinatas and sombreros adorned buffet tables loaded with chicken enchiladas, salads with shrimp and avocado and other Mexican favorites provided by Turnip Rose.
Among the CHOC supporters were: Gail River, coordinator of the homes; Louise Schwennesen, coordinator of stores; hostesses Robin McIntyre, Jean Mahoney, Pearl Hoag, Kay Stockmar, Fran Morgan, Carol Mulvey, Sonia Ike and Jean Rimpau; Lynn Cancilla, Joni Allison, Wanda Evans, Carola Campbell, Joan Kipper, Susan Nelson, Ruth Borders, Ginny Frova, Doris Linhardt, Trish Rattray, Martha Boler, Etelka Greer and Mary Doupe.
