Back in February, I was priviledged to be the Guest of Honor of VERANDA Magazine for the VERANDA Designer Visions 2012 Event. What an honor to be in the presence of Creative Director, Carolyn Englefield and Designer, Antony Todd. What a night it was!! It was magical :)
Having never attended an event of this kind, I wasnt sure what to expect and I was blown away. From the moment I checked in to the Tribeca Grand Hotel until I departed, every moment was top notch and far exceeded anything I could have dreamt it could be. It moves me to tears of joy even today when I think about it. It was a dream come true :)
As an Interior Designer, you dream of being a part of the major shelter magazines; VERANDA, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Traditional Home...these are the Matriarchs of the publishing industry and you feel as if you will have "arrived" if one day you are priviledged enough, and have worked hard enough to be a part of their world; it's like the icing on the cake, the cherry on top of a career in the Interior Design industry.
How did I land such an amazing honor you ask? I was the lucky winner of a raffle held during the NYC Blogfest Tour(Sponsored by Hearst and Kravet) last May!! Yes, that's right, the stars aligned and I was the lucky winner of a simple raffle ticket!! I still can't believe it! Thank you LORD :) I KNOW where my blessings come from.
So there I was at the Tribeca Grand Hotel(which was a magical experience all on it's own) and ready to go at 5:30pm as I had been directed. At 5:30 sharp the towncar pulled up and opened the door for me(I felt like Cinderella).
A few blocks later the driver pulled up in front of a beautiful building at 250 West Street, NYC. WOW!!! What a gorgeous building with a heart stopping view of the harbor and the Statue of Liberty!! Oh my goodness....who lives like this?
The scene was like something out of the movies...beautifully dressed guests streaming in and out of the tall glass doors, red carpet...truly magical. I walked the red carpet and entered the tall glass doors to be greeted by several very friendly and impeccably dressed gentlemen who took my coat and directed me to wait as my "person" was not available as of yet. I was happy to wait as the activity in the lobby was very interesting and exciting. So many beautiful New Yorkers and their lovely black apparel. I loved watching them and the time passed quickly.
When I noticed the time again, I realized that I was late getting upstairs with still no sign of my "person" so, in true "Kim" fashion, I took it upon myself to find my own way to where I was supposed to be. I headed over to the elevator and did exactly what everyone else was doing, lol. I asked for the fifth floor and when the elevator door opened....all I can say is that it was like I stepped into a movie...busy, beautiful, magical. I think I may have stood there a minute or two in pure bliss as I watched what was going on around me...when I came too, lol, I set out to find Carolyn Englefield and when I did she was as lovely as I remembered her to be(I met her in Dallas a few months earlier). So very beautiful, welcoming, kind and gracious :) She introduced me to Antony Todd, the designer chosen by VERANDA to design their apartment for the event. He was equally as kind and gracious, not to mention extremely talented and handsome.
We toured the apartment together and it was breath taking. Each room more lovely than the next. Antony did an incredible job. They offered me food and wine which was deliciously displayed in the dining room and kitchen area of the apartment. I can't begin to describe the beauty of this space. Pictures are worth a thousand words so here is a video produced by VERANDA.
VERANDA Designer Visions Video
What a magical evening...I couldnt have been more thrilled to have been a part of such a wonderful event and it was truly a dream come true for me. Words couldnt describe how gracious and kind Carolyn and Antony were to me, I felt so at home and like I was truly part of the event. They both made sure to include me in everything that evening, even the red carpet photos...I am a lucky girl!!! XOXO VERANDA
A special "thank you" to VERANDA for including me in such an amazing and beautifully orchestrated event. I am truly honored and so very thankful to have been your Guest of Honor. Carolyn and Antony could not have been more gracious and welcoming and made my evening with VERANDA a night I will never forget.
Thank you both so very much.
XOXO,
Kim
