Celebrating 20 Years of Design on a Dime: BHS Agents Spotlight Meaningful Design with a Purpose

This spring, the 20th anniversary of Design on a Dime returned to New York City’s Metropolitan Pavilion, marking a milestone year for the celebrated benefit hosted by Housing Works. From April 23–26, 2025, the event welcomed thousands of guests to shop fully-designed vignettes by leading interior designers, each filled with luxury home décor, furnishings, and artwork donated by top brands—sold at up to 80% off retail. As always, every dollar raised supported Housing Works’ mission to provide housing and healthcare for New Yorkers living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and homelessness. This year, the event raised over $1 million, setting a new fundraising record for the organization.

Among the standout features of this year’s showcase were the thoughtfully curated designs that blended creativity with compassion. Interior designer Tina Ramchandani, whose style she describes as “soulful minimalism,” created a striking vignette centered around intentional living. In an on-site interview with West Side Agent Mike Lubin, Tina shared her belief in surrounding yourself only with pieces that hold meaning, allowing space to focus on the people who matter most. Her vignette highlighted the repurposed couch she originally designed for Broadway’s Suffs musical, alongside Benjamin Moore’s bold “Deep Mauve” and carefully selected accents—all donated to support the cause.

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East Side Agent Louise Phillips Forbes also joined the celebration, stepping into a nature-inspired space created by designer Melanie Roy. The vignette featured standout pieces including a sculptural chair from Ralph Pucci, a bronze desk by John Lyle Design, and a richly textured Ashley Stark rug—each element demonstrating a perfect balance of elegance and generosity. As Louise explored the space, she spoke with Roy about the transformative power of design and how this event channels that power toward real impact for those in need.

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This year’s Design on a Dime not only celebrated 20 years of extraordinary interior design, but also 20 years of community, advocacy, and heart. Brown Harris Stevens was proud to continue its partnership with LBI Connext to connect brokers with designers who believe in giving back through their work. As Housing Works looks ahead to another year of service and support, events like this remind us that great design can do more than beautify a space—it can change lives.