Beginning with a Preview Party on Wednesday, October 3 and culminating with a luncheon on Thursday, October 4, St. Charles Avenue and its parent company, Renaissance Publishing LLC and the Renaissance Foundation, together with Presenting Sponsor Royal Honda and Chairs Betsy and Eric Laborde and Sheldon and Michael Schmidt, presented a check for over $100,000 to Bastion at their fifth annual “Wine, Dine & Design” tablescapes luncheon.
The Preview Party allowed 275 guests a sneak peek at the fabulous designs while sipping wine and dining on hors d’oeuvres by the Audubon Tea Room catering team. In addition, patrons enjoyed live music courtesy of Band Sponsor Access New Orleans and bid on live auction packages including a Black Pearl necklace courtesy of Marty’s on Magazine, a Napa Valley Winery Stay compliments of Elizabeth and Clarke Swanson and a Best of New Orleans package filled with hotel stays, restaurant gift cards and more.
The next day, the Audubon Tea Room hosted 23 tables created by retailers and designers, each with its own theme and design elements. Almost 230 guests dined and sipped among these creations, while learning more about Bastion. Following our thank yous, we held a live auction of a VIP Experience from Scarlet Pearl Casino, a live painting by Kelly Boyette and for “Saturn’s Turn” by James Michalopoulos.
The Renaissance Foundation’s mission is to support nonprofit organizations through marketing, events and financial support.
Bastion, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is an intentionally designed neighborhood for returning warriors and families located on 5.5 acres at 1901 Mirabeau Ave. in New Orleans. Their powerful community model incubates meaningful, lifetime relationships to sustain a thriving recovery from the wounds and casualties of war. Phase 1, including 19 double family homes with 73 residents who have 196 years of combined military service, green space and a 1,700-square-foot Wellness Center, is complete and 100 percent leased up. Phase 2 is leasing up, adding 20 more units for a total of 58 apartments.
Bastion is executing a three-phase development strategy that will fill a critical gap in the continuum of care for post 9/11 veterans and families in Southeast Louisiana. If you would like to learn more, visit the campus or donate, please call (888) 737-5577 or visit JoinBastion.org.
Read on to learn more about these tables and see the incredible designs, and prepare to join us next year!
“After the Fox Hunt” designed by Gene Luke for Ambrose Garden LLC (8015 Maple St., 861-1953, AmbroseGarden.com)
“Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil” designed by Eric Fredericks for Bee’s Wedding & Event Designs & Belinda Belk for Blue Gardenia Events (738 Phosphor Ave., 343-4530, BeesWeddingDesigns.com)
“Saints” designed by Kellie Mathas for Crystal Clear Creative (1401 Edwards Ave., 508-1303)
“Le Luxe Au Quotidien” designed by Stephen Sonnier for Dunn and Sonnier Antiques • Florals • Gifts (3433 Magazine St., 524-3235, DunnAndSonnier.com)
“Home” designed by Marguerite Oestricher and Terri Dreyer for New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (2900 Elysian Fields Ave., 609-3335, Habitat-Nola.org; NANOLlc.net)
“Au” designed by Kim Starr Wise for Kim Starr Wise Floral Events (437 Philip St., 315-5607, KimStarrWise.com)
“Fancy Hosts” designed by Tony Leggio and Holly Bethay for Hosts New Orleans (365 Canal St., Suite 1400, 252-5476, HostsNewOrleans.com)
“Infinite Grace” designed by Donna Russell for Infinity Farms (119 Riley Boone Road, 552-8880, InfinityFarms.com)
“Landscape Images, LTD in Puerto Vallarta” designed by Marianne Mumford for Landscape Images, LTD (655 Central Ave., 734-8380, LandscapeImagesLtd.com)
“Louisiana Harvest Moon” designed by Loftin Brooks, Marian DeMeyers and Susan Clasen (220-0303)
“The Edible Garden” designed by Amy Graham, Laren Holzer and Marguerite Andrews for Longue Vue House & Gardens (7 Bamboo Road, 293-4726, LongueVue.com)
“Asian” designed by Lauren Soley for Lovegood Wedding & Event Rentals (1340 Montegut St., 433-2112, LoveGoodRentals.com)
“Hang Tight, Epiphyte” designed by Monique Chauvin for Mitch’s Flowers (4843 Magazine St., 899-4843, MitchsFlowersNola.com)
“The Orléans Collection” designed by Margaret Ludwig for the New Orleans Museum of Art (1 Collins Diboll Circle, 658-4139, NOMA.org)
“A Glass Affair A Glass Act” designed by Juli Juneau for Nomad Collection by Juli Juneau (615-2113, NomadCollection.com)
“Garden of Eve” designed by Glenn Vatshell for Palate New Orleans (2818, 8220 Willow St., 864-2990, PalateNewOrleans.com)
“Diamonds and Pearls” designed by Maitee Gomez for Royal Events, Candles and Décor (110 Campbell Ave., Suite 1, 400-9416, RoyalEventsNola.com)
“El Septuagesimo de la Generalisima!” designed by Steve Baker for Steve Baker Designs LLC (777-0557)
“Coastal Paradise” designed by Eva Baillie and Cady Barrett for The Plant Gallery (9401 Airline Highway, 488-8887, ThePlantGallery.com)
“Spooky Carnival” designed by Candice Gwinn for Trashy Diva (537 Royal St. & 2048 Magazine St., 299-3939, TrashyDiva.com)
“Precious Stones” designed by Wink Design and Events for Wink Design and Events (1519 Tchoupitoulas St., 366-8063, WinkDesignAndEvents.com)
“Butterflies & Trees” designed by Z Event Company for Z Event Company (508 Metairie Road, 510-5838, ZEventCo.com)
“New Orleans: The City of Palms” designed by Beverly Church and Luis Colmenares for Beverly Church (5914 Pitt St., 891-0726, BeverlyChurch.com)
Thank You
We wish to thank our Chairmen: Betsy and Dr. Eric Laborde and Sheldon and Michael Schmidt.
We also wish to thank our Presenting Sponsor: Royal Honda.
And our Supporting Sponsors and Table Sponsors: Libby Dufour Fund; PJ’s Coffee; New Orleans Saints; IberiaBank; The Patrick F. Taylor Foundation; Greater New Orleans Foundation; Woodward Design & Build; Touch Vodka; Access New Orleans; Loftin Brooks, Marian DeMeyers & Susan Clasen; Peggy & Jack Laborde; Betsy & Dr. Eric Laborde; Sheldon & Michael Schmidt; The Packard Family; Peyton & Elizabeth Bush; Michelle & Lamar Villere; Trashy Diva; Infinity Farms; Marshall & Faye Ballard; Manny Bright; Arlene Philipson; Sally & Walter Cockerham; Joel & Mary Funderburk; and Valerie Thibaut.
Special thanks to James Michalopoulos, Marty Leatherbury, Kelly Boyette and Clarke and Elizabeth Swanson.
In addition, a very special thanks to our host, the Audubon Tea Room.
