Setting an example

Paul Clinton

Interior designer Dawn Piel put the finishing touches on her

“Cocktails in Paradise” display, as part of South Coast Plaza’s “The

Home Event” -- 10 mock rooms on display at the shopping center

through Sunday.

Piel, one of eight decorators to dress up the rooms using

merchandise from 30 retailers in the center, said the event will

offer aspiring designers and homeowners inspiration for their own

projects.

Piel points to one key to successfully decorating any room.

“You find a piece and you build around that,” Piel said. “There

are so many pieces of furniture that are adaptable.”

For her room, Piel found an etagere, which she used as a bar. She

surrounded it with a leather ottoman, torchere light, throw pillows

and glassware from a string of stores.

Piel’s room is one of six in the center’s Jewel Court, which is in

front of Macy’s. Four other settings are in Center Court near Crate &

Barrel.

The “room vignettes” are a good way to highlight the plaza’s 30

home stores, which have seen higher sales during the past several

years.

“It showcases our home stores,” center spokeswoman Debra Gunn

Downing said. “And at the same time, it gives the customers great

insight and ideas for their own homes.”

As part of the home event, several other rooms will be on display,

including a romantic master bedroom; dining room; home office and

den; girl’s room; outdoor breakfast room; gentleman’s den and

library; lady’s dressing area; rustic sitting area; and guest room.

All the rooms are open to the public during plaza hours at no

cost.

Lidia Mandelbaum, the general manager of Mexican-based retailer

dupuis, joined a handful of other home furnishings retailers to lobby

mall owners C.J. Segerstrom & Sons to sponsor the event.

“We thought it would be a great promotional event for South Coast

Plaza and the vendors,” Mandelbaum said. “It’s a great opportunity

for everyone.”