Leading interior designer Alene Workman; Buddy Award recipient, designer Steven Hefner; fellow designer Michael Wirtz

Over 500 sun-bronzed guests gathered at the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA) in Dania Beach for “Night of the Stars,” the Academy Awards ceremony for Florida’s design industry. The annual event, which rewards exceptional design creativity within the state, was sponsored by DCOTA, Architectural Digest, Las Olas Magazine, and the Sheraton Hotel.

Rod Hagwood, fashion editor of The Sun Sentinel, kept the crowd enthralled with his unique brand of humor and quintessential good taste. DCOTA PR Director David Granoff brought down the house with clips from his outrageously amusing red-carpet arrival interviews. The highlight of the screening was when the always-entertaining PR guru asked the arriving honored guest, Tommy Tune, escorted by long-time pal, actress Lucie Arnaz, how many of his paintings (exhibited at the event) would someone have to buy to get him to offer cha-cha lessons in that person’s home. Caught off guard, the multi-talented South Beach resident and Broadway Renaissance man seemed genuinely confused. Well then, Granoff followed up, what about rumba lessons? Tune finally cracked a smile. He’d do it, he said, but only if the agreement was for tap lessons!

Later, Tune, who has won nine Tonys in four different categories (directing, choreography, featured actor, and actor), was presented by DCOTA VP and General Manager Joan Kerns Kauffman with a Special Appreciation Award. Design Excellence Awards also were presented to designers in the categories of condominium/apartment, hospitality, retail/showroom, historic preservation, and workplace/office. And this year, an illustrious panel of judges, including: Sherri Donghia, Dakota Jackson, Ralph Pucci, Valerie Moran, Charles Gandy, William Sofield, and Adam Tihany, selected winners of the first-ever DCOTA Rising Star Awards, in the categories of kitchen, bathroom, living/dining area makeover, outdoor living space, and retail/hospitality.

It was a night for the exceptional style and visual acumen of Florida’s design professionals to shine!