Colin Cowie's Beachy Townhouse Benefit

Entertaining guru Colin Cowie turned an Upper East Side townhouse into a showcase of decor inspired by beaches from around the world for a benefit for New York League/LifeStart. After walking through a sand-filled first floor, guests found that each of the upper four floors of the townhouse--the former residence of the event's hosts, Wendy Belzberg and Strauss Zelnick--had decor inspired by a different beach area. And each floor had different food, drinks and entertainment, all matched to the floor's theme.
The first beach floor was inspired by the Bahamas, and featured a mango and watermelon color scheme. Beach balls were scattered on the floor, caterer Robbins Wolfe Eventeurs brought in a raw bar and a salsa band from Empire Entertainment played for guests.

Next was the Careyes, Mexico, floor, with turquoise and lime green decor, including lots of boxy couches and sunflowers, plus matching votive candles on cocktail tables. An interesting hors d'oeuvre: vodka-spiked gazpacho in shot glasses made of hollowed cucumbers.

The South Beach, Florida, floor had a cream, beige and white color scheme, with ottomans and other bed-style seating covered in white denim slipcovers. In addition to providing food made by its own chefs (many of them working in closets in the house) Robbins Wolfe also brought in a sushi bar from Oshiso Japanese Catering for this floor.

The top floor had a vibrant red and purple look, inspired by Havana, Cuba. Guests could sprawl on red and white bed-style seats bathed in deep red light, and eat from a buffet of grilled chicken, hot dogs and hamburgers.

Having the party in a townhouse instead of a more traditional event venue added a few challenges. (One decor solution: Cowie filled the large, empty bookshelves in many rooms with lots of color-coordinated votive candles.) The event's Upper East Side, upper crust guests frequently found themselves shimmying past each other through the narrow hallways and staircases. And with no central air conditioning, they often felt the heat of some of the inspiring beaches, despite the presence of several large fans.

Belzberg and Zelnick (the former BMG Entertainment CEO) hosted the benefit for New York League/LifeStart, a nonprofit agency that provides services for children with special needs. (The couple's three-year-old third child, Leigh, received physical and speech therapy services from the agency.)

One roving decor touch: Models from Wilhelmina, who walked through the house in bathing suits and watches from event sponsor Audemars Piguet, which prompted one female guest to mutter, "I have to go. My husband's talking to a woman in a bikini."

--Chad Kaydo

See pictures of the Bahamas-inspired floor...

See pictures of the Careyes, Mexico-inspired floor...

See pictures of the South Beach, Florida-inspired floor...

See pictures of the Havana, Cuba-inspired floor...