Interiors
Kips Bay designer show house
Kips Bay designer show house
Interiors
Kips Bay designer show house
Described as the Academy Awards of show houses, the Kips Bay Show House in New York is a must see for those in the design biz – and us mere mortals, too! A treasure trove of the best and brightest interior designers the U.S. has to offer, the house, which is an annual fundraiser for a local Boys and Girls club, is located in a 1922 manse complete with doorman.
Some notable designers participating this year include Charlotte Moss, Bunny Williams and a special appearance was even made by living design legend Albert Hadley. While the house is only open for a limited time, we got some gorgeous photos for you to check out. Take away some down-to-earth designer tips for bringing champagne touches to your own home (even if you’re on a beer budget).
The winding staircase has gorgeous 3-D flowers created by paper artist Jo Lynn Alcorn for designer Amy Lau at Maya Romanoff. Using three different kinds of wallpaper (not including the background paper) the artist conjures a beautiful spring scene that seems to actually grow up the staircase. This would be an interesting project (perhaps on a smaller scale) for a little girl’s or powder room.
"It’s a unique opportunity to work with an imaginary client," says first-time participant Kathy Abbott. Her Jewel Box Sitting Room is wrapped in hand-painted scenic Chinese wallpaper and has a warm gold painted ceiling. She displays bunches of calligraphy paintbrushes instead of flowers in vases. Not only will they last practically indefinitely, they are an affordable and truly artistic touch. If you’re not ready to throw in the brush, try orchids. "The orchid, which lends an air of luxury and elegance, is a less expensive option to fresh flowers as it lasts months. Your initial outlay is more, but over the life of the plant you actually save."
If you have fond memories of your own childhood bedroom, check out the one Matthew Patrick Smith collaborated on with Gloria Vanderbilt. In an attempt to replicate the bedroom she had in the 1940s, the walls were painted a glamorous silver, books and a vintage vanity set were added and music she listened to at the time is piped in. Gloria even painted a quote on the wall: "I fell in love with the room and forever after tried to recapture it…" Patrick warns: "Writing on the walls can be risky. If not done well it could look a bit manic, but with some thought and care, it could transport the room to another level, which I think Gloria's passage does."
For more information, visit: kipsbay.org
Some notable designers participating this year include Charlotte Moss, Bunny Williams and a special appearance was even made by living design legend Albert Hadley. While the house is only open for a limited time, we got some gorgeous photos for you to check out. Take away some down-to-earth designer tips for bringing champagne touches to your own home (even if you’re on a beer budget).
The winding staircase has gorgeous 3-D flowers created by paper artist Jo Lynn Alcorn for designer Amy Lau at Maya Romanoff. Using three different kinds of wallpaper (not including the background paper) the artist conjures a beautiful spring scene that seems to actually grow up the staircase. This would be an interesting project (perhaps on a smaller scale) for a little girl’s or powder room.
"It’s a unique opportunity to work with an imaginary client," says first-time participant Kathy Abbott. Her Jewel Box Sitting Room is wrapped in hand-painted scenic Chinese wallpaper and has a warm gold painted ceiling. She displays bunches of calligraphy paintbrushes instead of flowers in vases. Not only will they last practically indefinitely, they are an affordable and truly artistic touch. If you’re not ready to throw in the brush, try orchids. "The orchid, which lends an air of luxury and elegance, is a less expensive option to fresh flowers as it lasts months. Your initial outlay is more, but over the life of the plant you actually save."
If you have fond memories of your own childhood bedroom, check out the one Matthew Patrick Smith collaborated on with Gloria Vanderbilt. In an attempt to replicate the bedroom she had in the 1940s, the walls were painted a glamorous silver, books and a vintage vanity set were added and music she listened to at the time is piped in. Gloria even painted a quote on the wall: "I fell in love with the room and forever after tried to recapture it…" Patrick warns: "Writing on the walls can be risky. If not done well it could look a bit manic, but with some thought and care, it could transport the room to another level, which I think Gloria's passage does."
For more information, visit: kipsbay.org
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