Sophisticated Hues at the 2019 Kips Bay Decorator Show House
See how this year’s designers mix patterns, soothing colors and thoughtful touches in a renovated New York City gem
Rikki Snyder
May 4, 2019
Houzz Contributor. Professional photographer and stylist specializing in food, products, still life and interiors. Contributing home tour photographer and writer for Houzz.
Houzz Contributor. Professional photographer and stylist specializing in food, products,... More
At this year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House, 22 designers were given about seven weeks to transform their assigned space in a historic Georgian mansion in Manhattan. Each space started as a blank canvas that designers from around the country reimagined as an exhibition of fine furnishings, art and technology. The annual design event is a fundraiser benefiting the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, a renowned youth development center in the Bronx.
Softly elegant rooms and palettes provide a recurring theme throughout the house, along with personal touches inspired by travels and childhood memories. Pattern and color delight in subtle bursts as a complement to neutral schemes. The decorated rooms are not intended to create a unified interior but instead are meant to independently showcase each designer’s style. Get inspired by these spaces to play with textures, fabrics and art.
2019 Kips Bay Decorator Show House
When: Thursday, May 2, through Thursday, May 30
Where: 36-38 E. 74th St., New York City
Info: Check the website for hours and ticket information.
Softly elegant rooms and palettes provide a recurring theme throughout the house, along with personal touches inspired by travels and childhood memories. Pattern and color delight in subtle bursts as a complement to neutral schemes. The decorated rooms are not intended to create a unified interior but instead are meant to independently showcase each designer’s style. Get inspired by these spaces to play with textures, fabrics and art.
2019 Kips Bay Decorator Show House
When: Thursday, May 2, through Thursday, May 30
Where: 36-38 E. 74th St., New York City
Info: Check the website for hours and ticket information.
Photos by Rikki Snyder
Bedroom
Designer: Eve Robinson Associates
New York designer Eve Robinson created a soothing bedroom sanctuary that is sophisticated and peaceful with a light palette of creams and blushes. Her space, which she called A Room of One’s Own, pays homage to the work of writer Virginia Woolf and is decorated with gentle, curvy and sensual furnishings.
“Our room is filled with ethereal strength, form and function. It embodies the lives and achievements of our everyday heroes — women,” Robinson says.
Bedroom
Designer: Eve Robinson Associates
New York designer Eve Robinson created a soothing bedroom sanctuary that is sophisticated and peaceful with a light palette of creams and blushes. Her space, which she called A Room of One’s Own, pays homage to the work of writer Virginia Woolf and is decorated with gentle, curvy and sensual furnishings.
“Our room is filled with ethereal strength, form and function. It embodies the lives and achievements of our everyday heroes — women,” Robinson says.
Study
Designer: Paloma Contreras
Houston designer Paloma Contreras envisions her room as a space for the lady of the house to use as her personal study. Its glamorous features include stunning wallpaper panels by de Gournay, a silver leaf-wrapped ceiling, chartreuse silk moiré draperies and jewel-toned upholstery.
It was important for Contreras to create a space that feels like a fresh interpretation of classic style and for it to be truly timeless and livable.
Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
Designer: Paloma Contreras
Houston designer Paloma Contreras envisions her room as a space for the lady of the house to use as her personal study. Its glamorous features include stunning wallpaper panels by de Gournay, a silver leaf-wrapped ceiling, chartreuse silk moiré draperies and jewel-toned upholstery.
It was important for Contreras to create a space that feels like a fresh interpretation of classic style and for it to be truly timeless and livable.
Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
Kitchen
Designer: Christopher Peacock
Christopher Peacock’s kitchen, called My Home From Home, pays homage to his childhood home and memories. “I grew up in a simple house in the countryside not far from London,” the designer says. “My father was a master builder, and my mother a TV executive who spent her free time pursuing her passion to decorate and redecorate every room. The kitchen at Kips Bay is my personal reflection of those times and of that house. It is, and always will be, my version of ‘home.’”
The deep olive green cabinetry is inspired by one of his mother’s favorite colors. On the island’s drawers is an inscription for his father, who, in Peacock’s words, “would answer the same way whenever I went to him for advice: ‘It is what it is,’ he would say, and typically he was right.” It was important for the designer to add these personalized touches.
Browse popular kitchen photos on Houzz
Designer: Christopher Peacock
Christopher Peacock’s kitchen, called My Home From Home, pays homage to his childhood home and memories. “I grew up in a simple house in the countryside not far from London,” the designer says. “My father was a master builder, and my mother a TV executive who spent her free time pursuing her passion to decorate and redecorate every room. The kitchen at Kips Bay is my personal reflection of those times and of that house. It is, and always will be, my version of ‘home.’”
The deep olive green cabinetry is inspired by one of his mother’s favorite colors. On the island’s drawers is an inscription for his father, who, in Peacock’s words, “would answer the same way whenever I went to him for advice: ‘It is what it is,’ he would say, and typically he was right.” It was important for the designer to add these personalized touches.
Browse popular kitchen photos on Houzz
Breakfast Room
Designer: Vicente Wolf Associates
Vicente Wolf created an unexpected sanctuary in a space he dubbed The Dreaming Room. He offsets Kohler’s contemporary Ceric soaking tub with an 18th-century Chinese console from VW Home that has a bamboo pattern.
The rich aubergine color is the backdrop for an enveloping atmosphere that is meant to soothe the soul and body. The artwork is by Dutch artist Hellen van Meene.
Designer: Vicente Wolf Associates
Vicente Wolf created an unexpected sanctuary in a space he dubbed The Dreaming Room. He offsets Kohler’s contemporary Ceric soaking tub with an 18th-century Chinese console from VW Home that has a bamboo pattern.
The rich aubergine color is the backdrop for an enveloping atmosphere that is meant to soothe the soul and body. The artwork is by Dutch artist Hellen van Meene.
Living Room
Designers: Robert Passal Interior Design in collaboration with Daniel Kahan Architecture
Inspired by tranquil and sophisticated Parisian salons, Robert Passal and Daniel Kahan designed the living room they titled Salon de Réflexion to combine a restrained and refined material palette with textural flourishes and subtle accents of washed pastels and natural hues. Plaster and marble provide classical details in this chic palette.
Rug: The Rug Establishment
Designers: Robert Passal Interior Design in collaboration with Daniel Kahan Architecture
Inspired by tranquil and sophisticated Parisian salons, Robert Passal and Daniel Kahan designed the living room they titled Salon de Réflexion to combine a restrained and refined material palette with textural flourishes and subtle accents of washed pastels and natural hues. Plaster and marble provide classical details in this chic palette.
Rug: The Rug Establishment
Studio
Designer: Young Huh
Young Huh’s artist loft, Young at Art, is a combination workroom and study that explores the mythology and allure of an artist’s studio. “It is our ode to creative people everywhere who would like a space of their own to write, paint, sculpt, design, dream,” the designer says.
The walls are covered in a large and multitextured collage by Fromental that was inspired by early works of Cubist artist Georges Braque. Ironware International’s three-tiered chandelier adds illumination to high ceilings featuring dramatic skylights.
Designer: Young Huh
Young Huh’s artist loft, Young at Art, is a combination workroom and study that explores the mythology and allure of an artist’s studio. “It is our ode to creative people everywhere who would like a space of their own to write, paint, sculpt, design, dream,” the designer says.
The walls are covered in a large and multitextured collage by Fromental that was inspired by early works of Cubist artist Georges Braque. Ironware International’s three-tiered chandelier adds illumination to high ceilings featuring dramatic skylights.
Sitting Room
Designer: Matthew Monroe Bees
Charleston, South Carolina, designer Matthew Monroe Bees designed his sitting room as a tribute to his city’s early tastemakers. Many of the ceramics, artworks, textiles and furnishings came from South Carolina. “Where other places restore dwellings to a certain time period, Charleston has led the charge in preserving history as it is found,” the designer says.
Carpet: Stark Carpet
Designer: Matthew Monroe Bees
Charleston, South Carolina, designer Matthew Monroe Bees designed his sitting room as a tribute to his city’s early tastemakers. Many of the ceramics, artworks, textiles and furnishings came from South Carolina. “Where other places restore dwellings to a certain time period, Charleston has led the charge in preserving history as it is found,” the designer says.
Carpet: Stark Carpet
Living Room
Designer: Sarah Bartholomew Design
Sarah Bartholomew’s living room is a personal, sophisticated editing of treasures for the woman of the house. The fluted plaster walls and hand-painted floor by NYC Decorative Arts create a soothing canvas for this haven, while minimal and collected pieces bring beauty into the interior.
Designer: Sarah Bartholomew Design
Sarah Bartholomew’s living room is a personal, sophisticated editing of treasures for the woman of the house. The fluted plaster walls and hand-painted floor by NYC Decorative Arts create a soothing canvas for this haven, while minimal and collected pieces bring beauty into the interior.
Garden
Designer: Delaney + Chin
The center of the garden space allows one to reflect upon the nature of fire with the bronze cast of a manzanita branch created by expert craftsman Antonio Sanchez. Ironworker Julia Helen Murray, who worked on the George Washington Bridge, created the fountains that contribute to the serene atmosphere.
Designer: Delaney + Chin
The center of the garden space allows one to reflect upon the nature of fire with the bronze cast of a manzanita branch created by expert craftsman Antonio Sanchez. Ironworker Julia Helen Murray, who worked on the George Washington Bridge, created the fountains that contribute to the serene atmosphere.
Black-and-white graphic patterns play off the garden’s floral forms, including different types of magnolia trees. Resin-coated ink brush scrolls and hand-painted plates also tie into the magnolia theme with their design.
Study
Designer: Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates
Although a library is sometimes referred to as a “gentleman’s study,” Birmingham, Michigan, designer Corey Damen Jenkins wanted this space to be from the perspective of a female homeowner. The wall panels and moldings are coated in a pale blush, while the bookcase interiors are wrapped in a rich grasscloth. The dramatic mural on the ceiling and the crystal-encrusted 1940s French chandelier evoke a piece of sparkling jewelry.
Designer: Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates
Although a library is sometimes referred to as a “gentleman’s study,” Birmingham, Michigan, designer Corey Damen Jenkins wanted this space to be from the perspective of a female homeowner. The wall panels and moldings are coated in a pale blush, while the bookcase interiors are wrapped in a rich grasscloth. The dramatic mural on the ceiling and the crystal-encrusted 1940s French chandelier evoke a piece of sparkling jewelry.
Master Bedroom
Designer: Charlotte Moss
This master bedroom is an escape for a couple with great wanderlust. It is meant to be filled with pieces they have collected on their travels. The hand-painted mural by Anne Harris is inspired by the designer’s palette of periwinkle tones, paisley and palm trees on the Nile River.
Rug: Obeetee; settee and stool: Century Furniture
Designer: Charlotte Moss
This master bedroom is an escape for a couple with great wanderlust. It is meant to be filled with pieces they have collected on their travels. The hand-painted mural by Anne Harris is inspired by the designer’s palette of periwinkle tones, paisley and palm trees on the Nile River.
Rug: Obeetee; settee and stool: Century Furniture
Sitting Room
Designer: Pappas Miron Design
Alexandra Pappas and Tatyana Miron’s inspiration for this room came directly from the home itself and its original terrazzo flooring and chimney surround. “Upon first seeing these elements, we were reminded of the great modern Italian interiors, which are created by a mix of periods and style, always resulting in unique flair,” Pappas says. “We used the deep coloring of the floor as a backdrop to create a handsome and luxurious sitting room, featuring rich teal velvet wall upholstery, Venetian plaster ceilings and a gorgeous antique carpet.”
Chandelier: Trans-Luxe; mirror: 145 Antiques
Designer: Pappas Miron Design
Alexandra Pappas and Tatyana Miron’s inspiration for this room came directly from the home itself and its original terrazzo flooring and chimney surround. “Upon first seeing these elements, we were reminded of the great modern Italian interiors, which are created by a mix of periods and style, always resulting in unique flair,” Pappas says. “We used the deep coloring of the floor as a backdrop to create a handsome and luxurious sitting room, featuring rich teal velvet wall upholstery, Venetian plaster ceilings and a gorgeous antique carpet.”
Chandelier: Trans-Luxe; mirror: 145 Antiques
Dining Room
Designer: Cullman & Kravis Associates
Dramatic midnight blue-lacquered walls with gold embellishments, plus contemporary art and eclectic culture, give this dining room an elegant vibe. The custom curved dining benches by Anthony Lawrence-Belfair play off the shape of the custom Stark area rug to draw guests to the center of the room and their eyes up to the custom bronze-and-Murano glass light fixture by Charles Burnand.
Designer: Cullman & Kravis Associates
Dramatic midnight blue-lacquered walls with gold embellishments, plus contemporary art and eclectic culture, give this dining room an elegant vibe. The custom curved dining benches by Anthony Lawrence-Belfair play off the shape of the custom Stark area rug to draw guests to the center of the room and their eyes up to the custom bronze-and-Murano glass light fixture by Charles Burnand.
Family Room
Designer: J Cohler Mason Design
“I wanted to give the room some touches of glam without going over the top,” says designer Jennifer Cohler Mason of this family room. To give it optimum appeal to family members and their guests, Mason ensured that there would be a combination of hard and soft detailing throughout.
The subtly painted walls provide the perfect backdrop for the family’s art collection and textured ceiling treatment from Holland & Sherry. The channeled back sofa and brass-and-onyx lighting fixture are from Todd Merrill.
See more from this year’s show house
More on Houzz
Read about other designer showcases
Find a local interior designer
Shop for home products
Designer: J Cohler Mason Design
“I wanted to give the room some touches of glam without going over the top,” says designer Jennifer Cohler Mason of this family room. To give it optimum appeal to family members and their guests, Mason ensured that there would be a combination of hard and soft detailing throughout.
The subtly painted walls provide the perfect backdrop for the family’s art collection and textured ceiling treatment from Holland & Sherry. The channeled back sofa and brass-and-onyx lighting fixture are from Todd Merrill.
See more from this year’s show house
More on Houzz
Read about other designer showcases
Find a local interior designer
Shop for home products
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Except for the first two (the palette and style of the first one is really beautiful and a very soothing room) these remind you of those designs that models wear down the runways and you scratch your head wondering who and where would anyone wear that?
Wow. All that color, texture, style. Too many attributes to single out one or two. Stunning!
Very interesting play off of an art studio, or an artist loft theme, I thought. As an artist, I appreciate the young designer's attempt to introduce the viewer to the inner workings of an artist's creative space and mind. Although the decor is eclectic and its sophisticated multicolored palette is quite stimulating, there are furnishings choices that manage to calm it down and bring balance to it. I like the end result which is a charming and enjoyable space... Raisa