Hi There . .
The "Mansion on Madison" is a mere 26,190 square feet of history. This year the Kips Bay Show house resides, partially. Once the North Wing of the Villard House adjacent to the luxurious Palace Hotel, the New York Times noted "finally, the showplace (Kips Bay) deserves." Built in the early 1880s this year's designers, were given three floors to transform over an 8 week period. The hand selected designers, 22 in all included the likes of Vincente Wolf, Alexa Hampton and Martyn Lawrence Bullard (three favorites of mine who really made an impression when we met in 2011). With 16 foot ceilings, original paneling and limestone walls in which to create their magic, this year's designer house really blew me away with the shear size of it all.
Maggie and I could not be in NY without headed over to soak in every detail. While I wanted to take my own pics to capture some of the amazing details I found, no such luck, I pulled images from Lonny.com, Curbed.com, the Washington Post and the New York Times to show off this gorgeous space. Kips Bay remains open until May 29 so hurry - it's a must see. Unable to make it, let's take a tour then . . .
I am kicking off with a space designed by Carrier and Company, which was one of my favorites actually. Maybe it's the Calico paper . Maggie and I saw Rachel and Nick at ICFF and loved seeing her new line. Having used her amazing paper last year I was delighted to have "discovered her" at ICFF back in 2011. We have already lined up a meeting to see just how all these papers are made at their Brooklyn studio this summer . . cannot wait !
The panel molding was abundant and to die for in this space and throughout the entire show house, using antique mirror in the archway not only visually doubled the room size, it added the perfect touch of elegance, complimenting the amazing paper, fabrics and furnishings.
The amazing art by Natasha Law, Lilac Dress on Yellow is from Voltz Clarke.
Carrier and Company is lead by husband and wife duo Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller. The couple opened their own design firm in New York in 2005, now with a total of 30 years experience in the business. Some publications featuring their work include Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Vogue, Town and Country, W, The World of Interiors, and Traditional Home, with clients including Anna Wintour, Jason Wu, Bob Pittman, Catie and Donald Marron, Jay Fielden, and Jane Rosenthal. The duo also made AD's New Top 100 list in 2012!
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Alexa Hampton blew me away with her color combination of purple and green. This space was so inviting and "collected" which I feel every room should be. Layered and layered with texture, pattern, color and warmth, this space had many elements that I wanted to take home. The art was the perfect scale for the 16 foot walls and the added addition of $3.00 paper lanterns added that little bit of whimsy to bring the serious side down.
Alexa Hampton has received numerous awards amongst the design community, including being named to House Beautiful's Top Designer list, Elle Décor's A-list, and Architectural Digests's AD100. Additionally, Hampton serves on the board of trustees at the New York Landmarks Conservancy and the Institute for Classical Architecture, and the New York School of Interior Design. She has been featured as the only female member of the cast of "This Old House" as well as co-hosting PBS' "Find". Recently Hampton received an honorary PhD from Moore College of Art and Design, as well as being the first woman ever to receive the Design Icon Award at the World Market Center.
www.markhampton.com
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Ingrao, Inc. Need a piece for your mantle, how about bagging that completely and just making the entire mantel a sculpture. The design team of Ingrao entitled the room "Study in Contrast." Created by artist Ron Arad, My first question was how did they even get this in the room. Love or hate? It was pretty spectacular. Everything in the living space was on a grand scale, from the art, to the furnishings. The color palette was so clean, crisp and inviting. It was the perfect room for entertaining on a grand scale.
I especially loved the art piece by Mark Wilson entitled "Cosmic Energy" from his pendulum series. Love the scale and contrasting appeal from the neutrals of the room.
This Manhattan firm is lead by Tony Ingrao, partner Randy Kemper and architect Bryan Brown. Exquisite spaces that run the gamut from buttoned-up traditional to gleaming white modern. They have catered to the tastes of Donny Deutsch, Jack Welch and Howard Stern.
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Juan Montoya. I was most impressed with the scale of the pieces in this space, along with their placement. In particular the double sided sofa. This 16 foot serpentine sofa was made in 6 pieces and assembles in the room. He called the room "Untitled" because it "is an abstraction of what happens when the space dictates what you are to do with it." Twelve foot curtain panels and a custom 12 foot stainless steel desk. All the furnishings from the coffee table to the desk I consider sculpture with a function and I loved that ! The leather strapping on the natural fiber floor covering helped to define the spaces.
A Colombian native and graduate of New York's Parsons School of Design, Juan Montoya has been in the design business for almost 40 years, founding his own design firm in 1978. Also a member of the Interior Design Hall of Fame, he received the honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from Parsons School of Design, with his work coming to public attention in 1977.
www.juanmontoyadesign.com
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Young Huh. What she did with this tiny hallway and ladies restroom was simply beautiful from it's two upholstered walls to include a cozy storage bench, to the metallic papered ceiling, amazing collection of tile, and lacquered trim. I loved the detail to the doors, a variation of the chevron pattern and one-of-a-kind pieces. Young Huh's attention to detail is impeccable. From historic to contemporary Young's interiors reflect her love for art and artisans, materials and textures. Her look is timeless.
Just off the hallway space, a gorgeous red lacquer bath with a variety of tile patterns and shapes. Simple yet rich and elegant.
A native of Detroit, Young was an English major at Smith College receiving a law degree from Fordham Law School. After pursuing further education and an internship in interior design she concluded that was her true calling. She founded her firm in 2007. "Equally important to having great creative instincts, my legal training has reinforced a strong work ethic, attention to detail and an ability to see every transaction from different angles."
Based in New York City, she works across the country and abroad, she strives to bring a global point of view to her work.
www.younghuh.com
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Based in New York City, she works across the country and abroad, she strives to bring a global point of view to her work.
www.younghuh.com
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Martyn Lawrence Bullard. A man that always makes a grand entrance, did so as well with his entry foyer design. At first glance I thought now that's a lot of gorgeous marble, but with a closer look realized it was his paper collaboration with F. Schumacher, a book we received no to long ago, samples of which are all over my big wall. Complimenting the striking checkerboard floor intricate paneling filled with three different papers.
Warming up the cool greys, tufted ottoman, warm lighting and amazing art. The perfect introduction to this year's show house.
Bullard has consistently been featured on Elle Décor's A-List, named as one of Architectural Digest's Top 100 and the Hollywood Reporter Top 25 interior designers, as well as joining the Luxe Interiors + Design Gold List in 2012. Although largely recognized stateside for being one of Bravo TV's Million Dollar Decorators, he has a new show (Hollywood Me) that airs in the UK and has won the National Reality TV award for Best Self-Improvement/Makeover Show recently. Some of his clients include celebrities such as Cher, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, Ellen Pompeo, and Tommy Hilfiger. He has been featured in over 4,000 publications around the world, as well as publishing his book, Live, Love, & Decorate.
www.martynlawrencebullard.com
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William Georgis. The first thing I noticed leaving Bullard's foyer and entering William Georgis' sitting room was the spectacular walls and amazing art, but sculptures and hanging. The mix of seemingly traditional with almost a Roman Catholic feel to the space, paired with a very modern, abstract and simplistic art piece, to me, rang a symbolic, crucifying bell. Later reading up on Georgis, I learned of his fascination with religious iconology. I read, he chose to create this space for Francis Cardinal Spellman, a controversial Archbishop of New York from 1939 until his death in 1967, in part because the two windows in his room face the back of Saint Patrick's Cathedral on 5th Avenue. He calls this space "Study in Red," and the rich combinations of burgundy, blood, and Chinese red are off set so beautifully with the peacock blue sofas. Gorgeous ! The art by Piotr Uklanski, entitled "First Stroke" and the "legs" of the console table designed by Williams himself lighten the mood and takes it from pure traditional to that level of a designer's touch. Take a look.
Establishing his New York-based architecture and design firm in 1992, William T. Georgis has been named to Architectural Digest's AD 100 list a total of 4 times (1999, 2007, 2009, & 2012). Before starting his own business, Georgis was an architect in Philadelphia from 1984-1992, therefore being in the business for thirty years. His work has been featured in the National Academy of Design at Columbia University, as well as his permanent collections at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NY), and the Denver Art Museum (Colorado). Additionally, he designed the Roger Troy Peterson Institute (Jamestown, NY).
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Darryl Carter. A major career milestone for Darryl Carter, unveiling his first room at Kips Bay. This space, with it's shades of white, off whites and neutrals, felt livable and easy. I felt I could kick back and just read in this space. As with each room, the moldings and high ceiling are what captured me. I loved the well placed day bed and simple lines. This space has longevity.
Darryl Carter established his own design firm in 1998. Since then, the native Washingtonian has written two design books and created a paint line for Benjamin Moore. He believes (as do I) that no two people are exactly the same neither should any two environments be the same.
www.darrylcarter.com
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www.darrylcarter.com
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Meyer Davis. This third floor corridor is a virtual gallery showcasing the works of Dustin Yellin, Rich Brilliant Willing, Lindsey Adelman and Jason Miller of Roll & Hill all collected by Meyer Davis Studio, Inc. You may have seen their work on such commercial projects as the Paramount in NYC and all the Oscar de la Renta boutiques worldwide.
Dustin Yellin was among the artists that made this stairwell and landing a virtual gallery. This founder and director of the Pioneer Works (an art center in Red Hook Brooklyn built in 2011 with $3.7 million invested much of which from his own pocket), displays his creative in the hallway at Kips Bay.
His pieces are truly amazing. Maggie and I wandered in Opera Gallery in Soho earlier and happened upon a piece of his. Layers of thick glass with collage like images encased and all sandwiched together. Crazy cool.
His pieces are truly amazing. Maggie and I wandered in Opera Gallery in Soho earlier and happened upon a piece of his. Layers of thick glass with collage like images encased and all sandwiched together. Crazy cool.
The New York-based Meyer Davis Studio Inc. was founded in 1999 by Will Meyer and Gray Davis. The firms work has been featured in publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, and Elle Decor. Meyer Davis has worked on restaurants including Harlow (Interior Design Magazine Best of Year Award winner), the Dutch and Lure Fishbar (Miami), King & Duke and St. Cecelia (Atlanta), and the Loews Regency Bar & Grill.
John Douglas Eason. While I have "retired" my husband from all the faux finishing work he did for Lucy and Company back in the early days, allowing him to work on a much smaller scale, these horizontal stairwell stripes might have landed me in the dog house, but we have been know to tackle them. These days with the endless and gorgeous wall paper options I would choose to paper rather than paint and in this massive stairwell but Mr. Eason went all out with a custom hand-painted treatment by Christianson Lee Studios. The colors were the perfect complement to the limestone walls, large art and black ceiling.
Eason has been in the business for 25 years, having started his journey with a large firm in Greenwich, CT. Now located in Manhattan his style is a fabulous eclectic mix, very comfortable and easy to live.
www.johndouglaseason.com
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www.johndouglaseason.com
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Matthew Quinn. I was dying over this kitchen. It was perfection. Not to sterile, not too modern not to uniform, the perfect mix of function and warmth. Each bank of highly functional cabinetry had it's own unique details. This space also gave you a clear view of Saint Pat's and the quadrifoil fret work resembled the window detail across the street. I also loved the organ pipes used as a "window treatment" which allowed a little detail, yet let all the gorgeous views and light to come in. Of course all the high end appliances and surfaces were exquisite, but it was the little things I loved about this space. The herringbone pattern floor, the counter to ceiling tile work, the lighting, the brushed brass detail and the soft, comfortable window seating. Gorgeous. How Matthew Quinn pulled this off in 8 weeks is nothing short of amazing !
A few notes . . the estimated retail price of this kitchen $418,000.00 and all the details are right here
Atlanta-based Matthew Quinn specializes in kitchen and bath design, and has been featured in publications including Architectural Digest. He has received several national awards for design, such as first place in the National Sub Zero/Wolf Kitchen Design Competition.
www.matthewquinncollection.com
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Villalobos Desio. Cork and metallic Phillip Jeffries paper and the beautiful inlaid floors of this space where what first caught my eye. Designers Mercedes Desio and Alberto Villalobos are international designers and taste makers based in New York whose approach is to tell a story creating discreet, luxurious environments. I loved this tiny space. It was definitely memorable.
Studied at the New York School of Interior Design where, after obtaining their degrees, they decided to open their design firm as well as their antiques boutique ETOS in Manhattan. Alberto, whose nationality is Colombian and Mercedes who is Italian wanted to combine the eclectic and international senses of aesthetic acquired from their diverse cultural backgrounds, travels and educations.
www.villalobosdesio.com
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www.villalobosdesio.com
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Vincente Wolf. He's a charmer. We met once in the opening of the new Baccarat showroom. Having read his book I get the sense of his classic taste with a dose of drama. This room seemed that way as well with it's lacquered red walls and unique banquet. It was so inviting.
New York City-based Vincente Wolf has been in the business for over 30 years. He has designed for spaces worldwide, with countries including the United States, Saudi Arabia, France, Japan, Israel, and Sweden. Named one of the 10 most influential U.S. designers by House Beautiful magazine, Wolf has also been inducted into Interior Design Magazine's Designer Hall of Fame. Some other accolades include being chosen for both Architectural Digest's "AD 100" Metropolitan Home's "Design 100." Wolf has additionally published three books: Learning to See, Lifting the Curtain on Design, and Crossing Boundaries: A Global Vision of Design.
www.vicentewolf.com
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www.vicentewolf.com
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Orlando Diaz-Azcuy Design Associates. Wondering where this firms design inspiration came from? The blue light in the ceiling that could not be removed or manipulated in any way. The challenge - to work with that. I think they pulled it off. These San Francisco based designers have a strong background in architecture and art and created a space reflecting that. With their large black and white panels they chose to highlight the dialogue between old and new.
ODADA (Orlando Diaz-Azcuy Design Associates) was founded in 1987 by Orlando Diza-Azcuy, later joined by the other two principals, Greg Stewart and David Toddy Oldroyd. With a total of just under forty years in the business, ODADA has been featured in publications worldwide such as Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, The New York Times, Veranda, Interiors, Elle Décor, Interior Design, Maison Française, and Objekt. Diaz-Azcuy also released a self-titled book in 2009.
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Cullman and Kravis. Ellie Cullan chose rose-gold as her focal for this amazing bedroom. While in the City at ICFF and various galleries and shops, Maggie and I noticed just what a presence rose gold had, at least we noticed it and then it started appearing wherever we were ! It made a huge appearance at ICFF and this room was right on trend. The theme of the room is "Some Like It Hot," an affectionate reference to the iconic movie of the same name. She claimed she wanted the room to be young, exciting, sexy and warm. Rose-gold leafed walls, peacock lacquered four-poster bed and an eclectic mix of antiques. Provocative artwork and artful abstracts fill the space and those additions (along with the bed) take this serious room to a level of perfection ! I love this space.
Since 1984 Cullman & Kravis has aimed to make no two spaces the same. The "Modern Traditional"aesthetic. The goal of their recent work is to redefine the traditional interior. With two books and a fabric line with Holland & Sherry. Interesting fun fact - Ellie Cullman's family owns the renowned Peter Luger steak house in Brooklyn. Listed in the definitive "AD100" and was the recipient of the "Stars of Design" award at NYC's D&D building.
www.cullmankravis.com
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Christopher Peacock. Lady Penelope's Dressing Room, a.k.a. Barbie's Dream Dressing Room. Lacquered pink and Vintage Pucci resides. They let us touch the shoes . . . it was bubble gum pink fab.
Based in Connecticut, Christopher Peacock has been in the business for two decades. His exclusively U.S. based company has showrooms nationwide in cities such as Greenwich (CT), San Francisco, Boston, and Chicago. He specializes in fitted furniture, interior paint products and spectacular hardware. Every room of cabinetry is made to order and specifically detailed for the individual client using the finest materials. His team of craftsmen fashion raw timbers into cabinetry suited for every room in the home. From kitchens to libraries to amazing baths and closets. He remains the benchmark of taste and understated elegance.
www.peacockhome.com
www.peacockhome.com
Markham Roberts. This space reminded me of my living room with it's peacock walls. The layers and layers of art and pattern just continued to make it better and better. Perfect office off a beautiful living space. I might get distracted though, looking down on those Manhattan streets.
Markham Roberts is known for his ability to work in any design vernacular bringing a fresh approach to classic design. Born in Indianapolis he attended Culver Military Academy and Northfield Mount Hermon School before graduating from Brown University with Honors in the History of Art and Architecture. After moving to NY he began working with legendary designer Mark Hampton where he trained for six years. He lectures on design around the country. His fine art photography has been exhibited in New York and Indianapolis. He has been featured in AD, Domino, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Southern Accents, Town & Country and House & Garden
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Kirsten Kelli. An eclectic space filled with touches of glimmering gold and one of my favorite Phillip Jeffries papers (Shari Grams... see take note) I loved the unexpected art, the coral side tables, and simple fireplace.
Kirsten Fitzgibbons and Kelli Ford opened the doors of their firm in 1990. Two sisters who hit the ground running as artistic collaborators. With a love of contemporary and classical elements they create livable spaces with aesthetic beauty and a sense of the unexpected.
www.kirstenkelli.com
Gideon Mendelson. Peacock was the hot color at Kips Bay 2014. This space had suede covered wall paper and blond wood paneling. I love the light fixtures especially as well as the art and detailed ceiling. The mid century vibe in this space has given me a few inspirations for an upcoming install of my own . . . cannot wait.
Established in 2003 by Gideon Mendelson, the Mendelson Group has worked on several projects across the United States, ranging from Manhattan/Westchester to the Hamptons to Miami. The New York City-based firms principal Mendelson received a degree in Architecture from the New York School of Interior Design.
Well there you have it - Kips Bay 2014. It was fabulous.
ALL photo credits to the Washington Post, New York Times, AD. My thanks to them all.
