Tips I learned from this year's Kips Bay Decorator Show House

I was able to walk the Kips Bay Decorator Show house for a few hours and took a lot of it mentally and in photos.  There is always something new to see for the first time and tones of inspiration to get from show houses.  This year there was a lot of interesting details too good to not share them.  When I looked at Thom Filicia's space the first thought I had was that he had set up his shop in the middle of Kips Bay Show house, although none the less beautiful.  His space (above) called "The Gallery" was a walkway between the dining room, living room, entrance and hallway and every piece of furniture in it belongs to one of Thom's many furniture lines.  The space had only two small walls of about 3 to 5 feet and two other even smaller ones.  Magically Thom made it feel like a room.  My conclusions of how he nailed it!

Painting the ceiling the same color as the walls not only make the space bigger by (blending the boundaries but at the same time it encloses it by making the space feel more like one whole space and giving the fifth wall (the ceiling) a more important roll.  The high gloss walls bring movement.   

A Light and airy chandelier instead of a closed one or a shaded one helps open up the space.  

A black painting brings depth to a small space.  The curtains help make the walls feel bigger.

Secure your runner in a stylish way.  By Charlotte Moss. 

Add a cool wallpaper to baseboard for a touch of whimsy.  By Charlotte Moss.

Wrinkle-looking curtains for kids rooms is a brilliant idea. Very appropriate and fun.  By Laura Bohn.

all images by Julie Yenicag for Belle Vivir

My favorite rooms at this year's Kips Bay Show House

There are many stunning rooms, if not all, in this year's Kips Bay show house but I have three favorite rooms that I can literally live in.  In last year's show house in the Hamptons, one of my favorite rooms also belonged to Rija Radhakrishnan, a designer who not many bloggers knew about and this year she again stunned me with a room she designed with a special client in mind.  Another one of my favorite rooms this year is also designed by a designer I had never heard of before.  Alexander Doherty's room "A Collector's Bedroom" was paneled in washed oak and the private collection of art display in the room is to die for.  I was completely smitten with the entire decor of the room that went from the pop of red in the Robsjohn Gibbings sideboard to the touches of brass and the spectacular selection of custom made furniture.  If you are not new to this blog, or if you are, you should know of my eternal love affair with sculptural furniture.  There is no easier way to go chic with your decor.   (personal note:  get some oak paneling even if they're fake)

1940's sunburst chandelier.

The Gentleman's Study designed by David Scott was breathtaking.  David played with contrast at its best.  The space was masculine but it could fit a lady's taste as well.  David told me he was inspired by his new book and also that he wanted to design a space like he would design it for himself.  And for me, I would say if you ask.  David's space also has oak paneling on one wall and Seagrass wallpaper on the other where the amazing Paul Evans bookcase is.  The bookcase is from Todd Merrill.  

Custom made omnibus chaise lounge by Vladimir Kagan Couture, the floor lamp is by Jacques Adnet.

George III writing desk

Kubrick console by Mauro Fabbro, moon wall sconces by Stephen Downes, the sculpture is by Paul Evans from Todd Merrill. The blue chair is by Jean Royer and is from Maison Gerard.  

David's book Outside The Box is one book I can't wait to buy.  The images are great and if you didn't know, David is a curator interior designer so I'm sure there is a lot he can teach to those who want to learn. 

Stunning!

"Le Bureau Prive" was a home office designed by Raji Radhakrishnan for her imaginary client who was none other than the chief curator of Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Raji blew up a painting she took from the Metropolitan Museum and used it in the back wall of the sofa.  A very traditional image but used in a very modern way exactly like a museum curator would want to live, I suppose.  The walls were treated with a Venetian plaster technique, remember what I said here?  Adore how the throw on the sofa makes it look as if it were upholstered in two different tones.  The desk chair is by Jules Leleu from Maison Gerard and the amazing sideboard and pyramid are by Laverne.  The photograph above the mantel was taken by Raji and then blown up.  She put it up on the wall the same way she did in last year's Hampton's show house.   

The red zig zag table, a reference to Albert Hadley, is by LeavittWeaver.  Hadley used this type of table in few of his projects, you can see here. 

The desk chair is by Jules Leleu from Maison Gerard.

Laverne bar cabinet and pyramid.

All photos by Julie Yenicag for Belle Vivir

Jamie Drake: The Library

This year the designers had the challenge of converting boxy modern rooms, usually without much or any architectural interest, into beautiful and interesting spaces.   They mainly accomplish this by covering almost each and every wall in either wallpaper, wood paneling or by utilizing a paint technique.  Jamie Drake covered the library in a beautiful sea foam green grass cloth wallpaper on one side of the room and wood paneling and built-ins, painted in the same kind of green, on the rest of the room.  Most of the furniture were kept in white, maybe to brighten up the space.  The ceiling was covered in a hammered silver paper that reflects light. 

The beautiful painting above the sofa is by Andy Harper and displays almost the same colors as the pillows. I have to say that this year the art throughout the show house is perfect.  The chair is by Julian Mayor. 

I love how Jamie installed mirror on the wall across the window by multiplying the stunning view.

photos by Julie Yenicag for Belle Vivir

Kips Bay Decorator Show House Part I

This year's Kips Bay Decorator Show House, as many of you all know by now, has moved to the West Side from the usual home or town house to a two duplex at The Aldyn Residences located on Riverside Boulevard between 62nd and 63th Streets.  I love this change especially because it's more true to a New York living style. 
I'm starting my cover of this year's Kips Bay Decorator Show House with the living room designed by Bunny Williams, Brian J. McCarthy and David Kleinberg  since it's a tribute to the late Albert Hadley.  As the three designers worked for Albert Hadley I couldn't expect nothing short of the fabulous as this room is.  I imagine it must  be a little hard to work jointly with equally talented people, everyone has an idea of their one, but they did it flawless and I think the mix of cosmopolitan furniture and scale of the room is exactly like something Mr. Hadley would've done himself. 

In love with this monkey side table (below) by Helene de Saint Lager

The hanging tapestry is by Le Corbusier.

A 6,000 foot duplex that has a private swimming pool on the 22nd floor surely will have some big column support here and there.  I love what they did with the one in this room, they did a black Venetian plaster finish which continued up to the ceiling making it almost disappear.  I imagine it disappears even more at nights.

All photos by Julia Yenicag for Belle Vivir

Kips Bay Decorator Show House

 First I want to thank you for your beautiful comments and sweet emails.  Soon, I hope, I can share with you what's been pulling me away from the computer and what's been bugging me.
You know that when an event involves show houses I cannot resist.  I had the honor of being invited to a press preview to this year's Kips Bay Decorator Show House and took a bunch of pictures for you to drool over.  Oh, you will.  I was amazed at what is to me the best Kips Bay house I've been to in years.  Every room is uber-sophisticated and stunning.  The show house opened yesterday to the public and everyone should go and pay a visit, it's truly amazing!
It blows my mind every time I see a beautiful cause translated into something, perhaps not equally as meaningful, but equally beautiful.  As I have learned from my studies of Kabbalah, every physical blessing is a simple reflection of something even more beautiful happening spiritually. 

The photo on top has no source what so ever.  If you happen to know please tell.