Decorating Guides
Rooms Delight at 2012 Kips Bay Decorator Show House
Bewitching colors and high-end touches wowed in Apartment 2102 of this year's showcase on Manhattan's Upper West Side
From the calm oasis of a blue, green and white family room to a "Black, White, and Red All Over" bedroom to a lounge with an indoor swing, Apartment 2102 at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House (one of two apartments in the showcase) was full of surprises. Come on along as we start our tour in the warm and welcoming foyer.
See Apartment 2101
See Apartment 2101
Timothy Miller named his design for the foyer of Apartment 2102 "Making an Entrance," for obvious reasons, but also because this is his first time working with the show house. He extended the foyer up the staircase to give people a sense of flow and connection to the rest of the living spaces.
To the right of the entry, the Hudson River is visible through a wall of windows, and it had a direct influence on Susan Zises Green's design for the living room. "The outdoors and the water inspired all of the color choices," she says. "And the light is intoxicating."
The living room flows into the dining room, which Patrik Lönn imagined as a contemporary room for supper. He was inspired by the Swedish furniture designer Carl Malmsten.
The table is set with items from Hermès.
The table is set with items from Hermès.
James Rixner designed an open family room and kitchen area. He notes that the inspiration for his design started with the Nocturne area rug from Orley Shabahang. Greens — in the grass cloth and the metallic-glazed linen draperies by Osborne and Little — are a soothing contrast with the white leather furniture.
The kitchen is completely open to the family room and has a similar color palette. The white counters relate to the adjoining room's white leather furniture.
A door from the kitchen leads out to a 3,000-square-foot terrace, designed by Gunn Landscape Architecture and Vert Gardens, that has views looking west and south. "I love the simplicity of the aesthetic of a boccie court, and it also serves as a fun and social gathering spot," says Alec Gunn.
This writing room "is a painted fantasy," says Chuck Fischer, who is an artist and muralist. It was inspired by the chinoiserie paintings of 19th-century artist and designer Jean-Baptiste Pillement. The 1950s lamp is from Alan Moss.
The window is framed by a trompe l'oeil valance that surrounds a Hunter Douglas shade.
The "Black, White, and Red All Over" bedroom, by Charles Pavarini, features butterflies that "represent the children of the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club and their emergence as fully developed individuals flying out into the world."
Bed: custom, Pavarini; bedside table lamps: Modulightor; bed linens: custom, Casa del Bianco; mirror: Mirrors by Jordan
Bed: custom, Pavarini; bedside table lamps: Modulightor; bed linens: custom, Casa del Bianco; mirror: Mirrors by Jordan
A corner of Pavarini's bedroom features a classic Valentine Sofa by actor-turned-interior-designer William Haines that's available through Profiles. The ebonized walnut dresser is from Craig Van Den Brulle.
An interactive wall composed of organic LEDs — it senses your body as you approach it — is at the entry to Pavarini's bedroom. "Lighting in the next decade is going to take a great turn," he says. "There will be fabrics and wall coverings that will be lit. You won't be turning on a lamp; you'll be turning on a lampshade."
An indoor swing with a view of the Hudson River is not something you see every day. Shawn Henderson definitely had some fun putting together this lounge.
The chaise is Henderson's design.
The chaise is Henderson's design.
This "Extra Sensory Child's Room" by Laura Bohn has a space-saving unit from Resource Furniture that converts from a desk into a twin bed — perfect for a city apartment. The walls are painted Bohn's signature high-gloss chartreuse from Benjamin Moore.
Round shag rug: Edward Fields
Round shag rug: Edward Fields
Upstairs the master bedroom was designed by Etienne Coffinier and Ed Ku of Coffinier Ku Design. They were inspired by a new collection of fabrics for Missoni Home at Stark. The bed has a headboard trimmed with white leather and a velvet Missoni Home chevron in the center.
Above the bed, Coffinier and Ku designed a piece of artwork "based on Japanese clouds, to give a sense of peace as you get into bed," Ku says.
Lamps: glass cylinders, Blanche Field
Above the bed, Coffinier and Ku designed a piece of artwork "based on Japanese clouds, to give a sense of peace as you get into bed," Ku says.
Lamps: glass cylinders, Blanche Field
This corner of the master bedroom has armchairs designed by Coffinier and Ku that are upholstered in a striped Missoni fabric "that has a waterfall effect with the chair cushion," notes the company's description. They also designed the high-gloss walnut and orange lacquer audio-visual cabinet.
"We really played with nature," Ku says. In addition to the clouds above the bed, there's a sheep in the style of artist Francois Xavier Lalanne from Demisch Danant and carved wooden mushrooms from Lars Bolander.
"We really played with nature," Ku says. In addition to the clouds above the bed, there's a sheep in the style of artist Francois Xavier Lalanne from Demisch Danant and carved wooden mushrooms from Lars Bolander.
Designer Alexander Doherty's belief that real people live in real rooms was the jumping-off point for his "Collector's Bedroom." He created the room for someone he's known for years who is a collector of artwork by English and American painters from the 1950s and '60s.
Daybed: fabricated and upholstered by Zelaya Interiors; daybed pillows and linen/silk fabric: de Le Cuona; artwork: all from private collections
Daybed: fabricated and upholstered by Zelaya Interiors; daybed pillows and linen/silk fabric: de Le Cuona; artwork: all from private collections
"The Cabana," by Scott Sanders, offers a refreshingly bright burst of color. His choice of the grass-cloth covering on the walls is all about bringing the outdoors in. It's called Split Pea, and it's by Philip Jeffries.
More eye-popping designs from the event:
Two Apartments Enthrall at 2012 Kips Bay Show House
More eye-popping designs from the event:
Two Apartments Enthrall at 2012 Kips Bay Show House