The 49th Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York unveils its wow-worthy interiors May 2. This year’s rooms run the gamut from maximalist to traditional, but regardless of style, they all showcase the incredible talent of the designers behind them. Here, we spotlight 10 uniquely layered spaces that embrace color, texture and pattern at the Upper East Side townhouse.
10 Kips Bay New York Rooms With Bold Designs
Punchy Patterns
“On A Clear Day” is dedicated to all the strong, inspiring women in Patrick Mele‘s life. The beautifully blue design of the bedroom stands out with its pattern play. The vibrant floral print found on the carpet also makes its way to the canopy bed’s curtains. Side tables, lamps, and other accessories in varying blue hues tie the space together.
Extravagant All The Way
Sleek lines and clean silhouettes set a sophisticated backdrop for the luxurious artwork and vibrant details in this living room by Aman & Meeks. In “A Tailored Edge,” luxe accents were carefully chosen to enrich the space, from the mauve fabrics to the crystal-esque ottoman. Pearls play up the opulence in the room’s recessed center, filled with a textural art piece.
Collectible Art Takes Center Stage
An attic bedroom tucked away inside a French countryside chateau—that’s the nostalgic brief Benjamin Vandiver strove to elicit in this bedroom design dubbed “The Virtue of Curiosity.” Driven by an interest in the decorative arts, Vandiver combines seemingly disparate styles to craft a harmonious space. Tchotchkes and ceramics fill the space with drama, each waiting to be discovered as one explores the room.
What’s Old Is New Again
The storied history of the Blair House, the official residence of visiting dignitaries to the United States, inspires this Kips Bay sitting room. In “Old Guard/Avant-Garde,” McMillen Inc. takes a mildly mischievous approach. Combining the nixed ideas of their founder, Eleanor McMillen Brown and former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (the pair worked together on the original design for the Blair House’s drawing room as part of a 1964 restoration), the team crafted a color-centric space that nods to its historic origins. The star of the room is certainly the Charles R. Gracie & Sons reproduced 18th century wallpaper, a deeply avant-garde interpretation of the original. “The flowers, fauna, birds, and the ‘heavenly green/blue background’ of Gracie’s wallpaper envelop our room and everything in it, and is proof that the most ‘avant-garde’ furnishings available in New York City in 2024 can’t look any better than they do against a background like this,” shares Ann Pyne, President of McMillen Inc.
Modern Sanctuary
Nestled within the home’s primary suite, “Le Fumoir Féminin” by Workshop/APD was imagined as an intimate respite. Fromental wallpaper in earthy tones with a feminine feel envelopes the ceiling. Curving wall panels give the room an element of seclusion. From the Marc Phillips rug to the orangey-red sofa, tactile experiences abound.
Out Of This World
Awash in color, Swati Goorha‘s staircase design is the ultimate ethereal experience. In “Metamorphosis: A Journey Of Transformation,” LED lights sparkle like stars as they float above the walkway. Richly colored rugs line the stairs. The elemental combination of light and color encourages visitors to embrace the cornerstone of Goorha’s intention—transformation.
Time To Wine Down
Beth Diana Smith crafts a room in which to enjoy life’s little pleasures in “The Wine Lounge.” Kravet’s Oyster Shell wallpaper adds texture to the walls, and the mustard-yellow banquette seating pops against its pattern. The purple floral rug provides another pop of color in the space. All in all, it’s a study in sophisticated drama.
An Homage To The English Intellectuals
In “A Dining Room of One’s Own,” Kit Kemp Design Studio embraces classically English furnishings amidst a colorful backdrop. The room’s focal point was inspired by the Bloomsbury Group, an unconventional group of English writers, intellectuals, philosophers and artists who gathered in Sussex at Charleston House which they decorated and painted intricately. An artist working in the same area today, Tess Newall, was commissioned to create the hand painted mural around the François & Co. fireplace. The stately space embraces eclecticism through its vibrant colors and thoughtful prints.
An Indoor Jungle Of Sorts
The fantasy fun spirit of this entertaining room is apparent from the top down. “The Game Room” by Barbara Ostrom has many a standout feature, not least of which is the flying cranes joyfully soar across the ceiling, painted by Andrew Tedesco. From the leopard print chair to the elephant planter, this room’s eclectic opulence arises from its tongue-in-cheek, playful design choices.
Going To New Heights
Philip Thomas discovered a fabric inspired by the Andes Mountain Range while in Paris for Paris Déco Off. He knew immediately that it would serve as the foundation for his work at Kips Bay Decorator Show House this year. His colorful salon, dubbed “The Andes Club,” is an homage to childhood memories of his parents’ gatherings with friends that the family referred to under the same name. Ranging from vintage to contemporary, the room’s furniture and art showcase the rich history and colors of Latin America.
PHOTOS: NICKOLAS SARGENT
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