Tag: Decorator’s show Houses

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
 

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

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.

photos by Julie Yenicag for Belle Vivir

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

 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
The living room done by Carrier and Company had a very subtle and delicate linen technique.
 

Up until a couple of years ago the word “paint technique” would make many, including myself, freak out!.  The first thought coming to mind would’ve been that weary sponge paint technique of the 90’s that was just eekie-cheapi-looking… Now wall paint technique have refined itself to the limit.  Most of the designer showhouses I’ve visited lately have had many walls covered in these new and exquisite techniques.  The latest was Designer Visions Showhouse 2011 where basically all three apartments had two or more rooms covered with Ralph Lauren’s paint techniques which offer a range of finishes from Natural Linen to Antiqued Leather.  My favorite finishes so far are Natural Linen and Venetian Plaster.  Now this last one may not appeal to everyone but I think that in modern apartments where architectural details are lacking, this would add interest and character.

 The living room done by Carrier and Company had a very subtle and delicate linen technique. 

In the den, Carrier and Company applied another linen technique in an orange tone where you can appreciate the effect better.  Below, a closer look.

This decorative paint done on the entryway of this year’s Designer Visions Showhouse is Venetian Plaster and was done by Ricardo Brizola.  The same technique, below, was done on the hallway walls of Elle Decor Modern Concept home this year. 

images via House Beautiful, Casa Diseno,

As a blogger I get invited to many events, unfortunately I either like too much to be at home and get to be with my family or sometimes those events are inconveniently during week days after work and I just can’t make it.  But, there is one kind of event I will not miss and that’s the one showcasing designers designs where I get to experience firsthand top quality design.  So on Wednesday I went to the opening night of Designers Visions Cinema Style and all I can say is that if you live in the City or anywhere close go and experience these apartments yourself.  You’ll feel enveloped with luxury details and textiles, exquisite American craftsmanship and the excellent job the architects did remodeling these Pre-War apartments.  The bathrooms are stunning and there is one in particular designed by S. Russell Groves where I had a special a La Grange moment.  I loved it so much I didn’t even want to leave until people started passing by and sending signs that we were taking too much time.  The three designers asked to participate this year were Heather Moore of Jed Johnson Associates for House Beautiful (you can see the entire spread in the current issue of the magazine), Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller of Carrier and Company for Town and Country; and Thomas O’Brien of Aero Studio for Veranda.  The apartments will be open for public tour on October 9th, October 15th and 16th from 11AM to 4Pm.  Tickets will benefit The Art of Elysium.