Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2011: Wayne Nathan

One of the most fun rooms in the 2011 Kips Bay Decorator Show House is the foyer and staircase and landing designed by Wayne Nathan.  The pops of color and wall art created with electrical tape by Brooklyn street artist Aakash Nihalani create a contemporary art gallery feeling.  The designre said, "It's about curating a room rather than decorating it." I know this look won't be for everyone but would look great translated into a kid's room. It was definitely a cheerful place to be on the rainy day that I visted the house and sometimes that's the best part of design.

Photos byHeather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2011: Kemble Interiors

One of my favorite rooms in the 2011 Kips Bay Decorator Show House was designed by Celerie Kemble and her team at Kemble Interiors.  Due to the historic significance of the home, many of the designers were required to work around certain features and that included the wood paneling in the library. With a little magic and lots of light colors, the dark and masculine room was transformed into a woman's library, "a sanctum for a siren." The shelves are filled with books on fashion, poetry and contemporary literature and there are plenty of places to sit and read or chat with friends. Since the walls could not be touched, the team focused on adorning "the ceiling, floors, windows, furniture, and bookcases with every trick of their craft to add glimmer and put a little switch in its skirts."  Artist Miriam Ellner created the amazing ceiling of gold leaf and other metals on the reverse side of glass, verre eglomise, to create a "Chinoiserie inspired skyscape fantasy."   A room this size filled with so many special pieces could have look cluttered but instead your eye is drawn around the room as it slowly unveils itself.  I could have spent all day in this room which in my mind makes it a huge success.

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic except for #1, 5, 10, 14, 16 and 23 courtesy of Kemble Interiors

Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2011: Mary McDonald

Los Angeles based interior designer Mary McDonald created a big impact in the tiny entrance area at the 2011 Kips Bay Decorator Show House.  She was inspired by Annabel's, a private members' restaurant and nightclub on Berkeley Square in London where "drama meets classical decor." The bold feminine lipstick red wallcovering plays off the masculine charcoal grey fabrics and black accents in the room.  I especially love the brass mirror, light fixtures, candle sticks and console that perfectly play off all of these colors.  This room made a great first impression and definitely set the tone for the rest of the house.

All photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic except for #5 which is courtesy of Mary McDonald

Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2011

I had the pleasure of visiting the 2011 Kips Bay Decorator Show House this morning and can't wait to share all my photos.  The former residence of John Hay "Jock" Whitney is a bit smaller in scale than some previous houses but as is usually the case, big things come in small packages.  There are a lot of intimate little jewel box rooms as well as a few fabulous large scale spaces that are all full of wonderful design details and fabulous colors.  It's a shame that the Design Investors Conference was scheduled for the same time which meant that many designers were available to speak with personally about their rooms.  But as I've said before, a picture is worth a thousand words! 

Kips Bay Decorator Show House

163 East 63rd Street

New York, NY 10065

April 28 - May 26, 2011

Monday - Saturday 11:00am - 5:00pm

Sunday 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Admission: $30

2011 Kips Bay Decorator Show House Designers Announced

The list of designers for the 2011 Kips Bay Decorator Show House were just announced and it's a fabulous list!  I cannot wait to see what this talented group has up their chic sleeves for their rooms.  Congratulations everyone!  See you in April!

Amanda Nisbet Design - Master Bedroom

Aurelien Gallet

Barbara Ostrom Associates

Bilotta Kitchens of New York

Brad Ford
Campion Platt Architect, PC

Cayley Barrett Associates, Ltd. - Dressing Room

Greener by Design
Gunn Landscapes

Harry Heissmann Inc.

Jamie Herzlinger
Jeff Lincoln

Celerie Kemble
Mary McDonald
Matthew Patrick Smyth - Dining Room

Richard Mishaan Design

Robert Stillin LLC
Stephen Fanuka
TK Theatres/Audio Command Systems
Wayne Nathan Studio

Kips Bay Decorator Show House

163 East 63rd Street

New York, NY 10065

Open to the Public April 28 - May 26, 2011

Tickets $30

Black Tie President’s Preview and Dinner – Thursday, April 21

Opening Night Cocktails – Wednesday, April 27

For ticket sales and information, please call (718) 893-8600 ext 245

Or visit: http://www.kipsbay.org

Photo by moi of 2010 Kips Bay Decorator Show House dining room designed by Cullman Kravis

Mark Your Calendar: Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dates

The Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club announced today that the 39th Annual Decorator Show House will take place April 28 - May 26, 2011. It will take up residence in an striking, neo-Federalist style mansion at 163 East 63rd Street. The four story home was once owned by John Hay "Jock" Whitney and boasts unique historic details acquired during his travels abroad. I've walked by this home many times and always wondered what it looked like inside so I'm very excited for this year's show house.  No word yet on which interior designers have been chosen to decorate the 16 room house but I will definitely keep you posted!

Kips Bay Decorator Show House

163 East 63rd Street

New York, NY 10065

Open to the Public April 28 - May 26, 2011

Tickets $30

Black Tie President’s Preview and Dinner – Thursday, April 21

Opening Night Cocktails – Wednesday, April 27

For ticket sales and information, please call (718) 893-8600 ext 245

Or visit: www.kipsbay.org