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Christmas
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Over-the-Top Sophistication in a Holiday Show House
Decadently designed rooms for all seasons and purposes create showstopping displays in a Manhattan mansion
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A larger-than-life photo mural, a courtyard gazebo made of colored string and DNA-inspired wallpaper in a vibrant study are just a few of the special designer touches on display at this year's NYC Holiday House. Now in its fifth year, the Holiday House Designer Showcase, benefiting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, displays the work of 25 top designers from around the country.
This year the designers transformed a historic limestone mansion in Manhattan into a striking holiday display. It's open from October 25 through November 18, 2012, but if you can't see it in person, take inspiration from our coverage here, with creative ideas on how to elevate tabletops, bring the reindeer out to play and use natural materials to give your home some holiday sparkle.
Location: 2 East 63rd St., New York City
Hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday until 8 p.m.
Cost: $30 general admission
This year the designers transformed a historic limestone mansion in Manhattan into a striking holiday display. It's open from October 25 through November 18, 2012, but if you can't see it in person, take inspiration from our coverage here, with creative ideas on how to elevate tabletops, bring the reindeer out to play and use natural materials to give your home some holiday sparkle.
Location: 2 East 63rd St., New York City
Hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday until 8 p.m.
Cost: $30 general admission
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| Remembrance of Things Past Design team: Geoffrey Bradfield (This photo and next) Inspired by Marcel Proust's Remembrance of Things Past and a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era, this black and white living room set against the backdrop of a custom photo mural celebrates both past and present. Plush white seating with velvety damask detailing gives an elegant nod to a white winter on its way. |
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| Seasons of Joy Design team: Lee Najman Designs Inspired by the Jewish Sukkot holiday, for which a structure built around a festive gathering symbols the enveloping of the spirit, Lee Najman and Edward Chou wanted to instill a sense of wonder as people enter the courtyard. Different-colored string and corner lights that can be changed to any color (blue in this photograph) welcome guests to partake in the spirit of giving to a great cause. |
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Earth Day
Design team: Archives ID
(This photo and next)
The designers at Archives ID transformed the stairwell into an innovative green space inspired by the metamorphosis of a seed. A translucent photo of nature plays off geometric containers of plant varieties that bring freshness to an otherwise forgotten space.
Design team: Archives ID
(This photo and next)
The designers at Archives ID transformed the stairwell into an innovative green space inspired by the metamorphosis of a seed. A translucent photo of nature plays off geometric containers of plant varieties that bring freshness to an otherwise forgotten space.
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Air plants and succulents create a simple indoor garden, while a Moravian star pendant lamp shines overhead for subtle seasonal sparkle.
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| A Holiday Luncheon and Gift Exchange Hosted by a Modern-Day Marie Antoinette Design team: Huntley & Co. Interior Design (This photo and next two) The concept of a modern-day Marie Antoinette inspired the mix of traditional and romantic in this contemporary dining room. The goal was to create a dramatic but welcoming setting in which to gather friends for one of the centerpiece events of the season — the holiday meal. |
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Carnavale
Design team: Inson Dubois Wood
(This photo and next)
As an ode to the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen, photographer Steven Klein and Venice's Carnavale, this dramatic room features a mix of high and low elements, including pieces by Hermès and Lladro. A striking art piece anchors the mantel, drawing the eye to the ceiling detail set in a regal holiday color scheme.
Design team: Inson Dubois Wood
(This photo and next)
As an ode to the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen, photographer Steven Klein and Venice's Carnavale, this dramatic room features a mix of high and low elements, including pieces by Hermès and Lladro. A striking art piece anchors the mantel, drawing the eye to the ceiling detail set in a regal holiday color scheme.
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| Father's Day Designer: Ally Coulter (This photo and next) Inspired by a modern update of an old English gentleman's club, Ally Coulter combined black leather, suede and rosewood to create a living space filled with masculine detail. The layering of steel and nickel with cream tones adds subtle sparkle. |
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Valentine's Day
Design team: Brett Design
This room is meant to be a Valentine's Day respite, a place to go alone or with your loved one to relax, clear your mind and de-stress. The room features Brett Design's exquisite wallpaper and custom furniture mixed with Neidermaier pieces.
Design team: Brett Design
This room is meant to be a Valentine's Day respite, a place to go alone or with your loved one to relax, clear your mind and de-stress. The room features Brett Design's exquisite wallpaper and custom furniture mixed with Neidermaier pieces.
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Celebration of a Father
Design team: Dyfari Interiors
In memory of her father, who was a tailor, Diane Guariglia of Dyfari Interiors created a room inspired and designed to feel like a well-made suit. She used a brown herringbone fabric wall covering from Phillip Jeffries and incorporated pink accents throughout the space in honor of breast cancer awareness.
All sewing items, as well as the drawings on the wall, are from Guariglia's father.
Design team: Dyfari Interiors
In memory of her father, who was a tailor, Diane Guariglia of Dyfari Interiors created a room inspired and designed to feel like a well-made suit. She used a brown herringbone fabric wall covering from Phillip Jeffries and incorporated pink accents throughout the space in honor of breast cancer awareness.
All sewing items, as well as the drawings on the wall, are from Guariglia's father.
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Golden Jubilee
Design team: Javaras Kennally Associates
For this collector's library space, the designers at Javaras Kennally Associates interpreted a golden jubilee, a 50th-year anniversary celebration, as a general celebration of life filled with hope. The space uses a rich palette of gold elements with a mix of antiques and art, including both vintage and contemporary photography (inspired by Evelyn Lauder's love of the medium).
The room features a custom hand-knotted silk and wool carpet by Shir; furniture by Joseph Hoffman, Gustave Siegel and Otto Wagner; and antique cut-velvet curtains by Antique Textile Gallery.
Design team: Javaras Kennally Associates
For this collector's library space, the designers at Javaras Kennally Associates interpreted a golden jubilee, a 50th-year anniversary celebration, as a general celebration of life filled with hope. The space uses a rich palette of gold elements with a mix of antiques and art, including both vintage and contemporary photography (inspired by Evelyn Lauder's love of the medium).
The room features a custom hand-knotted silk and wool carpet by Shir; furniture by Joseph Hoffman, Gustave Siegel and Otto Wagner; and antique cut-velvet curtains by Antique Textile Gallery.
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Mother's Day
Design team: Dineen Architecture + Design
In honor of Mother's Day, this 21st-century boudoir was inspired by its 18th-century counterpart: a woman's power center for work, romance, family and self. Designer Joan Dineen worked to celebrate strong feminine style with elegance in mind.
Design team: Dineen Architecture + Design
In honor of Mother's Day, this 21st-century boudoir was inspired by its 18th-century counterpart: a woman's power center for work, romance, family and self. Designer Joan Dineen worked to celebrate strong feminine style with elegance in mind.
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Deck the Halls
Design team: The Roger Thomas Collection for Maya Romanoff
Red is the color of passion, sensuality and celebration, which inspired Roger Thomas to deck the hall with his hand-painted vermillion Tremelo wall covering for Maya Romanoff. As a historical reference for the color red, there is a picture gallery with elegant drawings and collages by artist Ruth Marten.
Design team: The Roger Thomas Collection for Maya Romanoff
Red is the color of passion, sensuality and celebration, which inspired Roger Thomas to deck the hall with his hand-painted vermillion Tremelo wall covering for Maya Romanoff. As a historical reference for the color red, there is a picture gallery with elegant drawings and collages by artist Ruth Marten.
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President's Day
Design team: Donald Schermerhorn
Inspired by a traditional and historical men's study, this comfortable and enclosed space has a subtle holiday palette of blues, olives and teals, with overlapping patterns and textures.
Design team: Donald Schermerhorn
Inspired by a traditional and historical men's study, this comfortable and enclosed space has a subtle holiday palette of blues, olives and teals, with overlapping patterns and textures.
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Halloween
Design team: BG Studio International
Dante Alighieri's Purgatorio of The Divine Comedy served as the basis for this tiny space, titled "The Portal: Deceptive Reality." BG Studio added a little spook to its seasonal space by inviting people to "experience a transition and a transformation into the netherworld."
Design team: BG Studio International
Dante Alighieri's Purgatorio of The Divine Comedy served as the basis for this tiny space, titled "The Portal: Deceptive Reality." BG Studio added a little spook to its seasonal space by inviting people to "experience a transition and a transformation into the netherworld."
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Christmas
Design team: Stephanie Odegard Collection
Most people find it hard to stay centered during the holidays, as to-do lists grow longer. The design of this room is meant to remedy that, featuring calming ancient motifs from Tibet, Nepal and the subcontinent of India.
Design team: Stephanie Odegard Collection
Most people find it hard to stay centered during the holidays, as to-do lists grow longer. The design of this room is meant to remedy that, featuring calming ancient motifs from Tibet, Nepal and the subcontinent of India.
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| Winter White Design team: Vicente Wolf for ALB (This photo and next two) This light and bright bedroom embodies the fresh, airy simplicity of Swedish-inspired design. |
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Spring Forward
Design team: Tobi Fairley Interior
(This photo and next)
In honor of the spring equinox and also a play on the words "fashion forward," Tobi Fairley used couture detailing in the drapery embroidery, grosgrain ribbon trim on the sofa and channel ribbing on the banquettes in this sitting room. Both the gilded accents and emerald green vintage Murano lamps act as jewelry for the space.
Design team: Tobi Fairley Interior
(This photo and next)
In honor of the spring equinox and also a play on the words "fashion forward," Tobi Fairley used couture detailing in the drapery embroidery, grosgrain ribbon trim on the sofa and channel ribbing on the banquettes in this sitting room. Both the gilded accents and emerald green vintage Murano lamps act as jewelry for the space.
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The classic color palette of black and white is tried and true in both fashion and interiors, and is made current here by the pastel pink tones. This glamorous and feminine sitting room could be a secondary living space, an office or a dressing room for a fashionista.
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An Elegant Affair
Design team: Janet Rice Interiors
Whether you live in 250 square feet or 20,000 square feet, each day can be an elegant affair. A jewel-box corridor bedecked in hand-painted wallpaper by Gracie encourages guests to sit down, relax and be inspired.
Design team: Janet Rice Interiors
Whether you live in 250 square feet or 20,000 square feet, each day can be an elegant affair. A jewel-box corridor bedecked in hand-painted wallpaper by Gracie encourages guests to sit down, relax and be inspired.
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Chinese New Year
Design team: The Lee W. Robinson Company
Since 2012 is the auspicious Year of the Dragon, this room combines dragon motifs, fretwork, malachite wallpaper and antiquities from the Ming and Tang dynasties, as well as a champagne cellar and an upscale bar to create the feel of a chinoiserie-laden party pavilion.
Design team: The Lee W. Robinson Company
Since 2012 is the auspicious Year of the Dragon, this room combines dragon motifs, fretwork, malachite wallpaper and antiquities from the Ming and Tang dynasties, as well as a champagne cellar and an upscale bar to create the feel of a chinoiserie-laden party pavilion.
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Origins of Life: A Birthday "Studiolo"
Design team: Suzanne Eason Interiors
A wallpaper design from Trove, inspired by the double-helix structure of DNA, creates a centerpiece in this classically inspired study. Designer Suzanne Eason filled the space with objects reminding us of the ebb and flow of birth and life. It is a room about rebirth and renewal, evoked by naturalistic landscapes, whimsical pieces and fantasy objets d'art. Art and sculpture by Kathy Buist and Daniel Williams also contribute to this space.
Design team: Suzanne Eason Interiors
A wallpaper design from Trove, inspired by the double-helix structure of DNA, creates a centerpiece in this classically inspired study. Designer Suzanne Eason filled the space with objects reminding us of the ebb and flow of birth and life. It is a room about rebirth and renewal, evoked by naturalistic landscapes, whimsical pieces and fantasy objets d'art. Art and sculpture by Kathy Buist and Daniel Williams also contribute to this space.
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Girl's Night Out
Design team: Claudia Giselle Design
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This vanity room serves as a sort of freedom zone for a sensual woman who needs a glamorous but fun space to prepare for a festive night out. Traditional and contemporary elements merge to create a room that makes getting ready for that holiday party just as fun as the festivity itself.
Design team: Claudia Giselle Design
(This photo and next)
This vanity room serves as a sort of freedom zone for a sensual woman who needs a glamorous but fun space to prepare for a festive night out. Traditional and contemporary elements merge to create a room that makes getting ready for that holiday party just as fun as the festivity itself.
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Winter Solstice
Design team: Paula + Martha
(This photo and next)
The design of this space was devised like a celestial calendar, featuring furnishings and fine art, such as dimensional paintings by artist Ron Gorchov, that orbit around a striking Baccarat-crystal-encrusted chandelier and a dramatic Jacques Jarrige sculptural screen.
Design team: Paula + Martha
(This photo and next)
The design of this space was devised like a celestial calendar, featuring furnishings and fine art, such as dimensional paintings by artist Ron Gorchov, that orbit around a striking Baccarat-crystal-encrusted chandelier and a dramatic Jacques Jarrige sculptural screen.
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Sweet Sixteen
Design team: Robyn Karp Interiors
(This photo and next)
Inspired by the song "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" from The Sound of Music, this bedroom has chevron stripes and polka dots playfully colliding. The fun and happy room blends teenage rebellion with the right amount of feminine whimsy.
Design team: Robyn Karp Interiors
(This photo and next)
Inspired by the song "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" from The Sound of Music, this bedroom has chevron stripes and polka dots playfully colliding. The fun and happy room blends teenage rebellion with the right amount of feminine whimsy.
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Every Day Is a Holiday
Design team: Charlotte Moss
(This photo and next three)
This room is inspired and dedicated to Charlotte Moss' former employee, Lilliana, a decorator and art collector who passed away last year. The room is designed as a studio apartment for a worldly woman who is fearless, loves art and scrapbooking, and is a collector. A canopy bed creates a private refuge, where every day can be celebrated as a holiday.
Design team: Charlotte Moss
(This photo and next three)
This room is inspired and dedicated to Charlotte Moss' former employee, Lilliana, a decorator and art collector who passed away last year. The room is designed as a studio apartment for a worldly woman who is fearless, loves art and scrapbooking, and is a collector. A canopy bed creates a private refuge, where every day can be celebrated as a holiday.
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Ideabook published on Oct. 27, 2012.
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I do like the string gazebo but the black and yellow doesn't seem that festive.
And one of the biggest things you need a designer for is to edit choices. These rooms look like they threw every cool idea or product or chotchke they've ever seen into one room. That's not good design. I wouldn't hire any of these firms.
Some of these rooms might be livable if you took half of the stuff out of them. pink woodwork for Father's day? black plastic chairs for valentine's day? Swan planters? A potted prickly pear right next to a sofa? seriously?
But I am sure that the firms decorate differently for this than they do for other things. If the designers just tried to do a good job, then the rooms would look the same as any other well decorated mansion in Houzz (except design of the rooms would be disjointed).
You can enjoy a roller coaster without trading your car in on one.
I wrote that they made my eyes hurt, but actually they made me physically unsettled. I know it's pretentious to try and be more and more amazed by less and less, like when you see a light switch in a modern gallery: "Oooooh, how searing and evocative". But, I am surprised how off putting the rooms were were. Go figure.
Sure they're supposed to be "over the top". That doesn't mean they have to be so overdone.
Like the first one. The gigantic photo mural is an over the top idea. Fine. Get rid of the reindeer, swans and anything on the floor that is not furniture. and replace the pillows with a solid color.
Then you would have a room that wouldn't make your head spin. (it might creep me out to live there, though.) And it would've cost the designer less.
It seems like everyone was trying to be ironic with the theme.
I still can't get over the potted prickly-pear right by the couch in Father's Day.
see some up to date fireplaces, like the ones at Home Market Deals. They are environmentally friendly. They provide heat and use the latest in flame like technology. AMBIONAIR FLAME electric wall mounted fireplaces.