In case you thought the Philip Mitchell stairwell, shown on the opener and here, didn’t have enough art, here’s an upper floor. / Photo by Rafael Quirindongo.
And more stair art . . . / Photo by Max Touhey, Curbed NY.
. . . and more. / Photo by Max Touhey, Curbed NY.
The ceiling fixtures in Drake Design Associates’ foyer look like giant quartz crystals, but Israeli designer Ayala Serfaty makes them from glass and polymer. / Photo by Marco Ricca.
The Clive Christian bathroom with mother-of-pearl wall. Photo by Timothy Bell.
And a powder-room homage to the late graffiti-inspired artist Keith Haring by Gail Green. / Photo by Max Touhey, Curbed NY.
Designer Bennett Leifer’s lounge area glows with DeGournay wallpaper, mirrors, wall sconces and an overhead “star.” / Photo by Rafael Quirindongo.
Another star and more gleam, from the wall of mirrors in Christopher Peacock’s eat-in kitchen, adjacent to the Bennett Leifer space. / Photo by Rafael Quirindongo.
A quiet, elegant corner of Alessandra Branca’s living room. The black chair is by Fornasetti. / Photo by Max Touhey, Curbed NY.
And to all a good night: a peaceful bedroom from David Phoenix. / Photo by Rafael Quirindongo.
GET OUT YOUR SUNGLASSES. The 2015 edition of Manhattan’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House is full of glitz and glam. Not the aesthetic that defines our times, I would have thought, but one that certainly captures attention.
All that said, I was comforted by the parlor (yes, yes, very trad) by Alessandra Branca, especially the glossy black desk chair from Fornasetti. Amusing in a crisp, clean, powder-room kind of way is Gail Green’s Keith Haring-homage bathroom. I don’t think I’m ready for the gleam–above, below, to the side–of Bennett Leifer’s “lounge,” whatever that is. And there are over-the-top surfaces everywhere–a tub surround of mother-of-pearl; travertine pewter-leaf chimney breast; Tropical Modern wallpaper, and dark, glittery wallpaper on a bathroom ceiling. Think the pale gray master bedroom by L.A. designer David Phoenix is too subdued? You won’t after you see the other rooms!
Show houses always have weird spaces, quirky corners that have to be addressed. That may explain why this house wound up with six wet bars.
Clearly the show is an eyeful. And you need not take my word for it. You can hop on a Megabus anytime between now and June 11. Or you can just hop over to Curbed.com and enjoy the slideshow.
–Nancy McKeon
Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club Decorator Show House 2015, the Arthur Sachs Mansion, 58 East 66th Street in Manhattan. General admission $35 (tickets will be held at the door; bring your emailed confirmation).
