This year's Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse is a bit of a break from previous incarnations of the Upper East Side institution. While last year's mansion featured a few contemporary pieces by Damien Hirst or the occasional breakout Brooklyn artist, this year's showhome was filled from ground floor to penthouse with art by edgier-than-average photographers, conceptual artists, and sculptors. We picked up several ideas for using artwork to up the ante in a room.
Contractor Stephen Fanuka collaborated with Electrolux on this mod, space-age laundry room bathed in blue light. Lozenge-shaped cutouts in the wall make the closet look like installation art.
Mounted on a bookshelf, an abstract painting in high-key neon green stands in sharp contrast to this traditional room by Celerie Kemble.
In the eastern half of the penthouse, designed by Brad Ford, a massive live edge coffee table sprawls across the floor. Philia Audio Corporation designed the inset record player — a unique and functional detail.
Across the way from Brad Ford's room, the west side of the penthouse features a colorful tableau of artwork and found objects that enliven Robert Stilin's neutral interior.
The showhouse's standout piece was arguably the Marilyn Minter photo that designer Amanda Nisbet chose for the bedroom. Hung above a glamorous tufted headboard and framed in the Neo-Federal mansion's original carved wood molding, the photo pops against a background of pink and white wall upholstery from Chelsea Workroom.
The Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse is located at 163 East 63rd Street, open to the public from April 28 – May 26, 2011. All proceeds from the Decorator Show House benefit the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club.
Photos: Sarah Coffey
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love marilyn minter, but it's not her best... most of her mouth photos are grittier, goopier. This just look like a tame mm rip-off!
That is one of the most god-awful tacky bedrooms I have seen in a while. Almost makes Anna Nicole Smith look like the modicum of good taste. Reminds of when GQ periodically includes outfits from old issues in a "WTF were we thinking?" type quote.
Only one of these rooms is stunning. The bedroom would give me nightmares and the rest of them look like they're just trying WAY too hard. The veranda, however, is amazing. Kudos to them for creating the only comfortable and usable space.
egads!
that turntable coffee table is AMAZING. would kill for that.
"Glitter is the herpes of craft supplies"
Demiteri Martin
To each his own ..I guess. Whatever floats their boat. I sure as heck couldn't sleep with that nasty looking mouth over my head. Nothing looks really that stunning to me. The sheep is cute. And I am sick of the printed words and letters everywhere. I once had a botanical shower curtain with words on it and it drove everybody in the house crazy. Who wants to keep reading the same thing over and over again, day after day?
I love that bedroom, it's a cool mix of retro-shag and very modern decor. Very nice!
- Simon, DecoratorsBest
I covet that turntable coffee table, but that mouth photo just freaks me out. Yikes!
Expensive or not, the spaces have a surreal-kitchy kind of vibe. Even in the so-called elegant spaces, there is kind of a glitzy-gaudiness that is surprising for the Kips Bay Show House. The Veranda is probably the most CLASSIC "Kips Bay" of all the spaces.
I usually avoid making negative comments on here, but I must say, that mouth photo is beyond gross. what I can see of the study and bathroom looks cool.
Thanks AT for covering something this awesome. I try to convince my husband that I don't go to this website because I'm turning into a yuppie... this inspires me not to be a yuppie.
Note to self: don't offer home to be next Kip's Bay designer showcase.
Ignore the haters! That pink bedroom is one of the most striking, luscious rooms I've seen. It's amazing.
The fuchsia tete la tete is fabulous, and I love bursts of color in a monochromatic room!
The pink bedroom is pretty luscious, some people are just afraid to step out of their comfort zones.
I think it's hot! The ideas are very clever. People are just so afraid to think outside the box, and actually be creative in how they dress, live, think.
That first photo....just too gross!
Love the first bedroom..no, I probably wouldn't decorate my own like that, but it's awesome.
"Wanna see a car crash in a cave?"
I went to the Kips Bay House yesterday and have to say that I think this room (main photo) was my favorite. And the rug was amazing. Dyed pink with brown cowhide was genius.
The yellow painting in Celerie Kemble's room is stunning. The work in oil on linen is by a belgian artist Marc Van Cauwenbergh.
Does anyone know the source or where I might find the black jeweled ram's head in the hallway on the second floor? thanks.