Holiday House 2012 ~ Part 2

Suzanne  Eason happened to be sitting in her room when I was there.  It's really nice when you are able to speak with the designers, because often times there are subtle references or nuances you may miss by taking a look around and walking out.  In this case the theme was "Origins of life," a birthday study.  The small space was richly layered in my new favorite color combination.  A beautiful place to work and reflect.

I recognized the Trove wallpaper right away, but did not put 2 and 2 together that it was the double helix pattern, as in DNA.  The Roubini rug features a snake with an apple in its mouth:  to tempt Adam and Eve?  The sculptures depicting Adam and Eve were created by master sculptor Daniel Williams for the room.

When a designer pays a lot of attention to detail, I tend to take notice!  Lee Robinson, who you may remember from my coverage of the Hamptons' show house is one of those designers.  The Chinese New Year celebration was apparent in his small space, but Lee made the most of it.  With its black textured ceiling meeting a decorative tape delineating the malachite papered walls, there was a lot to look at.  The decorative chinoiserie transom above the door delighted and surprised.

The trellis motif was carried around the room, and the beautiful bar was as decorative as it was practical

Walking up the steps to the third floor was a nice surprise.  I felt like I was in the hall of mirrors, and apparently, I was.  Jon Call, with the help of Robyn of J. Pocker, did a great custom and stock mirror lined hallway with a geometric ceiling.  Robyn told me it was a striped wallpaper that was cut and put back together in this dynamic way.  That idea is a keeper!  Inspired by the idea of charity, the reflective surfaces reinforce the desire of the designers to exhibit the "brave" and "reflective" concept.  That's so existential.

AH, here's a theme I could detect ~ birthday, in this case ~sweet sixteen.  What 16 year old wouldn't want such a happy place?  I know this because it says so on the door (in crystals).  Done in luscious lilac with sophisticated art and great textiles, Robyn Karp created a dream bedroom for any young girl.  A touch of coral helps keep it young and punchy.

Vincente Wolf created a Swedish Winter Dream Room.  Is that a holiday?  It is classic Vincente Wolf and it is dreamy but...

I miss the days of old where you understood and were aware of the holiday being portrayed.  As I said, the subtle reference in which to design these holiday rooms is so much more interesting than the obvious holiday themed room.  It would be interesting to see how each designer over the years put their own spin on the holidays we know, love, and celebrate ~ otherwise, isn't it just another showhouse?

Holiday House 2012 ~ Part 1

I was a tad late getting to the party, but I made it to the 5th annual Holiday House benefitting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  It was founded by Evelyn Lauder.  The portrait in the foyer was a fitting tribute to Evelyn, who lost her life last year due to ovarian cancer.

I was having a déjà vu moment upon entering the house.  I realized it has been held in the same upper east side mansion each year.  Designers are given a holiday, or choose a theme with which to base their designs.

Geoffrey Bradfield was inspired by Marcel Proust's Rememberences of Things Past.  The past and the present co exist in the kind of room Geoffrey does best.  His interiors are airy, functional spaces with a  sculptural quality.  It was opulence in black and while.

I like a designer with a sense of humor.  You'd better have one in this business!  This bust was in the fireplace and appeared to have had a pie thrown in its face.

Ally Coulter's Father's Day den is a dream for any testosterone filled man about town.  Ralph Lauren would be proud.  You could move right in; everything was picture perfect and slightly sparkly.

The house has such strong architectural lines, and the dining room with its decorative barrel ceiling is a showstopper.  It was appropriate that Inson Dubois Wood created a Venice carnavale like feeling with it's riotous mixture of art and high/low layering.

Ironically, I did detect a gun theme.  I liked the unexpected placement of the light fixture on the table.  Dramatic?  Yes!   Practical?  No!  Who says show houses have to be practical?  I think lighting these rooms was an issue.

Upstairs, Dineen Architecture and Design had the task of creating a room based on Mother's Day.  I found it interesting that they chose to do it in a slightly masculine or non-gender specific way.  It was just clean lined and well curated.  Each detail was exacting.  A space where any woman could relax and rejuvenate.

Dyfari Interiors gave a tiny room impact, suggesting it was an ode to her father.  A master tailor with a penchant for the feminine?  I could picture him down on the lower east side toiling away.  I like that a frame corralled the different colored threads and it became more than the sum of its parts.  You were suppose to feel enveloped in a men's suit with the Phillip Jeffries herringbone fabric wall covering.

Stay tuned for part 2.
I apologize for the less than ideal lighting.  It was a challenge for the designers and the amatuer photographers.

Hampton Designer Showhouse 2012: Part Duex

My favorite room in the house was Robert Passel's.  I don't know if it was the floating bed, the inlaid chest, the assorted Stephanie Odegard pieces, the color combination, or the unbelievable customized wallpaper by Black Crow Studio that caused my heart to skip a beat.  I love Robert's designs.  They are always sophisticated and beautifully curated.

somebody was planning on a little fun :-)

Katie Leede & Co. brings a bohemian, multi-textural, multi-ethnic vibe to her bedroom.  It manages to remain restful while still having a lot going on (I think I just described Katie herself).  I'm calling it ~ Out of Africa meets modern Moroccan.

There were many of versions of this work horse, saw horse desk.

Katie's own Menna fabric was applied to the walls, and along with the curtains trimmed in feathers and the woven shades, they helped frame William Sweetlove's Cloned Dog on the front lawn.  His animal sculptures are seen around the Hamptons.  They all sport backpacks and water bottles as a commentary on climate change.  It is not only a beautiful house, but it is making an environmental statement as well.

Tammy Connor, a talented Alabama designer did a twin bedroom and bath with a rustic sensibility.

I liked the artist studio reference.  You obviously would not use a bathroom in this way (as the women in the room with me pointed out), but it's a show house after all, and sometimes you have to suspend disbelief!  I also liked that the stripes were applied in different directions.  What do you think of this application of the wallpaper in the bedroom?

Downstairs in the basement, TV personality Libby Langdon had a huge space to fill, called the fun room.  The propeller cocktail table was a conversation piece.  It was a nice mix of metal surfaces and antiques.  She cleverly had a tape of her on the Rachel Ray show running on the TV.

It's a shame the lighting was uncooperative in the lounge that Greg McKensie designed.  The hip, mod  space was rooted in classicism, but infused with tactile elements that created a visually exciting environment.  You "have me" at malachite, animal hide, lucite and mirror.  The fabric applied to the walls was a knockout.

I have to admit, I did not understand Lee Najman's game room.  I wish I had some explanation, but it did remind me once again of the Hermes store in Paris ~ So, I had a full circle moment.

to refresh your memory: Hermes, Paris

Ph; CLI, except 7 & 8 courtesy Robert Passel