A Curated Take on Maximalism: Sarah Stacey’s Kips Bay Dallas Room
How a layered, story-driven interior made its mark at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House.
A room at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House is a career-defining moment in interior design. Fondly described by Sarah as "the Super Bowl of the design world", the annual showcase invites leading interior designers to reimagine a luxury residence, raising funds for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club while advancing the conversation around residential interior design.
For its sixth year in Dallas, the Kips Bay Decorator Show House returned to 2999 Turtle Creek Boulevard, a 25,000-square-foot French Renaissance–style estate. 26 designers were invited to transform rooms throughout the residence, creating a temporary but unforgettable exhibition. Among them was Austin-based Sarah Stacey Interior Design, marking the studio’s debut at Kips Bay Dallas.
From Beige Box to Kips Bay Decorator Show House Installation
Sarah's assigned space began as a plain beige box, as she describes it. The blank slate, typical of many showhouse interiors, had carpeted floors, acoustic ceiling tiles, fluorescent lighting, and zero architectural distinction.
The first decision was immediate. The ceiling had to go.
“I kept asking myself, if I could dream up anything, what would I want to see when I looked up,” she says.
That question became the anchor for the rest of the room. Drawing inspiration from medieval Bavaria, Schiaparelli couture, folk art, and historic European references, Stacey developed a hand-painted ceiling. With a palette and iconography in mind, she collaborated with artist Anne Barlow to replace the dropped tiles with an immersive mural.
Once the ceiling was established, the room followed its cue.
A Room Built Around Curiosity
“We wanted the room to feel whimsical, like it belonged to a very curious person who’s a world traveler and collector of treasures,” Sarah says.
At the center of the room sits a fireplace with a 3D-printed Hellmouth motif, designed by Sarah and developed through digital modeling. The custom surround serves as a focal point and a narrative thread.
Within an 18th-century Georgian bookcase are leather-bound books, silver objects, shells, coral, and sculptural curiosities that reinforce the room’s layered maximalist design. Antique furniture mixes with new and vintage artwork, while window treatments by The Shade Store in moiré fabric from Schumacher introduce texture. A custom mohair sofa by Burton James, finished with fringe trim from Samuel and Sons, anchors the room and adds another layer of depth.
While the room contains many elements, Sarah was careful to control contrast and saturation. The palette remains tight, with tone and texture providing differentiation rather than color clashes. Matte and a semigloss sheen are used to make surfaces appear layered rather than busy.
“I was told it was one of the smallest rooms, but also that it was one of the most calming and cozy,” Stacey says. “That’s a huge compliment for a maximalist space.”
Maximalism That Pushes Back on Quiet Luxury
In a design climate dominated by quiet luxury, Stacey’s Kips Bay stands out. Rather than neutral palettes and understated fixtures, the space leaned into personality and storytelling.
“I’m not quiet luxury,” Sarah says plainly. “Those spaces often feel like carbon copies. They’re not unique.”
The room has a different definition of "luxury" in contemporary interior design. Many pieces were sourced from antiques dealers and galleries, including Austin's byCloudia, Atlanta's Gillian Bryce Gallery, and Dallas' Wolf Hall Antique Collective and Craighead Green Gallery. Others were custom-designed or artist-made.
Design Under Pressure at Kips Bay
Part of what makes Kips Bay distinctive is the timeline. The team had six weeks from confirmation to completion.
“It’s a lot of work, especially upfront,” Sarah says. “You have to commit to ideas before the room fully reveals itself.”
When the show closed, the room was dismantled. Like all Kips Bay spaces, the installation existed briefly, then disappeared.
“I was genuinely sad to take it down,” Stacey admits. “It was such a special room.”
Work With Sarah Stacey Interior Design
If you're drawn to interiors that tell a story, explore our portfolio or get in touch to discuss how this approach can shape your next residential or hospitality project in Austin, throughout Texas, or beyond.
FAQ
What is the Kips Bay Decorator Show House?
The Kips Bay Decorator Show House is an annual design showcase where interior designers transform a luxury residence. The Dallas edition supports local charities and highlights regional design voices.
What does “curated maximalism” mean in interior design?
Curated maximalism pairs bold pattern, color, and collected pieces with restraint. Every element is intentional, edited, and design to work with the whole room.
How is curated maximalism different from quiet luxury?
Quiet luxury prioritizes neutrality, relying on high-end finishes and premium materials to deliver. Curated maximalism takes a different approach, using color, pattern, and meaningful pieces to create a home that reflects who you are and supports how you live.
How does the Dallas Kips Bay Show House differ from New York?
While rooted in the original New York event, the Dallas Show House reflects local architecture and design culture. The event gives designers room to interpret maximalism in a Texas context.
