KIPS BAY SHOWCASE
We were invited to design a room for the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas, which felt like a milestone moment for our studio. I call Kips Bay the Super Bowl of the design world, so we came in ready to take some risks.
The space started as a beige box. Carpeted floors, acoustic ceiling tiles, fluorescent lighting. The ceiling was the first thing we knew had to go. I kept asking myself, if I could dream up anything, what would I want to see when I looked up. That led us to medieval Bavaria, Schiaparelli couture, folk art and old European studies. We had a firm idea for the ceiling, both the color palette and the motifs, and then hired an artist to bring those ideas to life.
The walls are wrapped in custom hand painted Porter Teleo wallpaper. We noticed that raised dot patterns were often paired with acanthus in historic references, so that is where the dot motif came from, and we added a few evil eyes just for fun. The tone on tone dots make the paper feel more like a texture than a print. The marble tile under foot brings in green and burgundy that echo the ceiling color. We love how the Murano chandelier supports the palette and adds a sculptural element without pulling focus from the rest of the room.
The room is part woodland retreat and part cabinet of curiosities. We layered in objects that feel collected over time. An 18th Century Georgian bookcase from Hayslip Interiors is packed with leather books and tarnished silver tucked between coral and shells. A Victorian desk holds a shapely brass task lamp and fresh flowers. A perched peacock stands in the corner. The fireplace is wrapped in a preserved garland by Kristin Karlisch, with one of our studio’s Black Forest carved mirrors above. On each side, moody hand beaded florals by Rebecca Reeves nod to decay in a beautiful way. The Hellmouth fire surround was conceived and sketched in our studio and will soon be available in stone. The fireplace lion and mantle were faux finished by Paige Martin Artifacts plus Studio, which really made the lion come to life.
Materials throughout are rich and textured. A deep brown mohair sofa from Burton James is trimmed in Samuel and Sons fringe. The rug from Arsin contrasts with the blues and purples in the room and sets it aglow with a bold leaf motif. A faux bois tray table from Dennis and Leen sits next to an amber glass lamp by Porta Romana, catching the sunlight and playing against the plum velvet of the vintage chair. It feels a little offbeat but grounded.
The last layer brings in hand worked pieces and small oddities. Plates climb the wall near the fireplace. Flowers, books, art and small found objects fill the gaps on tables and shelves. The room is meant to feel collected, a little strange and very inviting.
Sponsors and partners include:
Adrian Castilleja Construction of ATX, Porter Teleo, Benjamin Moore, TileBar, Paige Martin Artifacts + Stwudio, Innova 3D, Hayslip Interiors, ByCloudia, Burton James, Dennis and Leen, Arsin Rug Gallery, Ballard Designs, Ambrose Upholstery, Slipworks, Culp and Asso, Legacy Antiques, Porter Romano, Schumacher and The Shade Store, Maria Morrissey of ATX Design Studio, Solias Lighting Group, Gillian Bryce Gallery, Wolf Hall, Craighead Green, Robert Kime, Rebecca Reeves, Kristin Karlisch, and Sarah Stacey Interior Design.