Kips Bay with Cause - Floor Two: Get the Effect

After soaking up this year's outstanding Kips Bay Show House, there are so many moments that are reverberating in me. Let me take you floor by floor, highlighting the techniques, ingenuities, transfixing design details, compositions, and created client-stories that keep taking me by surprise.

If you missed my trip into the city and first impressions on the first floor and the impact of this year's Decorator's Show House, check out Floor One of The 44th and BEST Kips Bay Show House.

Floor Two:

Gil Walsh Interiors had a tiny little corner of the second floor hall and powder room. Though small, it was not spared an ounce of beauty. The cork covered walls and ceilings highlighted by these fantastic bursts of crystal light by Remains Lighting and casts of shadow drew me to this tight turnaround. Peeking inside the powder room (not shown) the Baker wallcovering was made of glinting mica and a breezy shot by celebrity photographer Tony Duran of the glamorous Jennifer Lopez, who herself benefitted from the work of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in her youth.

Gil Walsh Interiors - The Beauty of StrengthClive Christian Interiors - Kitchen

I loved the indestructible tri-stacked Dekton XGloss Solid countertop in Halo by Clive Christian Interiors. The stepped edge played into the decadent deco-inspired kitchen. Though it's impossible to tell from the picture, the wall paint was modified by adding women's eye shadow to the polymer, creating a ethereal glimmer and glow playing off the controlled use of light and glass and balanced by warm woods in rich hues.

Below, this Alex Papachristidis dining living space was too exquisite to touch. The enlarged print of this enchanting Gracie Wallpaper elevated the room into a lush contemporary expression of traditional dining and entertaining. An Andrea Koeppel lamp illuiminates the handpainted Ming Garden scene in a grisaille of trellises and gates inspired by an Elsie de Wolfe design in the Condé Nast penthouse. The 18th century console table from Dalva Brothers are originals from the Chinese room in the Paris apartment of Mona and Count Edward von Bismarck, Mona an early 20th century socialite and fashion icon.

Alex Papachristidis Interiors - Salle A Manger GlamourSuzanne Kasler Interiors - Sophisticated Simplicity

Suzanne Kasler displayed some of her collaborations with Hickory Chair included the Leigh Armless sofa, ottoman and side tables. Kasler created a truly sophisticated room, that though simple in arrangement was not lacking on design detail. Custom plaster moldings by Decorator Supply Corp. framed the composition of the room with modest minimalism. The Beauvais rug on Olde Savannah wood floors was the perfect accent to the space and the six mirrors by Mark Evans for Quintus were so thoughtfully arranged on a small easily overlooked wall, captured as a canvas for light and art.

Suzanne Kasler Interiors - Sophisticated SimplicitySuzanne Kasler Interiors - Sophisticated Simplicity

Stepping out from Kasler's living space, I was met by Daniel Richards, working diligently in his aptly titled "Urban Oasis". The hum of the city was muted in the terrace, muted furthermore by mood of blackies in Atelier Vierkant ceramic planters and "black" sculptural foliage beneath black ceramic plinths. A soft sculptural hedge wrapped the perimeter of the terrace, tucked into Planterworx powdercoated aluminum planters. Daniels shared that the Gloster sectional sofa and coffee table from the Grid Collection by Danish designer Henrik Pedersen are designed so they can be rearranged into any configuration and upholstered in a waterproof (not just water-resistant) outdoor fabric. Joe Wheaton Sculpture provided by the Carrie Haddad Gallery loosen the garden grid in organic forms yet with staid solidity.

Daniel Richards Design - Urban Oasis on the Terrace