Holiday House 2012

Benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Photo credit The New York Times

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New York’s Design Showhouses are among my favorite events to attend.  They’re an opportunity to meet both the well established and the new-to-the-scene designers, and to see spacial creativity at it’s best.  This years Holiday House opens to the public today, and I’d like to share a few of the rooms I had the pleasure of seeing at the press preview.

Perhaps it’s because I have a real love of history coupled with an even more amorous relationship with architecture that I’m usually drawn first to the building, and then to the rooms within.  William Ziegler Jr., heir to the Royal Baking Powder fortune, commissioned Frederick Sterner to mastermind the building at 2 East 63rd street in 1921.  The mansion is an astonishing 75 feet wide, situated on a parcel of land that was once occupied by 3 brownstones.  It was purchased in 2005 by Leonard Blavatnik, a financier, for $31.25 million, and has remained unoccupied since.  Mr. Blavatnik graciously lends his support, and the house, to the breast cancer cause again this year for the 5th annual Holiday House.

Iris Danker, the events organizer, corralled 27 interior designers to decorate rooms this years.  Here are some of the highlights (I’m going to refrain from over-exposing the event here, as I encourage everyone to visit and donate to the cause, the $30 admission is a bargain.)

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Geoffrey Bradfield Inc.

This ‘Remembrance of Things Past‘ room was inspired by the Marcel Proust book of the same name.  Black and white memorabilia and stylish decoration link the glamour days of Hollywood with today.

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Vincente Wolf for ALB

Wolf says he was inspired by the idea of ‘Winter White’ and Swedish design.  The room was long and narrow (and wasn’t easy to get a shot of) but was quintessential VW, and really quite beautiful.

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Charlotte Moss

‘Everyday is a Holiday’ is a room Moss designed and dedicated to a former employee who passed away last year.  I counted 11 patterns (including the rug) all masterfully linked in a peacefully schemed and graciously proportioned room.

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Suzanne Eason Interiors LLC

Eason’s ‘Double Helix’ room was inspired by in part by the Trove wallpaper and the objects she decorated with that call to mind the ebb and flow of life.  Jeweled toned, and really quite chic.

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Robyn Karp Design Inc.

‘Sweet 16’, designed by Robyn Karp nods to Julie Andrews and the Sound of Music.  We had a nice chat about the room, which incorporates 2 painted bergeres that belong to her mother, and the vanity stool that belongs to her daughter.

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Huntley & Co. Interior Design

‘Holiday Luncheon Hosted by a Modern Day Marie Antoinette’.  This room, on the top floor of the mansion, was easily one of the largest (and as such a real feat to decorate.)  Full of charm and wit in a black/white/taupe palette.

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Mr. Call Designs

By far the best freshman effort in the house, Jon Call of Mr. Call Designs took one of the less desirable spaces (the top staircase landing) and created an understated and well thought out design.  The symmetry of the J. Pocker mirrors created architectural detailing while the chevron patterned ceiling kept things modern.

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October 25th through November 18th    11am – 5pm, Tues & Thurs until 8pm

2 East 63rd Street    New York

http://www.holidayhousenyc.com/

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