KIPS BAY DECORATOR SHOW HOUSE: Review by Polly Guerin

Every year, celebrated interior designers are chosen to transform a luxury Manhattan home into an elegant exhibition of fine furnishings, art and technology and the Kips Bay Decorator Show House does not disappoint, Located at the Arthur Sachs Mansion at 58 East 66 Street in New York City's iconic Lenox Hill neighborhood this annual prestigious event, entrance fee $35, helps to raise critical funds for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club that helps to improve the lives of thousands of bright talented young people. It also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the the club.

Gail Green's "An Artful Loo"

     "An Artful Loo" by Gail Green Interiors is worth taking into account. Inspired by the bold visual beauty and graphic imagery of Keith Harng's artwork, the powder room is designed around Ascot's new ceramic tile collection, carried by Hasting Tile & Bath, called "Game of Fifteen."  A tribute to the Master Graffiti artist, the tiles have anthropomorphic-like themes that are sharp and chic, graphic and poignant.With maze-like forms, at a distance they form a pattern: up close, they form a story. This powder room has a playful ambiance and is truly "An Artful Loo."
          Rich embellishments As you walk through this year's house with your cell phones and note pads, gathering cards,  fresh ideas illuminate the premises,

Alessandra Branca's Living Room

such as, Jamie Drake's front hall, wine-dark walls flecked with Japanese mica. Traditional French Art Deco and beautiful marquetry draw attention as does a mix of periods and styles, such as,  Alessandra Branca's cosy, rosy living room with marine life, candles, books and orchids, the sofa backed by a Chinese lacquer screen.
          The over-the-top red and white gingham dining room, however, is both startling and inviting comments. As I observed; the walls the pillows quite

The Gingham Dining Room 

overwhelm with gingham.
        Pulled Together in 4 Days: Clients of interior designers my rightly wonder how this show house was pulled together with such panache and bravado in four weeks. Charles Pavarini's  "Manhattan Midnight Lounge," a glittering room with a pewter-leaf tavertine marble, myriad LED technologies and deep blue strie walls, in a brilliant remark once told a client, "It's because you were not involved..Yes, once the client/customer gets involved there are often unexpected delays and then even more reason's to become exasperated.

The Kips Bay Decorator Show House is open to June 11th. kipsbaydeocratorsshowhouse.org. Just a note of caution: A this writing the elevator is out of order, so you'll need to climb up the beautiful winding staircase to the fifth floor and then the roof.Ta Ta Darlings!!! Your support benefits the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club celebrating 100 years of service to children. Visit Polly Blogs at www.pollytalk.com and in the left hand column click on the links to fashion, visionary men, women determined to succeed and art deco divas.