4 Trends We Love from the Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York

2023 © nickolas sargent photography
Trends We Love from the Kips Bay New YorkNickolas Sargent
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The Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York has officially made its radiant return after a three-year hiatus—and, boy, it's one for the books. A team of 22 acclaimed designers and architects came together to transform the historic River Mansion on the Upper West Side into a design-lover's playground.

From fantastical bedrooms paying homage to the sky and sea to gathering spaces hot with spring fever, each room invites guests to escape from the bustle of urban life and take in the beauty surrounding them. Unsurprisingly, there's inspiration found everywhere in the show house's refined color palettes, riots of pattern, and sophisticated nods to whimsy. Here, we break down our editors' favorite trends from the Kips Bay Decorator Show House.

Not-Your-Grandmother's Wallpaper

“good spirits” by ghislaine viñas
“Good Spirits” by Ghislaine Viñas. Nickolas Sargent

Time and time again, designers prove that wallpaper is an indispensable decorating tool, as it can add so much texture and interest to a space. Many designers at this year's show house gravitated towards more modern motifs and graphic displays that served as the rooms' bold headliners rather than a backdrop.

In the parlor, Ghislaine Viñas commissioned artist Mark Mulroney to create felted murals that are placed atop a plaid custom-made wallpaper by Wolf Gordon. The classic lines speak to the home's historic character, and the playful scenes bring in a youthful energy.

2023 © nickolas sargent photography
“Impressions of Pompeii” by Fairfax Dorn Projects.Nickolas Sargent

Further in the house, the team at Fairfax Dorn Projects found inspiration in the soothing tones and elevated details of Jennifer Shorto's Pompeii wallpaper for their decoration of the laundry room. The sly cheetahs and flamboyant birds climbing the walls transform the utilitarian space into a creative hub.


Rust Meets Gray

2023 © nickolas sargent photography
“The Library” by Jay Jeffers, Inc.Nickolas Sargent

While color palettes skewed from elevated neutrals to springy greens and yellows, there was one color combination that stood out from the rest: rust and gray. The versatile earth tone imbues warmth and color as the cool shade provides balance. In the library, Jay Jeffers covered the lower part of the walls and bookcases in a rich rust brown (Rustique by Benjamin Moore) that exudes a moodier feeling throughout the space. The addition of the gray tone (Graystone by Benjamin Moore) cleverly harmonizes the room's parade of textiles and the mix of vintage and modern furniture.

2023 © nickolas sargent photography
"Untitled" by Ahmad AbouZanat | PROJECT AZ. Nickolas Sargent

Meanwhile, the rust-colored tiles in the Ahmad AbouZanat-designed bathroom serve as a call to nature, honoring the woody tones of the trees right outside the home's entrance. The neighboring light-toned tiles artfully contrast the rich color and create a clear separation between the two areas of the bathroom.


Notes from the Sea

“lady borremeo’s grotto” by mary mcdonald inc
“Lady Borremeo’s Grotto” by Mary McDonald Inc.Nickolas Sargent

Move over florals—shells are now spring's greatest accessory. We predicted that ocean-inspired motifs would be one of the biggest trends for spring, and they were seen around many of the rooms of the show house.

For example, Mary McDonald designed her bedroom in the show house as a nod to women travelers of the past. A lover of all things coquillage and color, the Los Angeles-based designer covered the walls in a grotto-inspired wallpaper then layered in textiles boasting watery tones. The finished product paints the scene of a free-spirited woman's bedroom filled with nautical treasures she's collected over time.

2023 © nickolas sargent photography
“Flight of Fantasy” by Sasha Bikoff Interior Design. Nickolas Sargent

In the primary bedroom of the home, Sasha Bikoff took a more imaginative approach to the aquatic theme, working with a more pastel palette to create a dream-like quality. The star of the show is the eccentric clamshell bed (which caused quite the conversation in the VERANDA office) that was inspired by an original Pierre Paulin design. Working with John Pomp Studios, the duo covered the inflated bed in an iridescent fabric that glows under light from the ship chandelier.


Spaces of Solace

2023 © nickolas sargent photography
“Drawing Room” by Neal Beckstedt Studio. Nickolas Sargent

Interior designers have cited that clients are increasingly asking for quaint rooms that allow one to explore their creative sides and focus on their wellness. Neal Beckstedt offered his own spin on the perfect study as he reimagine the house's original wine room into an architect's drawing room. The mix of antiques and artistic flourishes calls guests in to spend an hour or two focusing on a hobby they love.

2023 © nickolas sargent photography
“The Hideaway” by Clinton Smith Studio. Nickolas Sargent

Clinton Smith also created his own version of an ideal oasis that allows guests to disconnect from the world and relax. "The Hideaway" features a celestially-inspired wallpaper that allows the mind to wander as you trace unpredictable patterns across the room. The daybed offers a hushed spot to read or even meditate without worrying about interruptions.


The 48th Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York is open this year from Wednesday, May 10, until Tuesday, June 6. Tickets start at $40 with proceeds benefiting the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. The sponsors for this year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York include Benjamin Moore, Calico Wallpaper, Cosentino, Dedar, E.Braun & Co of New York, JennAir, Kohler, Kravet, Marc Phillips, Peacock Alley, Sanderson, Soane Britain, The Rug Company, and The Shade Store.

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