Design Journal: New York City Showrooms and More!

I usually bring to you, dear readers, some kind of design advice and tips, but today I'm going to let you in on some of the exciting things I get to see as a decorator in New York City. I hope you don't mind a peek into the hidden gems of design!

Working here as a decorator definitely has its perks. Some of the most amazing design buildings are located here, as well as shows and events. Recently, I was able to attend two events, Opening Night at the Architecture & Design Building and the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club 42nd Annual Decorator Show House.

The A&D Building Opening Night was filled with beautiful products, and more importantly, cocktails and hor d'oeuvres, both of which I indulged in! While I wasn't eating and enjoying my margarita, I did manage to snap just a few of the products I love:

B&B Italia flagship store, street entrance. Product shown is Canasta '13 by Patricia Urquiola. Technically, this is outdoor furniture, but it looks gorgeous inside, as well.

Estrella Be Bop White Gloss Finish Mosaic glass tile by Artistic Tile. This blew me away. It's just so beautiful. This tile can be used as a shower wall or on a shower floor...it could even be used as a small portion of a gently used floor elsewhere to create a dramatic effect.

Danse Azul stone tile by Artistic Tile. Another gorgeous tile...it can be used for the same applications as the Estrella Be Bop, but is a little more hardy so it can also be used in a pool or outdoor patio area.

GE Monogram Design Center custom refrigerator panel. Amazing, right? Did you ever think you could have your very own Empire State Building fridge? Or your own whatever-your-heart-desires fridge? No, I didn't either. No more need for refrigerator art!

GE Monogram Design Center custom kitchen. For the cook, this place is a dream come true. You can customize everything in the kitchen to your liking, in any style you can think of.

La Terre Royalty by Exquisite Surfaces. Terra cotta mixed with pewter. This is also offered in terra cotta/brass. I love the beauty of metal mixed with stone. I want to hang a small square of this in my house, just to look at it every day! 

Le Bambole '07 by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. A pop of red invites you to sit down on this cozy sofa. It really is comfortable and is a beautiful option for small apartments. Small doesn't have to mean unattractive or uncomfortable.

Thanks for bearing with my phone photos, by the way.

Last week, I made my way over to the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club 42nd Annual Decorator Show House. It's a fundraiser to which top designers are invited to decorate rooms within the house. This year, the show was held in The Mansion on Madison, built in 1884. It is one of the last remaining buildings in New York City that represents renaissance architecture. The interior architecture is original and is absolutely stunning, as you'll see in these photos. I've selected my favorite rooms to showcase for you below:

Designed by architect William Georgis. His design was inspired by Cardinal Spellman, who presided over and  is buried at St. Patrick's Cathedral across the street from the mansion. This was my favorite room because it embraced the feeling of the mansion, and also incorporated scent and music to influence the mood of the room. These last two factors had a stronger impact on my feeling of this room than what I saw with my eyes. Photo credit Curbed.

The floors and wood paneling are gorgeous, aren't they? The table, named Santa Sangre, was designed by William Georgis to represent the crucifixion of Christ (notice the pile of nails in the center of the table). Photo credit Curbed.

A cozy hallway leads to the bathrooms. I love the reflective gold ceiling and velvet lined banquette. Designed by Young Huh, LLC. Photo credit Curbed.

"Lady Penelope's Dressing Room" designed by Christopher Peacock. I can already imagine all of my own belongings in here! Peacock was inspired by a character from a 1960's television show called Thunderbirds. Photo credit Curbed.

Dressing table in "Lady Penelope's Dressing Room". That's 24 karat gold on the hardware. Photo credit Curbed.

Designed by Markham Roberts Inc. This study was one of my favorites because of the color on the walls and the amazing animal print rug and chair. It made me feel like I was in a collectors haven. Much of the art was of a natural history theme. Notice the white spears...they're narwhal tusks. Photo credit Curbed.

A closer peek at the narwhal tusks. Photo credit Curbed.

Designed by Villalobos Desio, we find another cozy, eclectic room. This room also felt like a collectors space. I especially love the leather herringbone floors and 1960's leather chair with fur pillow. The nook in the back, which appears to have previously been a closet, is a creative way to add more space visually and physically. Photo credit Curbed.

Close-up of my favorite chair and pillow. The stone skull is a a very curious object of interest. I love it! Photo credit Curbed.

I am sure I won't be able to resist sharing more of these events with you in the future, so stay tuned for more sneak peeks! If you have questions about where to find any of the items in these rooms, let me know, and I will consult my copy of the Designers' Sources.

Thanks for reading, friends! Have a lovely week :)

Carole