Kips Bay is about to open its doors. Here’s a sneak peek

Several participating designers share information about the rooms' inspirations.

Kips Bay is about to open its doors. Here’s a sneak peek

Kips Bay will open its 49th Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York to the public tomorrow, a five-story townhouse on the Upper East Side in New York that showcases the work of 24 designers and architects.

“This year’s New York Show House is a testament to the extraordinary talent and professionalism of our participating designers, who have worked tirelessly these past 10 weeks to construct their spaces,” said James Druckman, president of the board of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. The showhouse raises money for Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club.

The showhouse is located at 125 East 65th Street and hosted a press preview his week.

Kips Bay showhouse — Barbara Ostrom Associates’ ground-floor space. Photo: Nick Sargent

Barbara Ostrom Associates, which had the living space on the ground level, brought in warmer colors to make it a “cozy, warm, exciting place” for what is her 10th Kips Bay showhouse, she said during the press preview, a place where people can hang out, play games, watch movies (“The Jungle Book” was on view during the tour) and chill at the bar, which included cabinets designed by Joy Young of Townhouse Kitchens. “Everything is very eclectic,” said Ostrom, and the room includes a chair made of stuffed animals, artwork from Faith Ringgold (who passed away last month) and flying cranes painted on the ceiling.

Also on the ground floor was Beth Diana Smith’s take on a wine cellar. “I didn’t want it to be a traditional wine cellar,” with lots of wood and wine barrels. Instead, she created an entertaining space packed with pattern and color. “I do love pattern,” she said. “Layering comes more natural to me, and I love texture.” Items included artwork from Bailey Li.

Designer Alan Tanksley aimed to create “a tailored approach to the maximalist experience,” for his space off the kitchen. His design took off once he spotted Fromental’s Kiku Garden in Hyogo wallpaper.

Kips Bay — Michelle Gerson’s sexy bar space, which includes her Game On tile from Artistic Tile. Photo: Nick Sargent

McMillen Inc., which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, used its design of Blair House (the President’s Guest House) in the 1960s for inspiration, including wallpaper from Charles R. Gracie & Sons.

Michelle Gerson envisioned a “sexy bar” for her space, which is dominated by black and white, including the handpainted wall mural of snakes and her new Game On tile from Artistic Tile. The countertop and cabinet doors are made of marble – “Marble is my favorite material,” she said, and each cabinet door weighs 75 pounds. She also used TuffSkin on the countertop for durability.

First-time Kips Bay participant Workshop/APD thought of a lady’s smoking lounge for its third-floor space. The design had to create impact, said Matt Berman, as the space didn’t have windows or a view. So the company played into the smoke and its ephemeral nature. The space includes a curved wall divider, as well as some of the company’s furniture, including its Quay sectional and a new coffee table.

First-time Kips Bay designer Nina Seirafi embraced a minimalist vibe and the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s for her room, which she called an opium den for the fashion designer Halston. Hidden bookshelves (books are placed horizontally out of sight, spine up), a Paul Rudolph fixture and Richard Serra art decorate the bold black room.

Having grown up in New York and Chile, designer Phillip Thomas decided to recreate his parents’ tradition of the Andes Club, where a wide group of people – artists, politicians, lawyers – came together to enjoy food, music and dialog. “I was enamored by the whole process,” he said. His room on the fourth floor also had no windows and low ceilings, which “pushes you to be a better designer.”

The showhouse will be open to the public tomorrow and close May 28.