Blogfest in NYC: Design and the City

Confession: In one of my many fantasy lives, I live in a glamorous New York penthouse with views of the Hudson River, perfectly decorated spaces done by top designers, luxurious fabrics and furnishings to die for.

I met my dream this week at Kravet’s fabulous Blogfest 2012.

It was the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse which is celebrating its 40th year for Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. Considered the hot ticket in New York, it takes place through June 14 at the Aldyn, a luxury building on Manhattan’s West Side at Riverside Blvd. and 63rd St. Here, I found not one, but two adjacent duplex residences with views of the Hudson, beautiful terraces. And one even has a large pool and spa. The good news, they are both for sale: $16.9 million and $15 million. If I can scrape up the $$$ I would like to purchase both and link them together. The bad news: I have a long way to go.

But for now, I am content to dream about the wonderful things that I heard and saw. Blogfest designers had exclusive access for the evening and we were hosted by Architectural Digest Editor in Chief, Margaret Russell. Highlight was mingling with the designers in each room.

As a southwest Florida interior decorator who works with homeowners who mostly want a contemporary, Florida-style home that combines old and new, I am always looking for new ways to combine color and textures for indoor and outdoor spaces. The showcase was a virtual feast.

Because the Aldyn is a modern highrise (each apartment is on two levels: 20th and 21st floors), there are no fancy architectural details in the structure so the 31 designers used amazing creativity in creating these masterpieces from basic, plain rooms.

Noted throughout the house: heavy use of beautiful grasscloth, lacquered walls and ceilings, mixtures of old and new pieces.

And while Tangerine Tango may be the color of the year, Green is the color at Kips Bay. Jade, emerald, grass shades...in paint, fabric and accessories. Beautiful.

My favorites...well there were so many.  But I could not get past the “Gallery” designed by Thom Filicia (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, major designer, charming, cute and latest design crush!).  The open gallery connects to the living room, dining room and library and is lacquered in an amazing green that I am told is Benjamin Moore’s Cat’s Eye 2036-10. The color is stunning and shows what can be done in a very simple space.

  

  

"Purple Haze" rug" by Thom Filica for Safavieh. Photo: Edgar Pineda

 Thom Filicia's Gallery with eagle console from his home collection.

 

Thom Filicia at Kips Bay with Blogfest. Photo: Kravet

With Pamela O'Brien of Pamela Hope Design in the dining room designed by Todd Alexander Romano. Apple green French directoriere chairs with chair fabric by Brunschwig & Fils and a folk art Terra Cotta pineapple. 

This beautiful "dream" library (see above and photo below )is by Jamie Drake of Drake Design Associates and  features custom sofa and pillow fabric under an Andy Harper painting, "Winter Gate."  Custom built-in bookcases showcased by the gorgeous grasswcloth wallpaper and paint.

Even on a misty NY day, the views are spectacular from the terrace!

Must go now. I am trying to figure out how I can live in this gorgeous penthouse without anyone noticing! More yummy designs tomorrow!

My thanks to Kravet for including me in this fabulous three day Blogfest 2012 tour designed exclusively for interior design bloggers featuring the industry's top shelter magazines, A-list design celebrities and breathtaking venues. There were surprises around every turn and I truly experienced the very best of interior design in NYC!

Want to turn plain rooms into Spectacular Spaces? I can help. Contact me!