Kips Bay Showhouse NYC

While in NYC for the the Modenus Blog Tour trip we visited the annual New York Kips Bay Designer House. What a treat! There are always some great over the top rooms. Take a peak:

Bridget Beari in NYC from Bridget Beari Designs on Vimeo.

What is your favorite room? What makes a great showhouse room? We have this discussion at the office all the time. Should they be pretty? Intriguing? Cutting edge?

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

A Show House the NYC Way!

Another trip to NYC this week to visit the Kips Bay Show House. This show house is always a treat.  It showcases the top designers in NYC and the Northeast. 

This year it is a townhouse while last year it was an apartment. 

Gomez and Associates  - Living Room

The artwork in the hallway was incredible. The designer was Judy King. 

 The hallway was unusual  - drapery pattern with the hide rug pattern - very bold. This was Andrew Suvalsky. 

                                                              The hide rug

                                                       The sitting room off the hallway

                                           More lacquer in the powder room - 

          Loved the artwork - I think this is the same artist as the teen room in the DC show house. 

The dining room was done by one of my favorite designers - Kristen McGinnis

Love the lacquer walls, Maya Romanoff ceiling

The chandelier was super cool ...... Check out the deconstructed buffet, a knock out! 

I loved the bar and the small back room too by Dineen Architecture. This halogram artwork  was wind. I loved the details on the bar. 

Another lacquered ceiling - love that drapery fabric. I ordered a memo as soon as I was back in the office. 

Cool sketchy wallpaper

Vintage lights

 The James Huniford sunroom - he has a new furniture line coming out. I can't wait to view that collection. 

My fellow Fine Paint brother - Christopher Peacock's Kitchen. 

The second floor had this beautiful sitting room - great artwork, suede block walls, vintage light fixture, deep daybed, and pops of orange. Even a curtain detail that I loved. 

The 2 outdoor balconies were minimal and clean. Loved the grass wall and the koi pond by WCA Architects. 

A complete departure in the house for the Kathryn Ireland bedroom. I love her new ad for Scalamandre - she's a hoot! I thought you needed at least another traditional designer for another room to complement this style but just my option. 

A pretty gold and white room on top by Barbara Ostrom  

A modern Eve Robinson TV room - lavender lacquer ceiling. Loved the pendants! 

And let's not forget the fish room by Jack Levy

Until next year .....

                                                        Happy Travels ..........

NYC Here We Come Again!

I'm on my way back to NYC for the Kravet / Lee Jofa Blog Fest 2011. Only 100 bloggers have been invited to this exclusive meet and greet with designers, vendors and more. I am the only designer from Virginia going. I am hoping to meet new friends and see some old friends too. 

The week is full of great plans from a Walk in Central Park, tea with Barbara Barry, breakfast with Margaret Russell, invites to the Design TV party, Subzero party, ICFF, Kips Bay Showhouse and more! 

I also have my top 5 things I love to do in  NYC: 

1. Visit Pure Wine and Food, the raw restaurant but this time and am going to One Lucky Duck the retail store. We are driving to NYC this time so I can stock up on many goodies. 

2. Visit the 1stdibs showroom - I just love 1stdibs online but now in person - FAB!

3. Bergdorf Goodman's  - I always love to see the latest in fashion and eat at the Kelly Wearstler designed Goodman's cafe

4. Pearl Oyster Bar - oh how I love raw oysters!

5. Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse - This is a treat I have never been. I am excited to see all the A list designers at work. 

Be sure to follow me on facebook and twitter. I'll let you know the play by play of the week. 

Blog Fest 2011

5 weeks until Blog Fest 2011 in NYC. Who's attending? 

The agenda is packed with a breakfast featuring Architectural Digest editor Margaret Russell, tours of the Kravet/Lee Jofa studios, Tea with Barbara Barry, lunch hosted by House Beautiful, and talks featuring Newell Turner, editor of House Beautiful and Dara Caponigro, editor of Veranda

I don't know where I'm staying yet? Any suggestions? 

Babycakes!

Just back from a shopping trip in NYC. I saw tons of great things for Mexico and the new house I'm doing in Richmond - a Bottomley designed 1920s house ( 17,000 sq. ft! )

But I want to talk about my $40 cab ride to buy a $5.00 cupcake!!!!! I knew about Babycakes from their cookbook and wanted to stop in to sample the real thing. Let's just say that cab ride was worth every penny! They have more than cupcakes too - doughnuts, breads, etc. All vegan and mostly gluten free, wheat free and white sugar free etc. You must check them out if you are in the Big City!!