Right next to Kathy Abbott's room at the
Kips Bay Decorator Show House is a wonderfully chic sitting room and bedroom by
Lichten Craig. I know I sound like a broken record but I really loved this room too! I think the fact that
Lichten Craig is an architecture and design firm is the reason that their room is full of so many wonderful details, starting with the sitting room floor. When I was reading over their notes, I was amazed to find out that the custom oak floor in the radiating squares pattern was finished and cut off site! I guess they definitely measured twice and cut once since it looks beautiful and sets the stage for the dramatic double door entrance into the bedroom.
What I noticed about the door were not only the square polished nickel hardware that the doors were built around but also the sleek
Art Deco Olive Knuckle hinges from
Von Morris. I also appreciated that all the screws on the hinges lined up as well. It's that attention to detail that will set a great architect or designer apart from the rest!
I also love that in the land of McMansions and cavernous bedrooms that this one feels cozy when you close the doors. I think it would make a perfect guestroom. The 1950's abstract painting is second in the show by Steven Pace. The other is in Donald Schermerhorn's room. It works well with the art in the sitting room which includes another abstract painting not seen in these photos.
What I thought was wallpaper is actually a silk cut velvet in a faux bois pattern from Schumacher that was used to upholster the walls. I have to tell you that I normally do not like cut velvet or faux bois ("fake wood") but it looks great in this room. I'm also impressed when a designer can make me think twice about something I would have usually written off. The unglazed bisque double gourd lamps are by everyone's favorite potter,
Christopher Spitzmiller. I love the symmetry of the windows, lamps, bedside tables and benches at the end of the bed.
I think future Kips Bay Decorator Show Houses are going to have a lot to live up to since this one seems to be one of the best in many years. I am so happy that it introduced me to so many wonderful designers and I can't wait to check out the
Lichten Craig website to see what other chic homes they have created!
Even the bathrooms at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House are chic and stylish! I especially loved the "his master bathroom" designed by GunkelmanFlesher. The firm is was founded in Minneapolis and has a design style that runs from traditional to contemporary which means that their work is tailored to each specific space. It's this mix of elements that works so well in this bathroom too.
First, the walls were treated in a cement finish that add a rough and masculine texture to them. It's a very unique wall treatment that sets the stage for all the other materials. This bookcase is metal, the chair is rope, the chair on the other side is leather, the rug is a natural woven material, the vanity is wood as is the floor in the room and shower, and they all work perfectly together. The materials are masculine but I love that the room isn't too masculine.
I love that the bathroom is treated as a real room which includes furniture and art. It's also a large room and I appreciate that they tucked the shower and toilets behind the vanity wall. I think it's nice if the toilet is not the first thing you see when you walk into a bathroom.
I loved the teak floor in the shower and wooden cubes. Of course you wouldn't shower with a vase of forsythia but I think it adds another wonderful natural element to the room. I think the entire room was really well thought out and even though it's a man's bathroom, I wouldn't mind using it too! I had a chance to meet Andrew Flesher of GunkelmanFlesher and he couldn't have been nicer. Since they have recently opened a New York office, I have a feeling that we're going to be seeing a lot more from this talented team!
"Her Bathroom" across the hall designed by Shields & Company couldn't be any different but it's still very chic! I can only imagine how much time and effort went into designing an entire room in this Dahlia floral pattern mosaic tiles by SICIS! It's amazing! And the best part of the Kips Bay Decorator Show House is that there is something for everyone!
