Celebrating its 12th anniversary, Holiday House takes up residence this year at the Charles A. Platt–designed townhouse at 125 East 65th Street. Though a holiday theme was more prominent in previous years, nowadays founder Iris Dankner prefers to give the participants room to explore their imaginations without the confines of a theme.
“It’s nice for designers to be able to create something without having a client to answer to,” the interior designer and breast cancer survivor says, adding that she still tries to ensure that the different spaces flow well together. And flow they do, in what amounts to a spectacular array of color and pattern. AD PRO has a sneak preview of this year's show house, which features 18 designer vignettes and benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Salon by Ally Coulter Designs
A glimpse of the custom Benjamin Moore robin’s-egg blue tint is all you need to guess the inspiration for Coulter’s opulent salon design, where precious jewels and glamorous Tiffany accoutrements help complete the Breakfast at Tiffany’s motif. Jimmy Choos, an antique French brass and rock crystal chandelier from David Duncan, and custom Italian velvet sofas and chairs from Rugiano amp up the glam factor.
Kitchen by Baltimore Design Group
Rather than try to camouflage the kitchen’s conspicuous ceiling sprinkler lines, Keith Baltimore applied a more audacious design theory: “If you want something to disappear, paint it red.” That crimson touch continues throughout the airy space, from the doors of the Alfonso Marina bar cabinet to the bowl of apples on the custom dining table, providing a striking contrast to the toilesque black-and-white Nobilis wall covering.
Living Room by Bennett Leifer Interiors
A recent visit to the Neues Palais in Potsdam, Germany, sparked Leifer’s living room concept, which explores how historic spaces evolve over time. Alongside antique portraits from Newel and a cherubic Pierre Frey Venus wall hanging, perhaps most eye-catching is the graffiti plastered across the walls conveying names and messages in honor of people touched by breast cancer.
Master Bedroom by Bjorn Bjornsson Interior Design
The circular Hästens bed and the undulating Christopher Guy wooden chaise are proof that Bjornsson avoided convention in his design for the master bedroom. Taking a stylistically diverse approach that he calls “eclectic modern with a French twist,” he combines irreverent artwork and furnishings with more traditional Gallic touches, like vases of lavender.
Garden by Elsa Soyars Interiors
Soyars took the townhouse’s previous incarnation as the China Institute and added a cosmopolitan twist to the courtyard, playing with textures and shapes to complement the pebble flooring. The dreamy “enchanted garden” features Dedon furniture for ample lounging.
Dining Room by Elsa Soyars Interiors
For the dining room, Soyars channeled the “pure fashion” of a Parisian salon by using luxe textures and rich colors—including a voluptuous Julian Chichester Parrot Sofa, Mona Lisa mosaic by Allison Eden, and table setting featuring pieces by Vista Alegre and Christian Lacroix.
Bedroom by Hilary Matt Interiors
Reveling in the freedom of not having to design to a client’s whims, Matt took the opportunity to blur the lines—or at least use them in myriad forms. Curves, squiggles, zigzags, and grids adorn the dramatic boudoir, which combines black and white with occasional pops of color in an aesthetic that’s part drama queen, part rock star.
Reception Room by Jasmine Lam Interior Design + Architecture
The sleek sitting room of an art collector was what Lam imagined when she created the reception room space, which follows a palette of cream and pale grays accented with copper, pink salmon, and dark amber. Large-scale works by James Austin Murray, Emma Donnersberg, Kristina Kossi, and Jeff Muhs bring the drama, while custom furniture and lighting by Holly Hunt, Roman Thomas, Michael Felix, FLOS, Matthew Studios, Matthew Fairbank Design, and Egg Collective infuse elegance.
Foyer by Lauren Berry Interior Design
Guests entering the home are greeted by a compelling neo-Expressionist work by Sherie’ Franssen in the foyer, which Berry describes as “a transition from the city life into a sophisticated interior space.” A Kelly Wearstler Cubist pendant hangs from the barrel-vault ceiling, while Nate Ricketts selenite hurricane lamps provide a more intimate glow.
Bar Lounge by Lewis Design Group
Don Draper would feel right at home in Barbara Lewis’s lounge, which harks back to the glamour and fun of late-1960s Manhattan. The luxe-kitsch decor—including a wall covering strewn with monkeys indulging in various hedonistic pleasures—adds to the “buzzy euphoria of brilliant company and an expertly made cocktail,” Lewis says.
Powder Room by MHM Interiors
For the garden-level powder room, Mariem Horchani charts the historical progression of pink, from the epitome of Renaissance femininity to a rallying hue for modern social movements such as anti-bullying and, of course, breast cancer research. A display wall of Barbies similarly charts the doll’s evolution from demure girl to powerful woman, while rich textures and dark sage tones make the light-handed use of pink pop.
Hallway by Nicola Rosendorff Interior Design
Sometimes you just need a space to sit down and ponder the art on the wall—and Rosendorff’s diminutive hallway nook is designed specifically for when that mood strikes. The serene space of “in-betweenness,” as Rosendorff puts it, evokes the soothing blue hues of the sky punctuated by splashes of invigorating color.
Nursery by Rooms by Zoya B
Instilling the adventurous spirit early in life, Zoya B’s nursery design—inspired by the elaborate constellation rug at the center—evokes dreams of treasure maps, jungle exploration (thanks to a ceiling-height stuffed giraffe), and Indiana Jones. The Plexi-Craft crib, lamp, and desk add an especially whimsical vibe.
Main Stairwell by Studio Neshama
True to her studio’s name (neshama is Hebrew for "soul"), Tathienne Kader envisaged a “well from within” feeling with her design for the landings and main stairwell, allowing for plenty of breathing room amid the art and furnishings. Warm acrylic paintings by Judy Rifka set an intimate tone, with a curvaceous John Lyle pendant light anchoring the ground-floor space, complemented by Matthew Fairbank sconces.
Staircase, Landing, and Powder Room by Tara Kantor
“Celestial chic” is Kantor’s mood of choice for her adjoining spaces, with lighting by Apparatus Studio, Matthew Fairbank, and Art and Guile, and a subtle ombre wall that graduates from taupe to blush as you climb the staircase.
Wellness Room by Iris Dankner
Dankner’s own contribution to the Holiday House design is in the wellness room known as The Purist Sanctuary, where various events will take place over the coming month. Lladró lighting, BoConcept furniture, and Phillip Jeffries wallpaper create an irresistibly calming atmosphere.
Meditation Room by Touijer Designs
Though peace comes in many forms, even the most monkey-minded are likely to find at least a sliver of it in this meditation room. For a touch of nature-gazing, Touijer Designs positioned custom moss panels by MossBoss NYC on one wall, while soothing ombré works by Hudson Valley artist Susan English perch on the other.
Master Lounge by Vanessa DeLeon Associates
If their decor is any indication, the imagined owner of DeLeon’s master lounge is a fascinating psychological study. An oversized Cage Chair sets the stage, as Deleon says, “tempting the individual to choose between captivity and freedom of leisurely play.” The moody ambience continues in the glistening Blatt Billiards table, cast-aluminum Orchid chairs from Bernhardt, and shadowy quartz wall cladding.
Holiday House will be on view until December 15.
