Style Takeaways From The Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2020 |

published 5 February 2020

The third annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House has opened its doors in Palm Beach, and the interiors on display are a hothouse of creative ideas.

The show house spotlights the talent of 19 interior designers who have transformed a plantation-style home, owned by interior designer Lars Bolander, into a captivating interior design display.Each designer was allocated a separate space within the property to showcase their individual design personalities, and given three months time to complete the transformation.

The South-African Dutch colonial-inspired dwelling is located at 260 Palmetto Lane in West Palm Beach, and is now a tropical fantasia of stunning interiors and lush gardens.Affectionately known as Bamboo Hill, the property has more than 8,700 square feet of interior space and nearly an acre of grounds.

The show house opened to the public on Saturday, February 1, and will remain on display through Sunday, March 1, 2020.

Here are some of our favourite style takeaways from the eccentric interiors on show.

1. PAINTED BOOKCASE

Interior designer Suzanne Kasler painted the entire wall of built-in bookshelves in bold bubblegum pink, which helps break up the bespoke de Gournay wallpaper and helps to define the space.

The pink also comes back in her choice of furniture and decorative cushions, while an artful mix of vintage French rattan and modern furnishings from her own collection for Hickory Chair complement the scenic garden mural.

2. INDOOR-OUTDOOR LIVING ROOMS

Interior designer Sherill Canet has transformed a covered veranda into a second living room, blurring the line between outdoors and in. Of course, that's easier to do when the property is based in sunny Florida, but zoning an outdoor space to make it more inviting is a good way to make the most of an under-used space.

The fact that this space is covered (and remains dry even in wet weather), meant that the designer could even go as far as giving the space a carpet, artworks and a chandelier. Opting for a green colour scheme and giving the space some potted trees helped to define it as a garden space. We also love her choice of sky blue on the ceiling.

Taking a similar tack, designer Jonathan Savage unveiled his design for the pool house space, where he also created a stunning outdoor living area. Curtains placed against the walls help to soften the look and make it more inviting, while a large artwork also helps to define this as a living space.

The entrance to the property connects the exterior and a central courtyard, so designer Alizee Brion decided to run with the indoor-outdoor theme, painting the walls with fern leaves and hanging tumbling plants.

The effect is a layered, tropical garden look.

Also bringing the outdoors in, designers Brian and Alexandra Brady decided to decorate the walls in the entrance room to look like windows. They used a combination of wallpaper and decorative paint to achieve the effect of classical columns and windows set into millwork. The palm tree wallpaper is Jim Thompson, and artist Paul Axelband painted the trompe l'oeil details around it.

3. GRAPHIC MONOCHROME

We love designer Javier Fernandez's use of graphic lines in this bathroom space. You'd think that a bold black ceiling, 3D weave-effect wallcoverings from Arte, wall panelling in high-gloss paint, a dizzying artwork by Fredy Villamil and a patterned floor might clash. But keeping to a monochrome colour palette cleverly ties this whole look together. Brass accents in the lighting, tap and handles bring warmth to proceedings.

He applies the same lesson in pairing graphic prints with 3D textures in his hallway design, sticking to a monochrome scheme with just the wood floor for colour.

4. WOW WALLS

Interior designer Joe Lucas certainly has a way with walls! In both of his room designs, the walls are used as a floor to ceiling canvas. He covered the walls of his "1940s French meets California meets Palm Beach" room in a graphic Fromental wallpaper, then incorporated the colours from that to determine the room's colour scheme.

Read Also:Our Pick Of The Best Wall Murals

He also decorated the walls in the bathroom, opting for floor-to-ceiling terrazzo in the shower, and a fun fish print wallpaper for the rest of the bathroom walls.

5. PARQUET CEILING

When faced with a room with low ceilings, designer Leta Austin Foster decided to top the room with a light, faux wood ceiling which draws the eyes up and makes the space look much airier. Plus, the wood adds warmth and makes the room look cosy.

She then used the iconic Mogadishu print from China Seas in turquoise to cover the walls, and framed the paper with matching turquoise gloss paint for the window frames and skirting.

Read Also:Statement Ceiling Ideas

6. BLUE KITCHEN

The blue kitchen trend is showing no signs of stopping, and in this blue kitchen design by Sarah Blank she complements the blue cabinetry by painting the extractor hood and coving in the same shade.

A long, antique wood table adds warmth, as do the rustic looking pots. The table also doubles as a kitchen island, without the cost.

Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.