Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2012: Welcome!

I always think it's fun to start off my Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2012 posts with the entry as a true welcome. Interior designer Bryant Keller clad the walls in the famous Scalamandre Zebras wallpaper in Masai Red that are a definitely a lovely way to begin your tour.  I loved all the little touches in his space like the red purse with matching scarf sitting by the bench and the beautiful Chinoiserie screen and cabinet.  

As I've mentioned before, this year's "house" is actually in two duplex penthouse apartments at The Aldyn.  Since most New Yorkers live in apartments, I actually prefer this type of setting since it gives you real ideas that you can use in your own space or that of a client. I am always especially interested to see how the designers deal with those awful HVAC ducts that are prevalent in contemporary architecture as well as the lack of actual architectural details. 

Perhaps because it's the 40th Anniversary of the Kips Bay Decorator Show House or that it's in honor of legendary designer Albert Hadley, the spaces are truly the most elegant I've ever seen.  All of the designers went above and beyond which is even more amazing considering how little time they had to design and complete their rooms.  They should all be proud of their accomplishments and I hope you stop by for a visit.

Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2012

The Aldyn Residences

60 Riverside Boulevard

bet. 62nd and 63rd Streets

May 16 - June 14, 2012

Monday - Saturday 11:00am - 5:00pm

Tuesday and Thursday 11:00 - 8:00pm

Tickets $30

Designer Keller Bryant

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Yellow Zebra Wallpaper

Ask and ye shall receive! One of my lovely readers, Liz Banfield, just had her bathroom papered in the yellow colorway of the Zebra wallpaper from Scalamandre was kind enough to allow me to share it with you. I've never seen the yellow used before and I think it looks really fresh. I love that this paper is fun but still looks sophisticated. I have to also give credit to the interior designer on the project Janet Gridley of Gridley Vaughan. Great work!

That Wallpaper

Sometimes I just assume that my readers have already read about something so I don't mention it. But apparently not everyone does know about the zebra wallpaper that was featured in one of Kate and Andy Spade's bathroom above because I've had quite a few people email me about it. The Zebra wallpaper is available from Scalamandre and has a fun back story.

Gino Circiello, who although born in Buenes Aires had an Italian father who worked as a chef so after he immigrated to the United States, Gino decided to open an Italian restaurant at 780 Lexington Avenue in New York with two of his friends. According to The New York Times, "Mr. Circiello was a hunter without the means to pay for an African safari, but he reasoned that he could at least afford zebras on his wallpaper." He commissioned his friend Franco Scalamandre to design wallpaper depicting leaping zebras pursued by arrows. The wallpaper is now synonymous with Gino's and made the place a New York institution. I often walk by it but have yet to eat there so I think I might have to make a reservation soon!

I have also read that Wes Anderson was a huge fan of the zebra wallpaper which is why he used it for Margot Tanenbaum's bedroom and bathroom in the movie The Royal Tanenbaums.

The zebra wallpaper was recently seen in the December issue of ELLE DECOR in a powder room designed by Miles Redd.

Interior designer Lindsey Coral Harper also used the iconic zebra wallpaper in her bathroom.

In addition to the original Masai Red color and the Serengeti Green in the Spades bathroom, it also comes in Zanzibar Gold and Safari Brown. I've never seen anyone use these colors though so if you have, please let me know. The best part of the story of Gino's is that Mr. Circiello's restaurant was a huge success and he was finally able to afford that trip to Africa! I love a story with a happy ending!