The Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach has unveiled an unprecedented dual showcase, presenting not one, but two distinct properties brimming with innovative design. This year's event, a spectacular display of creativity, features a sprawling waterfront bungalow and a quaint cottage directly opposite, both reimagined by a collective of 23 renowned interior and landscape design firms. Beyond aesthetic marvels, the initiative serves a noble cause, raising essential funds for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, inviting design enthusiasts to explore these transformed spaces through March 24.
A Symphony of Style: Exploring the Kips Bay Decorator Show Houses
In the heart of Palm Beach, Florida, the Kips Bay Decorator Show House offers a captivating journey through cutting-edge interior and landscape design, running until March 24. This year, the event made history by presenting two properties: a magnificent waterfront bungalow situated at 3410 North Flagler Drive, and a charming cottage just across the street. These twin venues collectively highlight the imaginative prowess of 23 design and landscaping firms.
Inside the waterfront bungalow, visitors encounter a harmonious blend of classic sophistication and contemporary artistry. Sergio Mercado, from San Francisco’s Bamo Design Studio, crafted an ethereal sunroom within the Intracoastal House. His design features a captivating slatted ceiling that casts dynamic shadows, complementing a distinctive Gio Ponti-inspired floor adorned with various stone types. Mercado revealed, "Surrealist aesthetics heavily influenced our vision." The wave motif extends to Harlequin Belgian linen curtains, subtly interwoven with silver metallic threads, adding a touch of modern glamour.
Rayana Schmitz of Coconut Creek, Florida-based Firefinish Interiors drew inspiration from a seashell-patterned tile by Artistic Tile for her bathroom design. "Its geometric, almost architectural quality, resonated deeply with our design philosophy," Schmitz explained. A chartreuse ceramic chandelier from Entler introduces a vibrant contrast, guiding the eye toward an outdoor shower lavishly covered in citron yellow Zellige tile by Otto Tiles, an invigorating extension of the serene indoor space.
Citron emerged as a signature color this season. Pappas Miron Design, a New York City firm, ingeniously paired it with plum in their lounge, offering a fresh interpretation of Palm Beach’s vibrant palette. Principal Tatyana Miron described the room, with its burnished lime, plaster wax-finished walls, as an antique haven. It houses vintage treasures personally selected during the firm’s annual excursions to Parma, Italy, alongside cushions crafted from a silk textile remnant from Miron’s childhood home in Detroit, infusing the space with a rich narrative.
In her spacious great room, Miami-based designer Deborah Wecselman of Wecselman Design showcased a deeply personal collection, including artworks and her own Ralph Pucci chairs, exquisitely reupholstered in mint alpaca fur—a subtle tribute to her Peruvian heritage. A handwoven textile by Colombian artist Olga de Amaral serves as a focal point, flanked by a custom sculptural sofa from Pivot Home and a meticulously hand-polished marble and bronze Artemest coffee table. Wecselman, whose impressive career includes a decade shaping the interiors of Ralph Lauren flagships globally, emphasized, "Layering is fundamental to my design approach."
Across the property, Philadelphia-based Tartan & Toile, under principal Lucy O’Brien, demonstrated mastery in layering by integrating multiple wallpapers from Kravet, de Gournay, and Gracie within the intimate vestibule and bathroom areas. O’Brien shared, "Employing numerous wallpapers and dramatic fabrics in a confined space paradoxically enhances its presence." Elegant Pierre Frey drapery on the windows creates a cohesive and inviting atmosphere, making these smaller areas feel expansive and thoughtfully connected.
The waterfront backyard was transformed by Birmingham’s River Brook architecture and interiors firm. An existing tiki hut was reborn as a luxurious entertaining cabana, featuring yellow Schumacher stripes and a striking pink marble-wrapped bar. Principal Leigh Misso envisioned it as "an outdoor extension of the home." For the pool area, Bell Design, a landscape architecture firm, collaborated with Brooklyn-based fabricator Belt Metal to create a show-stopping brass fish bar, which ingeniously folds into a metallic sculpture, reminiscent of Lalanne’s whimsical art. Bell Design also curated the home’s front exterior, adding a charming children’s tree house and an outdoor wellness retreat designed in partnership with Kohler.
Across North Flagler Drive, the quaint Palm Cottage provided a canvas for bold design. Steven Walsh, the designer, embraced its petite scale to maximize impact. His bathroom features full marble slabs, presented in two distinct finishes, creating a luxurious and immersive experience. In the adjoining hallway, Walsh introduced three-dimensional botanical plaster relief panels and intricate brass inlay patterns into the home’s original terrazzo floors, blending historical charm with contemporary elegance.
Amy Young Designs, led by principal Amy Lee McArdle, infused the breakfast room and kitchen with warm desert tones. McArdle, typically inclined towards neutral palettes, described the vibrant color scheme as a "fun challenge." The kitchen is distinguished by maroon Velour Quartzite, seamlessly extending from countertops to bull-nose-edged shelving and the range hood, all sourced from Primstones and expertly fabricated by Innovative Stone Design. The breakfast room, which McArdle affectionately named "The Breakfast Club, After Hours," radiates brilliance from floor to ceiling, crowned by a Larose Guyon Abysse 03 chandelier suspended from a polished plaster ceiling. Despite its compact dimensions, the space makes a powerful statement, embodying the essence of a show house room.
The Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach offers a rich tapestry of design innovation and philanthropic commitment, promising a truly inspiring experience for all.
The Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach is not merely an exhibition of beautiful spaces; it is a profound testament to the power of design to inspire, innovate, and give back to the community. Witnessing the transformation of these two unique properties—from the grand waterfront bungalow to the intimate cottage—highlights the diverse talents within the design world. Each room tells a story, a harmonious blend of personal expression and collective vision. This event serves as a vivid reminder that true luxury often lies in thoughtful detail, the courage to experiment with color and texture, and the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living. It underscores the importance of supporting artistic endeavors that also uplift and enrich the lives of others, making every visit a contribution to a greater cause.