Brave Decorating Ideas From the NYC Holiday House

Dozens of shiny deep orange Mylar balloons, stylish bars stocked with champagne and plush lounge spaces ready to embrace the late-night partier are just a handful of design details on display by 28 designers in this year’s NYC Holiday House.

The show house is not intended to have a unified whole-house design; instead, each designer is expected to push the envelope in a distinct, assigned space. The house is part of a sixth annual fundraiser benefiting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Here’s a look at 10 of our favorite spaces and some tips for adding a few designer touches to your own home for the holidays.

2013 NYC Holiday House: Academy Mansion, 2 E. 63rd St., Manhattan; through December 18, 2013; open daily
11 a.m.–5 p.m. (until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays); $35 general admission. More info

See more photos from this year’s show house

Golden Anniversary
Designer: Mario Buatta

If you have a grand entry, try placing garland on the stair railing to greet arriving guests. Buatta used a grand magnolia-leaf garland that extends the whole length. You can also use salal (available through florists), boxwood or pine, mixing in natural elements such as pinecones, acorns, juniper berries or dried citrus slices.

The greens should last a few weeks before drying out, but pinecones and even dried citrus can be saved for next year.

In celebration of his new book, Mario Buatta: 50 Years of American Interior Decoration, the designer installed artistic wallpaper depicting his apartment, originally featured in Architectural Digest in 1974.


New Year’s Day
Designer: J. Cohler Mason

Designer Jennifer Cohler Mason’s space is meant for ringing in the New Year. With soft gray wallpaper hugging the walls, she created a festive atmosphere through colorful artwork and accessories.

Mason advises to try mixing patterns with your rug and pillows. “Mix menswear fabrics, like plaids or tweeds, with feminine solid velvets or silks,” she says. Here she contrasted a geometric chevron pattern with a punch of hot pink.

Tip: Add wallpaper to the ceiling (the fifth wall) for an unexpected detail.

Sofa fabric: Christopher Hyland; wallpaper: Phillip Jeffries; ceiling wallpaper: Maya Romanoff; framed photo: “Le Grand Véfour, Paris,” by Matthew Pillsbury, Bonnie Benrubi Gallery


30th Anniversary
Designer: Cullman & Kravis (this photo and next)

Nothing says party like balloons. The design team started by floating a collection of Mylar balloons to match their palette of orange, cream and metallics. The color palette is inspired by the cover photo from the company’s newest book, The Detailed Interior: Decorating Up Close. Lucite panels on the ceiling keep the helium balloons corralled in one spot.

Artwork: “Square Vision,” by Mindy Shapero


Roman shades made with Italian fabric in a geometric pattern are paired with orange silk drapes embellished with decorative trim from M&J Trimming.

Designer Ellie Cullman of Cullman & Kravis added Phillip Jeffries wallpaper to the room’s existing picture frame molding with decorative nailhead trim to frame it for a metallic touch. The faux cake is to honor the design firm’s 30th anniversary.

A champagne station lets guests fill up their glasses when it’s time to count down to the new year.

Painting: “013, 2012-13,” by Suzanne Caporael


Aftermath Lounge (December 25th, 10 p.m.)
Designer: Scott Formby

Designer Scott Formby stuck with a strict black and red palette for his lounge space — even selecting a choice bowl of pomegranates to match for a natural touch. The rich colors and textures create a moody and romantic feel, perfect for lounging after opening gifts.

Tip: Seasonal fruits can also double as party favors or be used as an ingredient in a holiday recipe.


Suite Dreams
Designer: Campion Platt

You can also keep things minimalist and let a tray of persimmons stand out, like the team at Campion Platt did. The artwork on the wall is by Jorge Mayet, titled “Free Fall II”; it’s made out of electrical wire, papier-mâché, paper and fabric.


Celebrate the Holidays
Designer: Gregory Allan Cramer

With a Christmas Eve birthday, designer Gregory Allan Cramer has a special fondness for this time of year. His space is dedicated to his late aunt Lorraine, who died of breast cancer. The entire space is blanketed in a vivid fuchsia, a color signifying love, health, family and friends.

“Try something new and different this year and incorporate a jewel-tone palette,” says Cramer. “Deck your tree with fuchsia ornaments, candles for your coffee table and accent pieces such as a chair, rug or throw pillows.”


A Child’s Bedroom at Christmas
Designer: Tinatin Kilaberidze

Keep your tree decorations simple this year with a handmade paper garland. Try spelling out something like “Happy Holidays,” as Kilaberidze did, or create paper snowflakes to hang.


Casablanca Christmas
Designers: Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper

Designers Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper advise adding a designated drinks station. Here they added a glossy black console plus glasses at the ready for a holiday toast.

Tip: Place an assortment of ornaments in your plant stands to add glam and sparkle.


Madrugada
Designer: Stephen Bastone

Designer Stephen Bastone complemented the dining room’s original woodwork and traditional molding details with a muted green and brown palette.

Tip: Stagger candlesticks with different heights between bowls of moss and vases of traditional red roses. The key to pulling this off is placing vessels of all different sizes across the table.

Porcelain: Bardith; rug: antique, Beauvais; textiles, trimmings: custom, Christopher Hyland; furniture: Newel and Alexander’s Antiques


My First Apartment
Designer: James Rixner

The colors and furniture in designer James Rixner’s room express a youthful, hip approach to the holidays. “I think the true artistry in this room is expressed both in the palette of fabrics and paints as well as the artful play between grand traditional and cool contemporary,” says Rixner. “This is the new eclecticism at its best.”

Tip: Keep a cozy throw within reach for guests who may crash on your couch after a holiday party.


New Year’s Eve
Designer: Susanna Salk

Designer Susanna Salk created a room “for a worldly young woman coming home after a journey filled with excitement and laughter,” inspired by a photo she saw on Instagram of a young world traveler.

With peacock feather wallpaper and an authentic Louis Vuitton trunk as a coffee table, she strived to make a room that “cocoons but also encourages her to seek out the next adventure,” Salk says.


’Tis the Season
Designer: Ally Coulter

Designer Ally Coulter’s lounge space is for sports enthusiasts. NFL pieces like gloves once belonging to New York Jets player Santonio Holmes and a Vince Lombardi Super Bowl trophy act as decor, while hurricanes full of holiday candy help to create a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.


The Blue Angel
Designer: Studio Tim Campbell

Taking inspiration from the film The Blue Angel, designer Tim Campbell set out to achieve a modern interpretation of transformation, decadence and desire.

When night falls, set the mood in your living room with elegant candles. Low lighting offers an intimate feel that’s perfect for relaxing after a long day of entertaining.

Tip: Place side baskets with seasonal greenery, like pine and red berries or juniper sprigs, throughout your room to keep it fragrant and fresh.


Nothing says the holidays like a traditional display of green and red, as shown at the entrance to this year’s show house. Pine garlands and wreaths adorned with velvety red bows and glossy Christmas ornaments emit fragrance and convey that holiday spirit.

See more photos of this show house

More: 100-plus holiday decorating ideas

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