Celebrating the Kips Bay Decorate Show House

The 40th anniversary of the Kips Bay Decorator Show House kicked off on Monday night with the President's Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental. Nearly 500 guests filled the ballroom, including: Margaret Russell, John McEnroe, Dennis Basso, Lauren Dupont, Bunny Williams, Jeremiah Goodman, Charlotte Moss, Doug Wilson, Thom Filicia, Bettina Zilkha, Peter & Jamee Gregory, Valentin & Yaz Hernandez, as well as gala co-chairs Jamie Drake, Aerin Lauder, Victoria Hagan and Richard Mishaan. The evening was sponsored by Architectural Digest.

Jim Druckman, Bunny Williams, Jamie Drake, Aerin Lauder, Richard Mishaan



Charlotte Moss



Richard Mishaan and Margaret Russell



For the first time, this year's showhouse, chaired by Bunny Williams, will be in a luxury high-rise on the west side, the Aldyn on Riverside Boulevard between 62nd and 63rd Streets. The space measures 11,488 interior square feet and 7,480 exterior square feet and will present the work of thirty-two designers, including some of our favorites:
Alexander Doherty Design; Andrew Tedesco Studios Inc.; Brian del Toro Inc.; Brian J. McCarthy Inc.; Bryant Keller; Bunny Williams Inc.; Charles Pavarini III Design; Charlotte Moss, LLC;
 Chuck Fischer Studio, Inc.; Coffinier Ku Design; David Kleinberg Design Associates; David Scott Interiors; Gunn Landscape Architecture and Vert Gardens; James Rixner Inc; Jamie Drake/ Drake Design Associates; Laura Bohn Design Associates; Lynne Scalo Design; Mark Hampton LLC; Monica Rich Kosann Photography; Neal Beckstedt Studio; Patrik Lonn Design Inc.; Raji Radhakrishnan/ Raji RM & Associates; Robert Schwartz and Karen Williams for St Charles; Scott Sanders LLC; Shawn Henderson Interior Design; Susan Zises Green, Inc.; Thom Filicia Inc.; Timothy & Associates Interior Design; Todd Alexander Romano; Zoya Bograd of Rooms by Zoya B.

Victoria Hagan


The show house will be open to the public May 16-June 14, seven days a week. Over four decades, the show houses have raised more than $17 for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club.


All photographs by Patrick McMullan.

DCH Market Buzz: Charlotte Moss Defines 'Pretty' (Part 2)

Yesterday, we shared some fun things about the Decorative Center Houston's Fall Market Keynote with Charlotte Moss in the Fabricut showroom. Hosted by House Beautiful, the Keynote deliberated on the theme When Did 'Pretty' Become a Bad Word? Editor in Chief of House Beautiful Newell Turner moderated a panel featuring designers Charlotte Moss and Suzanne Kasler in the Fabricut showroom.

An interior design student at Stephen F. Austin State University, Donna Youngblood attended the DCH Market and shared with us what the all-star panelists and moderator had to say about the meaning of “pretty.”

By Donna Youngblood

Beginning with Newell Turner who moderated the Keynote discussion, Newell spoke first of his editorial vision for House Beautiful magazine. Through the use of QR coding, House Beautiful has incorporated a new dimension to the story by connecting visual to the page. People are now able to see “the view through the window.” This led to how Newel views the word “pretty,” which, as he explained, is a perpetual aim of the magazine to be considered.

"The word 'pretty' should be understood as really living a pretty life," said Newell. "At House Beautiful, we want you to live a beautiful, pretty life.”

According to Suzanne Kasler, defining “pretty” today is a mixture of combining textures and patterns along with color. Suzanne combines textures and patterns along with color, for example, pairing silk wallpaper with linen drapery.

"Don’t be afraid to mix the modern with the traditional or to use a color such as raspberry pink," Suzanne said. "Making something pretty is all about the details—the details pull the room together and make it pretty!"

According to Charlotte Moss,  “pretty”is more than a description; it is a point of view. "Designers go out to create great work and pray like hell it will be pretty!" Charlotte said. "We should speak what we think and do what we feel. It’s all about making things pretty for people, family and friends! Pretty is about generosity and about our attitude. Don't forget, I'm from the 'more is more' school of thought and I love pretty!"

DCH Market Buzz: Charlotte Moss Defines 'Pretty' (Part 1 of 2)

Decorative Center Houston's Fall Market may be over, but the buzz from the phenomenal day isn't. We got the scoop on Keynotes and Market seminars that have all of the Cohen Design Centers abuzz.

The DCH Fall Market Keynote, hosted by House Beautiful, asked its audience When Did 'Pretty' Become a Bad Word? House Beautiful Editor in Chief Newell Turner moderated the panel, which featured acclaimed designers Charlotte Moss and Suzanne Kasler in the Fabricut showroom.

Before the keynote began, Charlotte was singing the DCH's praises and chatting the audience up about her thoughts on Fabricut. "Everything is so beautifully organized here!" said Charlotte. "We've got a crowd that is out the door of the [Fabricut] showroom, and we're talking about 'pretty,' how fabulous!"

The keynote discussions denounced the idea of calling something 'pretty' just to throw a descriptive word at design and enriched the audiences understanding of what 'pretty' used to, and still should, mean.

"The word 'pretty' implies that something is marvelous and beautiful," said Charlotte. "It doesn't mean dainty or girlish or simple, it means that it's appealing and charming and tasteful. We can't forget this!"

Following the keynote, Charlotte told Sharon Bickle, vice president of showrooms for Fabricut, that the audience "could not have been more positive and delightful."

"So many people followed Charlotte [to the reception] after the keynote address," Sharon said. "Those of us at Fabricut were thrilled with the wonderful turn out for Charlotte’s book signing and the response from Charlotte’s new fabric collection. People are so fascinated by her and look to her for decorating inspiration.”

After participating in the House Beautiful Design Institute panel with Newell and Suzanne, Charlotte graciously spent a few hours in the Fabricut showroom signing her new book Charlotte Moss Decorates and talking to both consumers and designers about her new fabric and trimmings collection for Fabricut.

Check back tomorrow with GoDesignGo for more from Charlotte Moss and the panel on what 'Pretty' really means.

Fall Market Buzz: Charlotte Moss Speaks Inspiration at Fabricut

Fabricut was packed to capacity for Charlotte Moss' presentation of luxury fabrics and unveiling of her collection with Fabricut. A book signing of her newest book, Charlotte Moss Decorates, which nearly sold out during her presentation, followed the event.

Charlotte began her discussion urging her audience to embrace the philosophy that she lives by: "to live passionately, decorate luxuriously and always, always entertain beautifully."

"My first collection through Fabricut stresses the decadence of life and the intimacy of fabrics," said Charlotte. "Decorating is about luxury and love for your home, your guests and the company you keep. Entertain brilliantly and love every minute of it!"

Charlotte unveiled her 100-sku collection, which was brimming with alluring wovens, divine prints and stunning trimmings in crisp, refreshing colorways. Charlotte's inspirations came to life in the form of fabrics and interiors in the Fabricut showroom as she went through the collection and shared the names of her fabrics, all of which were named after women.

"My inspiration came from the beautiful women around me," said Charlotte. "Not to mention, wicker baskets in my garage and everyday items, like Hamacas!"

Stay tuned for more on Fall Market Buzz at the DDB on GoDesignGo.

Charlotte Moss’ Unexpected Muse

If you checked out Stark's newly-installed window display in the DDB's lobby, you are in for a treat. Designed by Charlotte Moss herself, the exotic and colorful tent-like structure shows off the designer’s newly introduced Passport Collection, inspired by her travels in Istanbul.

“My muse, which is traveling, is like a siren. It's always tugging at the ankle," Charlotte explained. "A tent is an image that evokes journey, voyage, exploration and discoveries. It evokes new worlds, people and things.”

It’s no surprise that Charlotte’s design philosophy is to live passionately, decorate luxuriously, entertain beautifully—and always maintain a sense of humor through it all.

The Passport Collection is available at Stark in the DDB, PDC, DCH or at the Brunschwig & Fils in the DCOTA.

Charlotte Moss' ‘The Passport Collection’ now at Stark

For their second collaboration, Stark and Charlotte Moss have created an exotic wool-based line of rugs. Charlotte’s designs for woven sisals were introduced earlier this year.

The designs incorporate a fresh take on the classic ikat fabrics palette with cool shades of aqua, citrus, raspberry, and tonal graduations in blues and beiges. We like to think of it as bringing a delicious piece of history into the modern home.

Charlotte designed these hand-knotted carpets after a vacation in Istanbul where she was inspired by the beautiful patterns and colors of vintage ikat silks from Uzbekistan and other distant lands.

“Charlotte has successfully captured the native cultures of two continents with the exotic patterns in her new collection of ikat designs that were created especially for Stark,” says John Stark, Chairman of Stark. “The balance of color and classical motifs further exemplify her unlimited design talents.”

In addition to designing carpets for Stark, Charlotte Moss has created fragrances for Agraria, china for Pickard, decorative accessories and jewelry for Halcyon Days and fabrics for Fabricut (Fall 2011).   Charlotte’s seventh book, Charlotte Moss Decorates, will be released in April by Rizzoli International.

For more information, please contact Amy Slimak Whittle at (212) 752.9000