Guest Blogger: Patrick J. Hamilton on Avoiding Design Clichés at Holiday House (Part 2)

Guest Blogger and AskPatrick writer Patrick J. Hamilton recently had the opportunity to attend this year's Holiday House 2011. Yesterday, Patrick began telling us about the fatal flaws of designing clichés and today, Patrick is sharing with us how designers at Holiday House pulled all the right stops to avoid them.

By Patrick J. Hamilton

Holiday House veteran James Rixner took a sweet route for Valentine’s Day, pulling his palette from what he calls “the real reason we all love Valentine’s Day: chocolate!” With nary a heart or cupid to be found (although the large painting could indeed depict a stylized engagement ring), Rixner ran the room through a chic Willy Wonka filter, with milk chocolate walls and white molding that looked like it had been piped on by a cake decorator, and a vanilla-on-chocolate rug, filling the room like frosting.

James even drew from the iconic box of chocolates without getting all saccharine with a sweeping tufted chairs, also evoking a perfect pair of chocolate-covered cherries. James steered clear of the obvious by veering away from construction-paper-red, adding a bit of orange to end up with a deep and fiery color, one notch past coral. (Above)

Andreea Avram Rusu of Avram Rusu Interiors took an even more subtle approach to her holiday’s theme. New Year’s confetti, fireworks, glitz and glamour are all here, but stylized and tempered in a curated mix of antique, vintage and modern, with a dash of organic inspiration. Elements throughout, like the artwork and her custom overhead lights— brass disks shimmering like a party-ready Sputnik— are a nod to sparklers, special occasion jewelry, champagne bubbles, and the Times Square ball drop, but without the slightest tack.

Pieces that shouldn’t work together, do… the DESIGNLUSH Waterfall Writing Desk with French Deco chairs and vintage radio, their three-part harmony facilitated by shared wood tones and elegant curve. Rick Lee’s Media Group sofa (also courtesy DESIGNLUSH) shares an almost 70’s glam vibe with the brassy (in a good way) Carini Lang carpet, looking like slices of geodes or super-sized confetti. All glowing against a moody gray wall paper and floors darkened by the designer, it’s a move-in ready, collected-over-time room that would be a marvelous way to start any new year.

Guest Blogger: Julieta Alvarez Shares Highlights from Holiday House (Part 3)

We're getting the inside scoop on this year's Holiday House 2011 from Guest Blogger and DesignIntake writer Julieta Alvarez. Holiday House will be open through December 11, 2011, but if you haven't gotten to see it just yet, here's a look at what Julieta loved.

By Julieta Alvarez

Andreea Avram Rusu is not only an interior designer but an architect and lighting designer as well. Andreea designed all the lighting and the art deco dividers in the room she designed. The palette is sophisticated, warm and unisex. I especially love her choice of colors that made the room fun, fancy and creative. . The metallics are a perfect addition to the nubby wallpaper and art deco furniture. I think it would make for a great space to celebrate many occasion, but especially what Andreea used for her inspiration—New Year's Eve!

I love a room that makes me feel like I should relax and pamper myself! This room, designed by Bittt, made me want to treat myself to chocolate, strawberries and Champagne with my girlfriends! The chocolate-colored walls are warm yet fresh and the accessories and curtains in tones of strawberry and pink make the room devilishly feminine in a confident, tactful way. I love the sparkly, glittering elements like the bronze chair, desk and chandelier, all of which beckon me to wish for a glass of bubbly in hand! What a decadent and feminine room—bravo Bittt!

Check back with GoDesignGo for more from Julieta and check out her design blog to see what else she's been up to.

Guest Blogger: Julieta Alvarez Shares Highlights from Holiday House (Part 2)

Guest Blogger and DesignIntake writer Julieta Alvarez is sharing her highlights of this year's Holiday House 2011. Here's more from Julieta about the rooms she especially loved.

By Julieta Alvarez

Inspired by the Chinese New Year, Inson Wood designed a fabulous room with examples of nearly everything I think to be essential in design. The room had the best furniture and art in the house, in my opinion. The room showcased a Ruhlman desk and cabinet, Fromental wallpaper (the best embroidered wallpaper, by the way), art by Jeff Koons, fabrics by Donghia—name what you love and this room had it. The super glossy red on the walls made this one of the most vibrant rooms in the house. I also happened to love the porcelain puppy centerpiece atop a fabulous coffee table!

The multifaceted and talented Suzanne Eason designed another one of my favorite rooms. Suzanne is an interior designer, creative director and a graphic designer. She also spoke perfect Spanish!

In Suzanne's Halloween-inspired room, wallpaper of black birds on a white background from Trove covered the entire ceiling and played the main role in the room. Black and white photography by Chip Forelli and Stark Carpets covered the rest of the surfaces and accessories like orange Hermés boxes and luxurious scents finished the room.

A super refreshing thing to see in the Holiday House this year was a room designed in a masculine theme. Of the more masculine design styles, talented architects Thomas Hickey and Edward Yedid’s room was far darker than many others, complete with chilling art and minimal patterns.

Tomorrow, Julieta tells us which feminine room she would love to spend a girl’s afternoon in and where art deco design looked best in the 2011 Holiday House.

Guest Blogger: Julieta Alvarez Shares Highlights from Holiday House (Part 1)

Guest Blogger and DesignIntake writer Julieta Alvarez recently had the opportunity to attend this year's Holiday House 2011. Holiday House, the designer table top showhouse was founded three years ago by Iris Dankner to benefit the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Now Julieta is sharing what she loved!

By Julieta Alvarez

I recently attended  the Press Preview at Holiday House 2011 on the Upper East Side and what a festive event it was!  Literally, every room was decorated according to a holiday. Christmas, Birthday, Easter, Thanksgiving, and so on—it was marvelous!

Designed by the talented Bradley Thiergartner, the foyer of the house was created with Christmas in mind. The room was beautiful to begin with, complete with travertine walls and coffered octagonal ceiling imitating the same shapes on the marble floor and mirrors. The art collection was kept both modern and classic and the color palette was done in  warm tones of orange, yellow and green. Beautiful!

Next was a room designed by Ally Coulter. Ally's design was elegant but still laid back for her Mother's Day-inspired room. All her pieces came mostly from Ralph Lauren, where she began her design career, as well as  Stark Carpets, Paul Ferrante and David Duncan Antiques.

I also loved the room designed by Eileen Kathryn Boyd. Her room is filled  with fresh purples and muted grays in the form of geometric design and angular furniture. I would love to be sitting in this room during the late Winter months knowing that Spring was just around the corner!

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo tomorrow for more from Julieta on the 2011 Holiday House.

Designers Create 'Holiday House 2010' Benefitting Komen for the Cure

Need some holiday decorating inspiration? We’re not just talking about the upcoming winter holidays, but all holidays. The Holiday House has banded together with breast cancer survivors and advocates to create a Holiday-themed Designer Showhouse featuring original tabletop designs, settings, and rooms by renowned interior designers.

Designers will create tables and rooms celebrating specific holidays, from a New Year’s Eve party to a New Year’s Day brunch, Valentine’s Day lounge and more. Robin Wilson is setting her tablescape for Easter. Rooms by Eric Cohler and Stephen Fanuka are creating a Mother’s Day fete. Krissa Rossbund, Senior Style Editor of Traditional Home, is partnering with Silver Peacock to create an unforgettable birthday party.



The show will offer an array of activities such as hot chocolate and lunch at the Marie Belle Chocolatier Cafe, shopping at the Holiday House Boutique, and a Rizzoli Pop-up-bookstore. In addition, the showhouse will feature lectures, book signings, and culinary demonstrations.

Special events will include an "Authors Night" book signing with a host of authors personalizing the season's best illustrated books, including Bobby McAlpine’s The Home Within Us, Jamee Gregory’s New York Parties, Nancy Corzine’s Glamour at Home, Richard Mishaan’s Modern Luxury, and many more.



The Holiday House benefits the Great New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The Opening Night Gala will be held on Tuesday, November 30th from 6:30-9:30 PM. The evening’s honorary chairs are Sara Gore, host of LXTV, and Maurice Dubois, CBS 2 News anchor.

The venue for HOLIDAY HOUSE 2010 has been donated by Emily and Len Blavatnik and will be open to the public from Wednesday, December 1st through Wednesday, December 15th, 2010. Admission is $25. Hours are 10 AM until 6 PM. Thursdays until 8 PM.

For more information, please visit www.holidayhousenyc.com or email holidayhousenyc@gmail.com.