Guest Blogger: Patrick J. Hamilton Discusses the 'Little Moments' at Holiday House (Part 2)

Guest Blogger and AskPatrick writer Patrick J. Hamilton is sharing his highlights of Holiday House 2011. Especially taken by the moments captured through design, Patrick continues telling us about the 'little moments' of design he loved at Holiday House and what a few of the best-ceased design opportunities he found.

By Patrick J. Hamilton

Also taking a subtle hand with color, but in a far larger space, was penthouse designer Aline Matsika, with silver, black and white. The space apparently required some major reworking (like flooring and electricity) before the fun stuff could happen. That fun stuff came in the form of Aline’s signature modern organic touches and African artifacts, against billowy white floor to near-ceiling drapes.

In a showhouse, there is no such thing as a throw-away space, just the potential for missed opportunities and Dineen Architecture, like Bryant Keller, made the absolute most of a pass-through space with her “Roman Holiday.” Dineen Architecture didn’t miss a trick or the opportunity to tell a story in the smaller space. Perfectly framed through a doorway leading to a more major room, the small intimate area was defined only by desk, chair, lamp, flokati rug and wall-filling custom painting.

A corally-cognac color (a tamer version of James Rixner’s red and Inson Dubois Wood’s lacquer) on chair and styling details made the tiny space glow, beckon and seduce. Inspired by the Audrey Hepburn film and envisioned as a space where love letters flow with the Campari, it was one of my very favorite vignettes, a romantic story itself told with just a few carefully-chosen notes.

Stay tuned for more with Patrick J. Hamilton and in the meantime, check out his blog AskPatrick.

Guest Blogger: Patrick J. Hamilton Discusses the 'Little Moments' at Holiday House (Part 1 of 2)

Guest Blogger and AskPatrick writer Patrick J. Hamilton is sharing his highlights of Holiday House 2011 with designer's who best captured the magical 'little moments' of design and the design opportunities often missed. Here's more from Patrick at Holiday House.

By Patrick J. Hamilton

Some of my favorite moments in show houses are exactly that: moments. A bit of art or room glimpsed through a doorway; a tiny space made grand; a perfect light fixture; a showstopper painting. There were much more than just a few at the 2011 Holiday House.

Charles Pavarini’s “Opening Night” moment, a celebratory tableau (bon) vivant tucked beneath a grand sweep of staircase is one of them. Just a few pieces paint a vivid picture, a place to gather after an opening night success, martini in hand.

A stunning, grand-in-every-sense-of-the-word (and high tech) piano paired brilliantly with two Jean Michel-Frank chairs, for the perfect Brothers Gershwin collaboration, a brash swath of art against given limestone walls, and an elegant cabinet, sharing a mirror-like ivory to the piano’s ebony, hold their own against the space’s architecture and circulation. The piano’s notes flowed through the house and set the party tone even during a daytime preview, so fitting since Pavarini is the event’s designer event Chair.

Another moment made perfect, in a space and for a holiday somewhat less than, was Bryant Keller's, of Bryant Keller Interiors, take on Columbus Day. A stairway landing/hallway, and a holiday not necessarily known for its decorative sense came to lovely life and managed to enchant with muted color, a stairway-sweeping grisaille mural, drop-dead shell chairs, and exquisite tabletop styling.

One can almost see Mr. Chris himself making the pitch to Isabella to fund his travels, across this very table, in the glow of candlelight and one more glass of Rioja.

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo next week for more from Patrick on the 2011 Holiday House when he discusses more on the designer's who took advantage of every tiny detail.

Guest Blogger: Patrick J. Hamilton on Avoiding Design Clichés at Holiday House (Part 1 of 2)

Guest Blogger and AskPatrick writer Patrick J. Hamilton recently had the opportunity to attend this year's Holiday House 2011. Holiday House, the designer tabletop 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 Patrick is sharing what he loved!

By Patrick J. Hamilton

The annual Holiday House on the Upper East Side is perhaps my favorite show house in Manhattan. It's a triple threat, and triple treat—a great house, stunning interior design and holiday-inspired rooms with LOTS of delectable tabletop styling... my true guilty pleasure. Every year I’ve been, the lucky designers have risen to all three occasions (and all four floors), with their designs, holiday interpretations and styling. They have created rooms that stay in the memory like the happy holiday moments they hope to conjure, capture or poetically reinterpret.

This year was largely no exception. Visiting this festive assemblage of design talent and holiday spirit was like walking through a giant 3-D calendar, charting the joyous passage of time and the marking of life’s moments with lots of ideas to take back to your own party. It is a fitting tribute to the cause, the Greater NYC Chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the way we mark and celebrate it, is a gift very often taken away all too soon.

As a designer, I’ve also been fascinated by how my colleagues face the challenge (and joy!) of a room with no client but themselves, and the opportunity to tell a story, stop the show—and garner a new gig or two along the way. Like Kips Bay, there were many lessons here on how designers take on raw spaces, find inspiration and make their marvelous marks.

I noticed an abundance of perfectly executed avoidances of design clichés. Theme rooms, whether animal-animated nursery, or sports-driven basement, can go from good idea to cartoon cliché in the blink of an eye, so the Holiday House is of special interest to see how the design elite ramp up or tone down their inspiration starters. It was refreshing to see two inspired takes on holidays that seem otherwise ripe for stereotype: Valentine’s Day, and New Year’s Eve.

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo next week for more from Patrick on the 2011 Holiday House when he discusses two designers who know what they're doing when avoiding clichés in design.

Meet the Blogger: Ask Patrick J. Hamilton Whatever You Heart Designs (Part 2)

Yesterday, we introduced you to Patrick J. Hamilton.  The founder of AskPatrick and regular contributor to Apartment Therapy is one of the bloggers participating in the DDB's Blogger Lounge during Fall Market. We sat down with Patrick to learn more about the amazing things he's been up to and what he's excited about at Fall Market 2011.

GDG: What are some of your favorite things about your blog?

PJH: I started AskPatrick to help homeowners fine-tune and finish their spaces. It’s been a great way to connect with people who’ve found my design work on HGTV.com and other places, but live too far away for me to work with them directly. Most of them are just stuck on one last item, hurdle, or challenge-the “Home Stretch” as I call it! Maybe I should have named my blog that!

GDG: Were there any trends this summer that you especially loved--or didn't?

PJH: My summer eye has wandered to the blue tones. I’m loving anything from Indigo to Navy to Marine to Peacock. But there is a crazy-bright amber canary yellow at Kravet that stops me in my tracks every time I see it. I'm dying to use that somewhere soon! And anything in that ethereal sea-glass, not-quite blue, not quite green range still ranks high for me. So chic for a bedroom, with deep wood tones and silvers… although I’ve noticed gold and brass tones edging their way back in!

I’m also a big, big fan of textured wall coverings. There are some AMAZING vinyls out there right now at Designtex and Koroseal. You’d swear they were silks and grasses, but totally kid and bathroom friendly! And of course, the wall coverings of Phillip Jeffries at Holly Hunt (SLATE!!!) and the classic grasses of Schumacher. Just put up one of their papers in a media room, and it is SPECTACULAR.

Speaking of color and spectacular, I'm loving the Lilly Pulitzer line at Lee Jofa. I think that’s my Miami roots showing a little, too!

GDG: What are you looking forward to seeing during the DDB's Fall Market?

PJH: Like many, I can’t wait for the big Donghia unveiling! Expansion and new energy is so important for our industry. I’ve been a fan of Donghia since the Hutton era, and it’s exciting to see them find new ways to stay fresh and relevant, without losing their original soul.

Lately, I’ve been finding a lot to like at Summer Hill, and their vibe seems perfectly suited to fall nesting season, so I can’t wait to see what they have in store. I’m also always pulled in by A. Rudin’s easy, classic chic. So usable, so glamorous!

GDG: Can you share a fun fact about yourself?

PJH: I collect portraits (mostly photographic, although my collection of vintage oil portraits made it into my winning window for Bloomingdale’s) although lack of wall space has slowed my art acquisition habit!

Check back with GoDesignGo to meet more of the DDB's Bloggers Lounge roster.

Meet the Blogger: Ask Patrick J. Hamilton Whatever Your Heart Desires (1 of 2)

The DDB's Fall Market 2011 Bloggers Lounge will be your one stop fix for design and lifestyle. Co-sponsored by GoDesignGo and Editor at Large, the lounge will house 15 bloggers who will be camping out in style covering Market events. We're introducing you to the Bloggers Lounge line-up of Bloggers and today we want you to meet Patrick J. Hamilton of AskPatrick and regular contributor to Apartment Therapy.

Patrick J. Hamilton has no shortage of job titles, which include blogger, interior designer, writer, humorist, activist and stylist living specialist in Manhattan. His blog, AskPatrick, focuses on residential makeovers and interior design industry events. The RISD graduate is also a specialist in small-space solutions unique to Manhattan living, but is comfortable working on projects both large and small.

"I love working with a wide range of styles, from contemporary to traditional," said Patrick. "But like MANY Manhattanites, I live daily with the challenge of smaller spaces. I’m a big fan of tailored, timeless pieces in my own home. And I’m a big fan of texture!"

Patrick's signature approach “Invest, Save & Splurge” plays a large roll in all of his interiors and blog discussion and is known for his innovative and fresh perspective to each project.

"I draw from a wide range of inspiration in my work, creating environments that are functional, comfortable and highly expressive of each individual client," Patrick said. "It’s all about the mix and never about the pedigree."

His work has been seen on HGTV in Small Space, Big Style and Rate My Space, HGTV.com, HouseBeautiful.com, TheKitchn.com, Ohdeedoh.com, and ApartmentTherapy. He was also the winner of Apartment Therapy’s first annual Smallest, Coolest Home contest, and the winner of the first Bloomingdale’s Big Window Challenge. He has styled features and photo shoots for Ladies Home Journal, The Alpha Workshops, and Florida Home & Garden. In the past, Patrick has also worked for Design on a Dime, The Alpha Workshops and the New York Designing Men: It Gets Better video.

He is a New York contributor to ApartmentTherapy, where he shoots and writes House Tours, and has also covered the ICFF, interviewed design world luminaries and covered the second season of HGTV’s Design Star. Patrick also recently appeared in It Gets Better: NYC Designing Men, a video for the It Gets Better Project supporting The Trevor Project.

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo for our interview with Patrick to learn more about Patrick is most looking forward to during the DDB's Fall Market.