Flower Editorial Director Alice Welsh Doyle, along with Birmingham, Alabama-based interior designers Danielle Balanis and Mary Lauren McBride, headed further south to tour the fourth edition of the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in West Palm Beach. Here, we share our favorite spaces that celebrate flora in many of its beautiful variations at this charitable event.
Front Motor Court & Pool Terrace
Designer: Fernando Wong of Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design (Palm Beach), fernandowongold.com
When designing this picture-perfect setting, Fernando looked to the glamorous movie sets and 1920s Hollywood home of legendary MGM art director and production designer Cedric Gibbons. Lush native plants, Christmas palms, and three varieties of oleander set the mood. A cool teak dining table from Sutherland, whimsical umbrellas from Boutique Tents, and sleek black lounge chairs in Perennials fabric invite lingering.
Foyer, Staircase & Hallway
Designers: Cris Briger, Pablo Briger, and Charles Peed of Casa Gusto (West Palm Beach), getthegusto.com
Our collective love of the unique and botanical came together with great panache in this space inspired by a Colonial-era hothouse. On the trim and paneling, Saybrook Sage by Benjamin Moore was perfection. Sprawling vines, exquisite pieces from various centuries, and clever trompe l’oeil devices, such as the custom painted Styrofoam “beams” across the arched hallway ceiling, imbue the home’s entry with the feel of storied past.
Antiques, art, papier mâché, tiles, tole flowers, and talavera pottery, all from Casa Gusto.
Beyond Eden Bedroom
Designers: Lori Deeds and Cece Bowman of Kemble Interiors (Palm Beach), kembleinteriors.com
It’s impossible to name a favorite space in this Mediterranean villa, but this room is near the top—it’s a floral fairytale surrounded by vibrant hand-painted flowers. At its center, a fanciful bed of twisted metals mimics a bougainvillea vine, while custom window panels create the effect of a night garden illuminated by the moon and stars.
Curtains by The Shade Store in fabric from Fabricut; window panels from Fuller Architectural Panels; chair fabric from Pierre Frey; vintage chair from Bamboo and Rattan; bedding from Julia B.; mural by Aqualille.com; and hand-painted ceiling flowers by Zenon Toczek.
Fresh blooms here, there, and everywhere—along with three-dimensional floral elements—bring the mural’s intricate botanical details to life.
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For more from Kemble Interiors, see Flower‘s stories “Tropical Punch” and “The Colony Hotel’s Pink Paradise.”
Interlude in Indigo Bathroom & Asian Enchantment Dressing Room
Designer: Alexandra Naranjo of Alexandra Naranjo Designs (Ontario), alexandranaranjo.com
Alexandra’s love of flora is obvious in both her spaces. In the bathroom, she drew on the inspiration of Southern Florida with its tropical landscape captured in outstanding de Gournay wallpaper with a jungle vibe. The freestanding cobalt blue Kohler bathtub topped with a Currey & Company crystal chandelier completes the glamorous space.
In the adjacent dressing room, the designer went with custom chinoiserie-inspired wallpaper with matching shades. Built-ins from The Container Store lend a practical note to the pretty.
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Trim in Benjamin Moore’s Poolside Blue, along with monochromatic pink and purple floral arrangements, draw from the wallpaper's vibrant palette.
Sunny Spot
Designer: Mally Skok of Mally Skok Design (Lincoln, Massachusetts), mallyskokdesign.com
This nook is a perfect of example of how you can make a big impression in a small space. Mally used her own Secret Temple pattern with its floral focus on walls and as fabric on the windows and bench for a cocooning feel. The trim and ceiling in Benjamin Moore’s Golden Gate brings definition to the space, and chinois pagoda pendants and bamboo pieces make for a wonderful mix.
Brass Bamboo Lanterns from Vaughan; console table from Dunes and Duchess; and art by Pamela Hoffmeister, Sarah Gordon through Chairish, and Lynn Sanders through Gregg Irby Gallery.
The Guest Retreat
Designer: Amy Morris of Amy Morris Interiors (Atlanta, Georgia), amymorrisinteriors.com
Oh, to be invited to this villa room with its water views and welcoming attitude. Benjamin Moore’s Ewing Blue on the floor brings the coastal vibe inside, but the star of the show is surely the dramatic, draped canopy bed accompanied by wicker chairs and an antique vitrine. Sweet dreams indeed.
Wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries; lighting from Currey & Company; and bed canopy fabric from Kravet (outside) and Jab Anstoetz at Travis & Company (inside).
Parlour Games
Designer: Benjamin Deaton of Benjamin Deaton Interior Design (Lexington, Kentucky), benjamindeaton.com
Benjamin took a page from his pandemic-lifestyle and created a room where those near and dear can hang out, play games, or curl up with a book. The push-pull of the feminine and masculine elements—florals with bold stripes—works beautifully in the space. Inspired by Bunny Mellon’s Manhattan dining room, Benjamin chose silk Phillip Jeffries wallpaper in a crisp blue paired with white panels and a chocolate lacquered mantel, along other brown touches. The result: a sophisticated nautical allure.
Lamps by Christopher Spitzmiller; club chair from Chaddock; club chair fabric from Cowtan & Tout; and sofa fabric from Kravet.
The Peaceful Retreat
Designer: Courtney Giles of Courtney Giles Interiors (Atlanta, Georgia), courtneygiles.com
Courtney took a look outside and found her starting point. Walls wrapped in Schumacher’s Blair Palm bring the lush landscape inside. Bespoke details include coral pieces displayed on custom brackets, a hand-painted sisal rug, and artwork by Katie Madden and Stewart McDonald through Anne Irwin Fine Art. A scalloped slipper chair and ticking-striped love seat with coral-print pillows give guests a place to unwind.
Bed linens from Gramercy Home; pillow fabrics from Schumacher; lamps from Circa Lighting; sisal rug from Stark Carpet; slipper chair from Oomph Home.
Bar Mustique
Designer: Ellen Kavanaugh of Ellen Kavanaugh Interiors (Palm Beach, Florida), ellenkavanaugh.com
Cue The Rolling Stones, put on a bikini, and let’s head to the islands for a rockin’ party in a custom tiki-style hut, albeit a glam one. Ellen brought her vision to life with a custom-made shell mosaic on the wall behind the edgy bar, as well as a beautiful mix of mid-century modern pieces with chic hits of silks and antiques. Photos of Mick and Jerry Hall among others, tucked into the mirror over the bar, pull you into the tribe. The three of us were certainly feeling the ultra-cool vibe.
Upholstery fabric from Pierre Frey with Samuel & Sons trim; sconces from The Urban Electric Company.
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See more from Ellen Kavanaugh Interiors in Flower‘s story “Palm Beach Pop.”
Les Jardin des Perroquets Guest Suite
Designer: Brittany Bromley of Brittany Bromley Interiors (Westchester, New York), bbromleyinteriors.com
Be still our feminine, French-loving hearts with an undercurrent of edge. Everywhere we looked, there were covetable pieces—the stylized cornices, painted floors, ornate gilt French mirrors, and a bullion-fringed velvet built-in seating area perfect for pre-party chats with girlfriends.
And then, the pièce de résistance: the sanctuary spa-like bathroom with imported Italian marble, which framed the antiqued mercury glass.
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Hand-painted wallpaper from de Gournay; bed frame fabric from Chelsea Textiles; bed linens from Leontine Linens; window treatments by The Shade Store in fabric from Schumacher; swing-arm sconces and drinks table from Currey & Company.
Menagerie Dining Room
Designer: Lorna Gross of Lorna Gross Interior Design (Washington, DC), lornagross.com
Lorna brought the feeling of far-flung travels into her lively room with its eclectic and international mix of old, new, and custom. A favorite feature of ours was the blooming custom carpet by New Moon—it brings the whole space together. The Currey & Company gold leaf and rattan chandelier was a standout as well.
Keyhole mirrors from Ambella Home Collection; side chairs from Lexington; armchairs from Century Furniture; console table, table lamps, chests, and mirror from Currey & Company.
Loggia
Designer: Anna Braund of Anna Braund Interiors (Atlanta, Georgia), annabraund.com
We love a fabric-draped room, and this one was exceptional. Anna looked to the Mediterranean architecture of the home and worked with a palette of creams, saffron, and terra cotta. Wicker pieces mixed with European antiques keep the space from feeling too formal.
Banquette and rattan chairs from Bungalow Classic; olive trees and planter from New Growth Designs; French Quarter lanterns from Bevolo; and lamps from Casa Branca.
“The Slat House” Rear Courtyard & Garden
Designer: SMI Landscape Architecture (Palm Beach, Florida), smilandscapearchitecture.com
Wow, wow indeed! As we arrived at the last stop on our house tour, we all felt ready to sit and enjoy an afternoon cocktail in this fantastic space, which pays homage to the historic Palm Beach slat house at the Hotel Royal Poinciana. A vine-patterned lattice in Benjamin Moore’s Aegean Teal brings definition and excitement to the courtyard, while a canopy of pleached maho trees and yellow oncidium orchids in terra cotta pots evoke a dreamy garden atmosphere. Super cool furniture from Cox London adds some serious chic.
Terra-cotta pots from Seibert & Rice; jardinière from Provenance Antiques.
Colony Hotel Party
After the show house visit, we headed over to Palm Beach’s iconic Colony Hotel for a fun-filled cocktail fling and a celebration of the redesigned living room by Kemble Interiors with its custom de Gournay wallpaper. Live animals that appear in the wallpaper were also in attendance! Our favorites were Skittles the parrot and a white cockatoo.
By Alice Welsh Doyle
For more for about the 2021 Kips Bay Palm Beach Show House, visit kipsbaydecoratorshowhouse.org
Sources
- All drapery by The Shade Store, theshadestore.com
- All paint from Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com
- Select light fixtures from Currey & Company, curreyandcompany.com
- Select rugs from New Moon
- Built-in storage by The Container Store, thecontainerstore.com