Holiday House NYC 2019

Celebrate the holiday season by giving back while simultaneously being reminded how small your New York City apartment is. Holiday House NYC, one of New York’s leading showhouses, has moved to a $12,000,000 historic Neo-Georgian 12,000 sq. foot townhouse on the Upper East Side (125 East 65th Street) featuring five bedrooms, a sizable garden and a grand staircase. Each space has been re-imagined by a hand-selected group of more than 20 designers and all ticket proceeds benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF). 

Founded by Iris Danker, breast cancer survivor and interior designer herself, the Holiday House has been delighting the public with out-of-the box designs since 2008, raising over $1.3 million. Iris Dankner, Design Chair Amy Lau, and BCRF’s President Myra J. Biblowit, join New York area’s leading emerging designers {Mariem Horchani, Bjorn Bjornsson, Sara Touijer, Jasmin Lam, Ally Coulter, Bennett Leifer, Iris Dankner, Vanessa Deleon, Keith Baltimore, Lauren Berry, Zoya Bograd, Tathienne Kader, Tara Kantor, Barbara Lewis, Hilary Matt, Nicola Rosendorff and Elsa Soyars} to transform the stunning 1904 mansion designed by renowned architect Charles Platt.

Few times (okay, never) have I been invited to a New York City apartment where there’s a basement, spacious outdoor garden and several flights of stairs that don’t also belong to all the neighbors. Beyond the impressive house itself, the talented designers have stepped up in creating unique designs that exude personality. So whether you are looking for something different to experience this holiday season, want to make yourself feel bad about your studio apartment, or also live in a sizable New York mansion and are in need of design tips, Holiday House NYC is a must see. Below are just a few standout rooms:

ALLY COULTER DESIGNS  - “BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’s”

“Trimmed with custom cabinets containing precious jewels, glamorous Tiffany accouterments, and Tiffany blue and white ceilings precisely tinted by Benjamin Moore reflects timeless luxury style reminiscent of the iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The glistening antique French brass and rock crystal chandelier and sconces add more ‘glam’ to the self-indulgent, feminine salon.”                         

BENNETT LEIFER INTERIORS - “NEUE DRAWING ROOM” (2nd Floor, Living Room)                                                          

“I love to reference history and different design elements in the spaces I create. I recently visited the Neues Palais in Potsdam and was inspired by how dramatically the spaces evolved over time, with so many events transpiring over the 20th century. The space retains its elegance but bears a mark of each period that passed through.”

BJORN BJORNSSON INTERIOR DESIGN - “A FRENCH AFFAIR” (3rd Floor, Master Bedroom)                                                                                                  

“Inspired by a holiday in Montpellier, France, the concept for the Master Bedroom is eclectic modern with a French twist. In creating the “old and new” design, I took an artistic approach in selecting furnishings and textures that though stylistically diverse, collectively produce an elegant, unique, and personal design.”       

ELSA SOYARS INTERIORS - “ENCHANTED GARDEN” (Garden level, Garden)

“The gorgeous pebble flooring in the townhouse courtyard takes you back in time. Playing with textures and shapes one can create an unexpected dreamy garden in this cosmopolitan city.”

“PARISIAN SALON” (1st Floor, Dining Room)                                               

“This dining room captures not only a functional living space but also it shows a fashion element brought through fabric, luxurious textures and color – this is how I see Paris. It’s pure fashion.”

HILARY MATT INTERIORS  - “UNDEFINED LINES” (4th Floor, Bedroom)                                                                 

“Undefined Lines is a bedroom inspired by curvature and linear thoughts brought to life through reflection. this design scheme is primarily black and white with pops of soft, gentle colors to illuminate the space the aesthetic is influenced by curvature, squiggles, zig zags, and grids to ultimately create an undefined reflective space.”

LAUREN BERRY INTERIORS & HOMES - “CITY LIFE / CITY LIGHTS” (1st Floor, Foyer)                                                                     

A transition from the City life outside into a sophisticated interior space; the Foyer & Entry invites, welcomes, and draws you in with eye catching materials both elegant and durable. The Entry’s barrel vaulted ceiling is highlighted with a Kelly Wearstler Cubist pendant; upon ascending into the Foyer guests will be greeted with a stunning work by Sherie’ Franssen that elevates your sense of arrival.                             

LEWIS DESIGN GROUP LLC  - “CAFE SOCIETY” (Garden Level, Bar Lounge)

This Bar Lounge is designed to take you back in time to the glamorous and fun Cafe Society of the late sixties in Manhattan, where everyday is a holiday worth celebrating and playful and inspiring design adds to the buzzy euphoria of brilliant company and an expertly made cocktail.

MHM INTERIORS - “THINK PINK” (Garden Level, Powder Room)                                                                                            

“The powder room design is centered on the power of pink. It doesn’t take a lot of pink to make an impact! The design conceptualizes the redefinition and evolution of pink, from powdery to powerful.”    

Design Concept:

The Redefinition of Pink is expressed through the empowerment and evolution of Pink in fashion images and Barbie dolls displayed in the Think Pink! Powder Room. Pink shows its Power by effortlessly holding its own, while complementing the rich textures and dark hues of the room’s furnishings and surfaces.           

 Holiday Inspiration:

Day of Pink is the International Day against Bullying, Discrimination, Homophobia, Transphobia and Transmisogyny. It is a day of awareness, action and celebration of diversity. Day of Pink also celebrates the Redefinition of Pink. Its inception was Canadian high school kids defending a gay classmate being bullied for wearing a Pink shirt. In fashion and in popular culture, Pink has evolved, from prim and proper to Powerful and Political.

ROOMS BY ZOYA B - “HARRY AND INDY’S ROOM” (4th Floor, Nursery)                                                       

“When I saw this rug, and heard its backstory, my mind just jumped immediately from the beautiful constellations to treasure maps, treasure hunting, and of course to Indiana Jones.”

COUTURE RUG COLLECTION: Constellation Rug Created at the end of the 20th century, the DITOZZI COUTURE line effortlessly coalesces classical elements, such as baroque and Greek mythology, with a modern sensibility, ardent execution, and flawless precision.

TOUIJER DESIGNS LLC - “MEDITATION SPACE” (4th Floor, Meditation Room)                                                    

“Creating your personal space that resonates well with you can help you to find the peace you are looking for. Most believe that mediation is all about connecting yourself – mind and body – with nature and your surroundings. My meditation space provides you with the opportunity to recharge your body both physically and mentally, and keep you balanced.”

VANESSA DELEON ASSOCIATES - “THE RIGHT WING LOUNGE” (3rd Floor, Master Lounge)                                                                                                                  

“Original design starts with a playful idea for living. The oversized Cage Chair and sets the stage, tempting the individual to choose between captivity and freedom of leisurely play.”

Open Daily: Now through December 15, 2019 11am – 5pm; Thursdays: 11am – 8pm; Closed Mondays and Nov 27 & 28 for Thanksgiving

General Admission: $40; Students with valid ID: $25