November 23, 2018

Holiday House NYC recently opened to the public in an eight-bedroom limestone townhouse at 118 East 76^th Street in New York City. Founded by 21-year veteran breast cancer survivor Iris Danker, Holiday House NYC donates all gala and ticket sales proceeds to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and has become one of the city’s leading interior design events.

More than 20 design firms transformed each room of the newly built 32-ft.-wide mansion and created luxurious spaces often loosely inspired by holiday themes. KBB spoke with the kitchen designer, Melanie Roy of New York City-based Melanie Roy Design, and the master bath designer, Iris Dankner, of New York City-based ID Designs, to find out more about their projects. The designers of the two guest bathrooms, New York City-based Anelle Gandelman and Ariella Duker of A-List Interiors and Ariel Okin of Ariel Okin Interiors, also weighed in on their designs.

View a gallery of the Holiday House NYC HERE.

KITCHEN
Goals: “Kitchens have become very popular spaces to eat and entertain, so we created a sophisticated and practical kitchen environment.” – Roy, Melanie Roy Design

Challenges: “The kitchen is very long and narrow with dark glass cabinets from the German Kitchen Center. To soften the environment, we chose luxurious materials like grass cloth wallpaper with silver strands to make the space appear wider, and then we brought in colorful art pieces to create a playful, family-friendly environment.” – Roy, Melanie Roy Design

Selections: “The wallpaper adds warmth and sparkle, and we used several sculptural light pieces to demonstrate a new trend where lighting is being used as art in design. Polished-steel wine servers and champagne flutes set a festive tone for our New Year’s Eve theme, as well as the starburst-like chandelier.” – Roy, Melanie Roy Design

Favorites: “It was so much fun to create a modern, sleek kitchen with the colorful collection of candy art, including lollipop sculptures by Desire Obtain Cherish, a macaroon sculpture by Peter Anton and sherbet-colored glass wall art by Abby Modell.” – Roy, Melanie Roy Design

MASTER BATH
Goals: “I wanted to create a space that was functional yet glamorous. I love layering different textures. The shine of the marble against the texture of the fur ottoman delivers a level of comfort and highlights the elegance in the space. I wanted to create a place where you can enjoy the art of relaxation.” – Dankner, ID Designs

Challenges: “I was challenged by the size and shape of the space, since it is a very narrow bathroom with a lot of separate nooks. I wanted to make sure that the design was seamless and flowed throughout the room while keeping its functionality.” – Dankner, ID Designs

Selections: “I chose to use very luxe materials to accessorize this space. Two New York City boutiques, Christofle and Frette’s, provided luxurious products that are highlighted throughout. I used Christofle’s small cups to house the common bathroom necessities and Frette’s towels and robes to fill the shelves and accessorize the bathroom.” – Dankner, ID Designs

Favorites: “I loved creating a bathroom that was glamorous yet functional. I loved working on a room for Holiday House because all the money we raise goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.” – Dankner, ID Designs

GUEST BATHROOM #1
Goals: “We wanted to create a bathroom that would complement the adjacent bedroom, since the door to the bathroom would likely remain open. We wanted it to be stylish and interesting, with a little bit of personality, without competing with the more dramatic bedroom space.” – Gandelman, A-List Interiors

Challenges: “The bathroom was very cookie cutter and similar to the other bathrooms on the same floor, so we had to make the design distinct without changing the tile or the vanity.” – Duker, A-List Interiors

Selections: “Since the bathroom tile was already a neutral white marble, we had lots of freedom when selecting a wallpaper. We chose a beautiful faux shagreen vinyl from Phillip Jeffries from one of the accent colors found in the bedroom wallpaper. The texture made the bathroom feel more inviting, and the vinyl material made it perfect to withstand any moisture.” – Gandelman, A-List Interiors

Favorites: “We loved styling this bathroom and seeing it all come together. For us, it’s the smallest details that make the biggest impact.” – Duker, A-List Interiors

GUEST BATHROOM #2
Goals: “I really wanted the bathroom to feel like a little jewel box; the bedroom itself was so highly detailed that the bathroom had to act as a complement to it while being able to stand out on its own. I didn’t want it to feel too safe!” – Okin, Ariel Okin Interiors

Challenges: “The original vanity in the bathroom was dark and heavy, which didn’t really go with the rest of the space; we were able to swap it out for a lighter and airier marble and brass vanity with open legs – it makes the bathroom! We were also lucky that the tile finishes on the floor and in the shower in the bathroom were already beautiful – a sophisticated white marble with a subtle vein. The two play off of each other really nicely.” – Okin, Ariel Okin Interiors

Selections: “We used the Henry Vanity from Waterworks with the matching brass faucet and fixtures. We also used a Brewster wallpaper on the walls, and a CB2 brass mirror above the vanity, which had some really nice organic texture. The accessories in the bathroom are by Land of Belle and Over the Moon, two companies started by friends of mine (and female founders!) who are doing wonderful things in the housewares world.” – Okin, Ariel Okin Interiors

Favorites: “I love participating in a showhouse because it’s such a true expression of a designer’s aesthetic. Holiday House was such an unbelievable opportunity, and getting to know the Holiday House team was an unforgettable experience. I feel so lucky to have been able to be a part of it!” – Okin, Ariel Okin Interiors