Kips Bay Show House offers virtual tours

The Kips Bay Decorator Show House is internationally recognised as a premier design event. It’s on everyone’s wishlist as a place to visit. Well this year you can. For 2020 you can enjoy a visit to this renowned event from wherever you are as The Kips Bay Show House offers virtual tours.

The history of the house

The show house events first started back in 1973. Several dedicated supporters of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, a charitable organization started in 1915 dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children in New York City, launched the Decorator Show House. The aim of the first event was to raise critical funds for much needed after school and enrichment programs for the children.

Since then over the course of four decades, this project has grown into a must-see event for thousands of design enthusiasts. It is also well known for inspiring interior design trends throughout the world. The show house events have now raised over $25 million for the charity.

A new location for 2020

The original location is a Manhattan town house. In 2017 the brand expanded to include a house in Palm Beach, also the location for the January 2020 show house

This year sees a new location for the house. The 11,476 square feet home is in a leafy suburb of Dallas, Texas. The rambling, two-story home features a pitched slate roof and ivy colored, stone and limestone exterior walls, transporting guests to Provence, France with its charm. The home was built in 2003, boasting 20-foot-plus tall ceilings, lushly landscaped grounds and a dramatic winding staircase.

Twenty six industry leading interior designers  each transform a different room or area of the house. The result is a stunning showcase of contemporary design. Touring through the rooms is inspiring as each room tells it’s own story in the signature style of the designer. From opulent formal schemes like this bedroom by room by Dina Bandman…

to the pared back style and natural earthy tones found in this gallery powder room by M Neave Interiors.

The Kips Bay Show House virtual tour

Following the impact of Covid19 on the design industry, the events calendar looks very different this year. Events have had to take on a different form as we adapt to our new normal.  In light of the current circumstances tickets to the show are limited and the usual precautions are in place to ensure visitors safety. Whilst it is very unlikely that many UK design enthusiasts will be able to travel to the show this year there is a way to watch and enjoy the show house from the comfort of your own home.

Purchase a virtual tour ticket for just $20 and view the show house virtually as well as donating to a great cause. You’ll be treated to a visual feast, exploring every room of the house in detail. Additionally the visuals are accompanied by audio overlays. An opportunity to hear each designer explain their vision and inspiration for the room. This creates an experience that you may not necessarily get on a visit in person.

The Kips Bay Decorator Show House is open for one month from 25^th September. Will you be visiting? Virtually or in person? I’d love to hear what you think of the rooms. Leave me a comment below.

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