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Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2011: Kemble Interiors

by habituallychic

05 . 02 . 11

One of my favorite rooms in the 2011 Kips Bay Decorator Show House was designed by Celerie Kemble and her team at Kemble Interiors.  Due to the historic significance of the home, many of the designers were required to work around certain features and that included the wood paneling in the library. With a little magic and lots of light colors, the dark and masculine room was transformed into a woman’s library, “a sanctum for a siren.” The shelves are filled with books on fashion, poetry and contemporary literature and there are plenty of places to sit and read or chat with friends. Since the walls could not be touched, the team focused on adorning “the ceiling, floors, windows, furniture, and bookcases with every trick of their craft to add glimmer and put a little switch in its skirts.”  Artist Miriam Ellner created the amazing ceiling of gold leaf and other metals on the reverse side of glass, verre eglomise, to create a “Chinoiserie inspired skyscape fantasy.”   A room this size filled with so many special pieces could have look cluttered but instead your eye is drawn around the room as it slowly unveils itself.  I could have spent all day in this room which in my mind makes it a huge success.

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic except for #1, 5, 10, 14, 16 and 23 courtesy of Kemble Interiors

8 Comments
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  1. The enchanted home May 1, 2011 | 3:25 pm

    I can certainly see why this was one of your favorite rooms, love the level of detail, the soothing rich warm colors! That lucite table is awesome….love all the books to warm it up, the ceiling detail…its all quite beautiful. Can’t wait to go next week!

  2. Michael Hampton May 1, 2011 | 7:50 pm

    The verre eglomise ceiling definitely steals the show!

  3. caitlin wilson May 1, 2011 | 7:57 pm

    just went yesterday and I said the same thing over and over again…that i could spend all day in that room. Flawless!

  4. thebeneblog.com May 2, 2011 | 12:13 am

    A few years ago Miriam Ellner opened her studio for a verre Eglomise class. Her process is painstaking. She is a rediculously talented lady.
    Each piece takes layers and layers to achieve and are complete works of art. I am looking forward to seeing the ceiling in person. Celerie Kembles work never disappoints!

  5. jayneonweedstreet May 2, 2011 | 11:28 am

    The book shelves make the room; so well done!

  6. The Buzz May 2, 2011 | 5:41 pm

    All of Celerie’s touches are so lovely and ladylike… One of our favorite rooms this year (and not because we did all the florals!)
    xxoo

  7. Tarnished Reputation May 3, 2011 | 2:25 am

    loved Celerie Kemble’s room, her team did a great job. The ceiling is amazing and must have cost a fortune…hats off.
    Honestly, I didn’t see one other room that I thoght was inventive and or interesting. They all seemed immature or dated. I am mean come on people.

  8. Fashion-isha May 3, 2011 | 2:45 am

    Another fabulous room! Love that ceiling. How was that done?
    xo
    sharon
    http://www.fashion-isha.com