See Inside a Gorgeous, Texture-Rich Home in New York City

The Designer Show House, a biennial event sponsored by the Village Improvement Association in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, showcases diverse interior and exterior design inspirations across its 6,000 square feet of space and nearly an acre of outdoor areas. This event serves as a platform for regional designers to present their expertise and offers visitors a wealth of ideas for their own homes. One featured space is a sunken living room, designed by Kate FitzGerald-Wilks of Timeless Design in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. This room embodies a West Indies aesthetic, characterized by bold lines, soft sandy hues, and rich textures. Key elements include vintage stick bamboo chairs painted black, adorned with Kuba cloth and Ralph Lauren zebra-stripe pillows on a slipcovered camel-backed sofa. A mid-century hutch is repurposed as a cocktail bar, complemented by sculptural metal and glass console tables flanking the fireplace. Wood mirrors with faux tortoise shell lean against textured wallpaper, while modern sculptures and art blend with antique books and global treasures. FitzGerald-Wilks also designed the dining room, aiming for a dramatic effect with a backdrop of 200 wine bottles and a striking Dolcetti chandelier crafted from shells and crystals, evoking sea glass. An 8-foot-long reclaimed wine rack sits atop a buffet. The room's color palette consists of soft creams and tans, punctuated by emerald green accents in the chandelier and wine bottles. Windows are framed with woven ikat print panels. An airy sunroom, conceived by Alfred Wolf Home (a new venture from Design Center of Rehoboth or DCOR), was designed to create a light-filled, contemporary transition between the house and garden. This involved removing existing French doors and window grills, painting the room in various shades of white and French gray-green, and incorporating textural elements of white canvas, iron, and marble. The family room, also by DCOR, maintained the warmth of its original paneling and fireplace stone, setting the foundation for a soft khaki and cream palette. The room is furnished with herringbone, tweed, and leather fabrics, offset by tortoise shell wood finishes and local tidal scene artwork. Mary Stewart of M. Stewart Interiors in Bear designed the upstairs hobby room, named "Just Us," intended as a shared family space for various pastimes like painting, photography, reading, chess, and Lego building. The room features updated cherished family heirlooms and is painted simply white to highlight paintings by Nadia Zychal. Nile Johnson of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, designed the second-floor paneled library, drawing inspiration from Rehoboth's laid-back yet cosmopolitan atmosphere. This space offers an updated interpretation of a classic library, decorated in layers of sandy tans. Cyndi and Ron Oronzio and Cathie Sheetz of Dreamweaver Interiors of Rehoboth Beach decorated a bedroom and bath, inspired by vibrantly patterned fabrics. They utilized Robert Allen fabrics as wallpaper for an accent wall, building the room's design around this print. The team selected fabrics for their depth, crisp patterns, contrasting textures, and detailed embroidery, incorporating a bright coral pink accent color and rhinestone embellishments for a feminine touch. Brenda Carder of blcINTERIORS of Rehoboth Beach designed a small guest bedroom, combining natural cotton and linen fabrics with metal and reclaimed wood. Crown moldings add formality. To compensate for limited sunlight, the room was kept light and bright, with a deep navy blue accent wall and touches of bright yellow for warmth. The second floor features art by Libby Zando of Zando Designs and Art Affects in Milton, alongside works by award-winning regional artists. Boardwalk Builders of Rehoboth transformed a hallway into a gallery space by adding wainscot paneling, creating an updated cottage aesthetic that visually broadened the hallway. Mark A. Polo of The Urban Dweller in Boonton, New Jersey, designed the master suite, aiming for comfort with soft textural colors ranging from taupe to blue. The furniture is upholstered to enhance the room's softness, featuring taupe draperies of embroidered sheer linen and silk edged in leather and freshwater pearls. Blonde floors are softened by a long-fiber rug. Outdoors, Erin Walls and Justin Bartels of Bella Terra Landscaping in Lincoln repurposed existing flagstone patios and walkways, adding new stones to create a Celtic-inspired design. The layout divides the space into a grand area for social gatherings and secluded nooks for quiet retreats. Creative Concepts Furniture of Lewes and Ocean View furnished the patios as outdoor rooms with bright coastal colors, including a sectional, loveseat, dining area for six, and lounge chairs, inviting visitors to envision themselves in the setting. #DesignerShowHouse #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #RehobothBeach #DelawareDesign #LuxuryInteriors #OutdoorLiving #DesignInspiration

The 2025 Real Simple Home event is set to feature two distinct residential spaces in One Park Row, downtown Manhattan: a four-bedroom penthouse suite and a two-bedroom “DIY Annex.” These spaces have been transformed by a team of ten designers, including a celebrity, a group of content creators, and an organizing expert. This initiative marks the first time Real Simple has showcased two apartments for its annual home event. The penthouse suite has been collaboratively designed by several notable figures. Alvin Wayne, founder of Alvin Wayne Interiors, is responsible for the primary suite, bringing his signature blend of modern and vintage elements. Jason Saft, owner of Staged to Sell Home, has taken on the open-plan living room, dining room, and kitchen, leveraging his extensive experience in real estate staging. Drew Barrymore, the renowned actor, producer, talk show host, and business owner, contributed her design aesthetic to a dedicated “feel-good room.” Noz Nozawa, a San Francisco-based designer known for her vibrant, layered interiors, applied her style to the penthouse's wrap-around patio. Alexandra Gater, a Toronto-based stylist and home decor expert, focused on the home's second-floor den, emphasizing budget-friendly yet beautiful design. Candace Griffin, founder of Candace Mary Interiors, designed a children's room, incorporating timeless elegance with modern touches. Mandy Cheng, owner of Mandy Cheng Design, created a versatile guest bedroom/office space. The “DIY Annex” apartment was conceptualized and executed by three prominent content creators. Drew Michael Scott, known for his Lone Fox brand, designed the living room, showcasing his expertise in DIY projects and interior design. Mallory Fletchall, a Brooklyn-based content creator and owner of Reserve Home, contributed her ideas to the annex, drawing from her experience with timeless interiors and vintage finds. Valeria Jacobs, the creative mind behind Rebecca and Genevieve, brought her unique DIY perspective to the space, informed by her passion for interiors and content creation. Rounding out the team is Tyler Moore, also known as Tidy Dad, an organizing expert who ensured both spaces were optimized for storage and functionality, offering practical solutions for a well-ordered home. This comprehensive design effort aims to offer a wide range of decorating ideas, organizational strategies, and inspiring transformations for both luxury and budget-conscious homeowners and renters. The project brings together diverse design philosophies and practical approaches to create engaging and functional living environments. #RealSimpleHome #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ManhattanApartments #DesignerShowcase #DIYHomeDecor #CelebrityDesign #HomeOrganization #LuxuryInteriors

While many New York City kitchens are compact, barely fitting standard appliances, an expansive kitchen island can serve as a significant focal point in homes with more generous space. This article showcases several luxurious New York City residences that feature oversized kitchen islands, highlighting their versatility and design. Each example illustrates how these islands go beyond simple food preparation, serving multiple functions within the home. The first example is a 6,000-square-foot Boerum Hill home at 323 Pacific Street, priced at $11 million. Its kitchen and dining room span 700 square feet, boasting custom millwork cabinetry and a massive marble island equipped with a farmhouse sink. This particular island emphasizes high-end design and functionality, fitting seamlessly into a large, open-plan space. Another featured property is a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath loft condo at 153 Chambers Street, available for $6.4 million. The kitchen in this loft centers around an oversized island featuring a butcher-block countertop, suggesting a design choice that prioritizes both aesthetics and practical use for chopping and food preparation. At 25 North Moore Street, a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath loft listed at $6.75 million includes an oversized island that cleverly combines a butcher block and marble counter. This dual-material design allows the island to function efficiently as both a breakfast bar and a dedicated prep station, catering to various daily needs from casual dining to extensive cooking. For those seeking ultimate luxury, the 14th-floor penthouse at 944 Park Avenue, valued at $11.995 million, presents a chef’s kitchen. This kitchen is outfitted with a double-wide Sub-Zero refrigerator, a six-burner Wolf stove, and a substantial center island. The island features elegant marble countertops and custom cabinetry, designed to support high-level culinary activities. An exceptional example of maximizing island utility is found in a five-bedroom, five-bath single-family townhouse at 104 Prospect Park West, priced at $11 million. This kitchen uniquely features not one, but two islands, both topped with honed marble counters and equipped with custom-built cabinetry. This setup is ideal for large families or those who frequently entertain, offering extensive workspace and storage. Finally, a renovated four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath loft at 39 Vestry Street, listed for $5.995 million, showcases an open kitchen concept. Its island is distinguished by Caesarstone countertops and an integrated Viking cooktop. This design integrates cooking directly into the island, making it a central hub for culinary creation and social interaction within the open living space. These examples collectively highlight a trend in high-end New York City real estate where kitchen islands are designed not just as functional elements but as central features that enhance the living experience, accommodating diverse activities from meal preparation and dining to homework and social gatherings. The choice of materials like marble, butcher block, and Caesarstone, along with integrated appliances, reflects a commitment to both luxury and practicality in these sophisticated urban homes. #KitchenIslands #LuxuryRealEstate #NYCInteriors #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #KitchenDesign #HighEndKitchens

Olivier Reza, the head of his family's eponymous jewelry house, opens the doors to his New York City home in the inaugural installment of Robb Report's "Grand Tour" video series. Reza, whose family has a history in the gemstone business dating back to the 18th century, took over the jewelry brand in 2020. His discerning eye for design, evident in the exquisite accessories his brand offers, extends to the meticulously curated interior of his personal residence. The article highlights Reza's approach to home design, which centers on the concept of mixing pieces from different eras to observe "how they talk to each other." This philosophy is immediately apparent upon entering his home, where the foyer features a striking juxtaposition of checkered black-and-white tiles with a moody, modern blue wallpaper, complemented by an array of art and decorative objects. This eclectic style continues throughout the residence, creating a unique and personal aesthetic. In the study, dark-hued walls and ebony wood provide a sophisticated backdrop for abstract and colorful art pieces. The design incorporates vintage elements, such as 1920s/’30s vases, alongside contemporary items like tableware from L'Objet, showcasing a deliberate blend of old and new. The living room further exemplifies Reza's diverse taste, featuring a curved wooden desk from the 1930s, vibrant blue animal-printed chairs, and textured grey sofas. The space is further enriched by various knickknacks, including a distinctive furry Hass Brothers beast, all contributing to a rich and layered interior design. Reza expresses a deep enjoyment for the process of sourcing these diverse items, whether for his jewelry collections or his home. He emphasizes that "the fun is in the curation," suggesting that the search and selection of each piece are as fulfilling as the final arrangement. This passion for collecting and curating is deeply rooted in his family history, with his father, Alexandre Reza, having established the Reza brand in the 1960s before Olivier moved the family business to its current location on the Upper East Side. The article illustrates how Reza's dedication to exceptional design and his love for unique finds create a home that is both personal and visually captivating. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #EclecticStyle #LuxuryHomes #OlivierReza #NewYorkCity #JewelryHouse #CuratedHome #RobbReport

This article highlights a unique real estate opportunity in New York City: the simultaneous availability of two distinct apartments within a former Gilded Age mansion at 17 East 63rd Street. Built in 1901, the five-story limestone mansion initially housed prominent New York families before being converted into apartments after World War II. These units, characterized by their high, coffered ceilings, chandeliers, and French doors leading to Juliet balconies, rarely come onto the market. By an unusual coincidence, the second-floor apartment and a combined third-and-fourth-floor duplex were listed for sale within five days of each other, each with a different broker. The second-floor unit, apartment 2, has been owned for the past 35 years by Shirley Maytag King, widow of the grandson of the Maytag appliance company founder. This apartment boasts 15-foot ceilings, a remnant of its past as the mansion's ballroom, and is listed at $4.2 million. It includes 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a private elevator, a formal dining room, and two working fireplaces. Broker Paul Kolbusz notes that its price reflects the potential need for kitchen and bathroom updates, despite its historical significance and prime location near Central Park and the Frick Collection. The duplex, apartment 3/4, has been continuously owned for over 20 years and spans 4,200 square feet, significantly larger than the second-floor unit. Listed at $16.995 million, it features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, five fireplaces, and a primary bedroom that is 22 by 26 feet, larger than many living rooms, with two separate en suite bathrooms and dressing rooms, one with its own fireplace. The apartment, designed by Thomas Britt, also showcases an enormous great room with coffered ceilings and floor-to-ceiling French-door-style windows. Broker Elana Schoppmann emphasizes its 'grand scale' and 'royalty-like' living experience. The current owners combined the third and fourth floors in the early 1990s when the upstairs neighbors moved out. Both brokers involved are open to the idea of a buyer combining these two apartments into a single, three-story residence spanning approximately 6,300 square feet. Such a combination, however, would likely require board approval, as the building operates as a co-op. The mansion is also noted for being a rare 30-foot-wide limestone townhouse, sometimes referred to as the H. Bramhall Gilbert Mansion after its first owner. Neil Diamond is mentioned as the owner of the duplex penthouse on the fifth floor, a fact that dates back to a previous article from over 20 years ago. This simultaneous listing presents a unique opportunity for a buyer to acquire a significant portion of a historic Gilded Age mansion, offering expansive living spaces with original architectural details and the potential for a grand, custom-combined residence in a highly desirable New York City location. #GildedAge #LuxuryRealEstate #NewYorkCity #MansionApartments #RealEstateListing #UpperEastSide #HistoricHomes #CoOpLiving #ArchitecturalDesign