The 46thannual Kips Bay Decorator Show House, the May event that we covered both here and in our June print edition, left us with enduring impressions of dazzling design possibilities.
Some of the participants were certainly familiar to us, with designers including Bunny Williams, Alexa Hampton for Mark Hampton, Juan Montoya, Charles Pavarini III and Mark D. Sikes among those whose work we had featured before.
But there were a few newcomers who also made a strong impression, including Sasha Bikoff, B.A. Torrey and Wesley Moon.
So when we decided to head down to Manhattan for the NY NOW summer market trade show, which ran Aug. 12 through 15 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, we noted that Moon was to be a featured speaker.
At Kips Bay, the young designer had created a memorable debut, transforming what might be considered “throwaway,” and decidedly challenging, space – a butler’s pantry, wet bar and elevator landing – into an inventive and incredibly stylish alcove.
We had briefly interviewed Moon during the Kips Bay press days, so at NY NOW, it was a nice chance to hear more from the Atlanta-raised, New York-based designer and his aesthetic.
A group of those attending the show gathered early afternoon on Aug. 13, as Moon offered one in a series of “Trend Talks,” a low-key presentation that focused on his impressions of the show – and how they reflected what’s happening in interior design today.
Moon, whose experience includes developing residential communities with Martha Stewart (WAG’s July 2014 cover), had walked the show and shared his thoughts, drawing us in from the start:
“It’s very exciting because I can see a market change,” he said, noting the ubiquitous mid-century modern trend is definitely over.
“We sucked all the life out of it,” he said with a laugh, noting design was moving in “chronological order” to spotlight the 1970s.
Moon’s walking the show, he said, yielded trends that include a lot of blues, shades of green and a softening of “millennial pink” into blush tones, along with macramé, wood motifs and more ’70s touches.
He talked about integrating color, noting many people are still shy of going bold – but more accepting of the proverbial “pop of color” in a room.
For Moon, though, he has an inventive way to add color.
“As long as you keep the volume the same around the room, everything hums together.”
Great observation, right?
Of course, we took advantage of the day to walk the show, seeing all kinds of home décor, accessories and gifts that just might end up in our local stores and boutiques.
We ran into a few locals, of course, including Kevin Burke and David Kimelman of Burkelman in Cold Spring. See our separate post for details on what they were doing at NY NOW.
For more, visit wesleymoon.com, nynow.com or kipsbaydecoratorshowhouse.org.
– Mary Shustack
