With Spring in full bloom, highly anticipated design showhouses across the US made their debut in early May. The Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens, San Francisco Decorator Showcase, Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts and Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse in New York City each offered a golden opportunity to reimagine a historic property with unbridled creativity. A demonstration of pushing design boundaries and experimenting with new concepts, a designer showhouse often hints to what is on the horizon for the industry. We spoke with our collaborating designers on their innovative visions and the inspiration that sparked these spectacular vignettes.

Roomset of a Bespoke Handtufted Rug Bespoke Handtufted Rug | Project by GV Interiors | Photography: Nick Sargent

Kips Bay New York

Following a three-year hiatus, The Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse returned to New York City this past week and features the transforming work of 22 top tier designers on the Riverside Mansion, a historic property that overlooks Riverside Park and the Hudson River on New York’s Upper West Side. The 10,000 square foot home offered a unique challenge for the designers to bring a modern twist to this gilded age property. Attracting 15,000 visitors annually, the show house serves as a fundraiser for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club and its after-school enrichment programs for children in the Bronx. The Rug Company is a proud returning sponsor of Kips Bay.

Side angle roomset shot of a Bespoke Handtufted Rug Bespoke Handtufted Rug | Project by GV Interiors | Photography: Nick Sargent
Table view Bespoke Handtufted Rug | Project by GV Interiors | Photography: Nick Sargent

“Designing a rug was the very first thing that we worked on when designing this gorgeous parlour that is flooded with light and old-world charm. Cream was our colour of choice. We started by dividing the generously proportioned room into two spaces - a sitting area around the fireplace and a dining space or game table.

The two rugs are separated with a curved cut out that runs through the centre of the room. Creating a narrative is always the most fun when designing a room, and The Rug Company helped us perfectly execute our vision.”

- Ghislaine Viñas
Wide angle shot of dining space with Bespoke Handtufted RugBespoke Handtufted Rug | Project by GV Interiors | Photography: Nick Sargent

"Reflecting on the history of the home and association with Seagrams, we named our Kips Bay room “Good Spirits.” Within the design of the rug are carved illustrations of whiskey bottles, ice cubes, and glasses. It’s subtle but intriguing, and I love that it hides a little story. It both completes and ties together the space better than we could have imagined!”

- Ghislaine Viñas

Custom Woven Jacquard Rhapsody rug by The Rug CompanyCustom Woven Jacquard Rhapsody Rug| Project by Clinton Smith | Photography: Nick Sargent
Woven Jacquard Rhapsody - Custom Custom Woven Jacquard Rhapsody Rug| Project by Clinton Smith | Photography: Nick Sargent

“In my room, dubbed The Hideaway, I wanted to create a jewel-box like space where someone could retreat and relax. A room for respite. A celestial-inspired wallpaper envelopes the room and creates an otherworldly vibe.

I knew that I wanted a plush wall-to-wall carpet to ground the space. Getting to customise the Rhapsody design from The Rug Company let me create a striking, yet subtle, one-of-a-kind piece that adds another evocative element and a luxurious quality. Walking across the sumptuous carpet contributes to the room’s transportive sensibility.”

- Clinton Smith
Second angle of the living space featuring Custom Woven Jacquard RhapsodyCustom Woven Jacquard Rhapsody Rug | Project by Clinton Smith | Photography: Nick Sargent

“My design approach was to celebrate nature and artisans who create beautiful pieces with elements of nature. We started with the abstract leaf patterned rug brought to life by The Rug Company. Their team made the bespoke process unfold with great excitement and anticipation. The end result is amazing and has received so many compliments!”

- Kesha Franklin
Jacquard Green Fauna - Bespoke RugBespoke Woven Jacquard Green Fauna Rug | Project by Halden Interiors | Photography: Nick Sargent
Wall to Wall staircase featuring Bespoke Woven Jacquard Green Fauna RugBespoke Woven Jacquard Green Fauna Rug | Project by Halden Interiors | Photography: Nick Sargent

Lake Forest

Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens presents the work of 40 interior and landscape designers who have reimagined the Georgian style home originally contrived by architect Walter Frazier in 1969. Set across nine acres, the newly transformed estate features exceptionally inspired and experimental design. The Rug Company is a proud returning sponsor of this highly anticipated and attended design event in the Chicago area, which benefits the Infant Welfare Society and its ability to provide healthcare to underserved families in the local chapter of Lake Forest, Illinois.

Project by Evan MillardSplendour by Guo Pei | Project by Millard LLC | Photography: Jeffrey Johnson
Splendour in a project by Millard LLCSplendour by Guo Pei | Project by Millard LLC | Photography: Jeffrey Johnson

"The Center Retreat is designed as a place to unwind & relax. With inspiration taken from nature, lush plantings are punctuated by the sounds of trickling water.

Woven wicker, gold-toned textiles & original works of art have been thoughtfully layered with shades of blue & white to create an atmosphere of tranquility & peace."

- Evan Millard
Closeup shot of SplendourSplendour by Guo Pei | Project by Millard LLC | Photography: Jeffrey Johnson
Splendour adorns this living space with table and chairsSplendour by Guo Pei | Project by Millard LLC | Photography: Jeffrey Johnson
Alpaca underneath table and glass table Alpaca by The Rug Company | Project by Joey Leicht Design | Photography: Ryan McDonald
Alpaca featured in Joey Leicht Design's ProjectAlpaca by The Rug Company | Project by Joey Leicht Design | Photography: Ryan McDonald
Poppies featured in a project by Jenny Brown DesignCustom Poppies by Adam Hunter | Project by Jenny Brown Design | Photography: Aimée Mazzenga
Custom Poppies - Jenny BrownCustom Poppies by Adam Hunter | Project by Jenny Brown Design | Photography: Aimée Mazzenga

“We were instantly drawn to the Poppy border design, when it felt fresh and yet rooted in tradition. It’s a modern take on the classic floral - a timeless design I expect we will see more of with the renewed love of botanicals in fashion and home design. It elevates our room in ways we could not have imagined and complements the elements of the space while being a piece of art in its own right.”

- Jenny Brown
Bed with a Custom Poppies by Adam Hunter underneathCustom Poppies by Adam Hunter| Project by Jenny Brown Design | Photography: Aimée Mazzenga
Chairs featuring similar colour scheme as Custom Poppies rugCustom Poppies by Adam Hunter| Project by Jenny Brown Design | Photography: Aimée Mazzenga
Diane von Furstenberg AnimaliaAnimalia by Diane von Furstenberg | Project by Joy Williams for Joyful Designs Studio | Photography: Ryan McDonald
Project by Joyful Design StudioAnimalia by Diane von Furstenberg | Project by Joy Williams for Joyful Designs Studio | Photography: Ryan McDonald

"An Afro-future Energy Room with celestial origins where the Dogon rode the cosmos with Nommos. Inspiration began with Ai generated art from Ed Maximus’ Shape Shifter series and referenced back to ancient times with our custom window panels of the Dog Star Deity, Anubis - designed by Joy Williams and made by Fuller Architectural Panels."

- Joy Williams
Alexander McQueen's Monarch Fire in a project by Lauren Collander InteriorsMonarch Fire by Alexander McQueen | Project by Lauren Collander Interiors | Photography: Dustin Halleck
Alexander McQueen's Monarch FireMonarch Fire by Alexander McQueen | Project by Lauren Collander Interiors | Photography: Dustin Halleck
Lauren Collander Interiors - Deep Pile Merino Natural RoundRound Deep Pile Merino Natural by The Rug Company | Project by Lauren Collander Interiors | Photography: Dustin Halleck

“The three zones of the room: one to rest, one to lounge, and one to dress, all display the design concept "Embodiment of a Woman". Notice the elements that balance strength and softness in each area. Custom furniture and cabinetry, a standout Vladimir Kagan sofa, incredible artwork and rugs, and rich fabrics and wallcoverings fill the room.”

- Lauren Collander
Round Rug - Deep Pile Merino project by Lauren CollanderRound Deep Pile Merino Natural by The Rug Company | Project by Lauren Collander Interiors | Photography: Dustin Halleck
Sarah Vaile Design - Gesture RunnerCustom Handtufted Gesture Runner by The Rug Company | Project by Sarah Vaile Design | Photography: Heather Talbert
Custom Rug - Gesture Runner Project by Sarah Vaile DesignCustom Handtufted Gesture Runner by The Rug Company | Project by Sarah Vaile Design | Photography: Heather Talbert
Gesture Runner - Custom HandtuftedCustom Handtufted Gesture Runner by The Rug Company | Project by Sarah Vaile Design | Photography: Heather Talbert

San Francisco

The San Francisco Decorator Showcase returned to the stunning Sea Cliff neighbourhood by way of a stunning 18th-century Mediterranean-style home. Featuring the work of 23 design firms, this year’s showcase embraces the coastal environment while elevating the California-cool aesthetic with luxe textures and intriguing contemporary forms. In its 44th year of existence, the San Francisco Decorator Showcase is proud to have raised over $17 million to benefit the San Francisco University High School in its commitment to diversity and supplying 20% of the student body with financial aid grants.

Avant Graphite in a project by Lizette Marie InteriorsAvant Graphite by Kelly Wearstler | Project by Lizette Marie Interiors | Photography: Randall Shulman
Lizette Marie InteriorsAvant Graphite by Kelly Wearstler | Project by Lizette Marie Interiors | Photography: Randall Shulman
Avant Graphite featured in a project by Lizette Marie InteriorsAvant Graphite by Kelly Wearstler | Project by Lizette Marie Interiors | Photography: Randall Shulman

“Warm and inviting are keywords to use when describing this design. We wanted to make it feel like you could be anywhere — Madrid, Paris, London, Milan, or indeed, San Francisco. Our goal was to reinterpret an old San Francisco mythic quality with a modern twist, sensual and sophisticated, yet cozy enough for a young family to feel at home.”

- Kimberly Denman
Kimberly Denman's project featuring Deep Pile Merino NaturalDeep Pile Merino Natural by The Rug Company | Project by Kimberly Denman Inc | Photography: Jose Manuel Alorda
Kimberly Denman IncDeep Pile Merino Natural by The Rug Company | Project by Kimberly Denman Inc | Photography: Jose Manuel Alorda
Kimberly Denman IncDeep Pile Merino Natural by The Rug Company | Project by Kimberly Denman Inc | Photography: Jose Manuel Alorda

Pasadena

This year the 2023 Pasadena Showcase House of Design revisits an historic 1933 colonial estate that previously hosted the event in 1983 featuring a transformation of inspiring design with spectacular acreage in a storied Pasadena neighbourhood.

Alexander McQueen's Monarch SmokeMonarch Smoke by Alexander McQueen and Mohair Border Emerald by The Rug Company | Project by R/terior Studio Rydhima Brar | Photography: Jess Issac Photography

"Inspired by nature, I wanted to design a space which is day to night, a lounge that almost felt like a resort. To create some interest and increase the square footage, layering the rugs in a nontraditional style was the perfect solution.

It gave this illusion of an irregular rug in the expansive space which complimented the chairs and furniture perfectly. The silk textures of the Monarch butterflies and the soft mohair and wool textures of the solid rugs triggered a feeling of warmth and coziness”

- Rydhima Brar
The Rug Company' Mohair Border Emerald by The Rug Company and Monarch Smoke by Alexander McQueen | Project by R/terior Studio Rydhima Brar | Photography: Jess Issac Photography
Alexander McQueen Monarch FireMonarch Fire by Alexander McQueen and Portobello Pink Plain Wool by Farrow & Ball | Project by R/terior Studio Rydhima Brar | Photography: Sarah Rose Photography

Read more about these US Showhouses at ArchitecturalDigest.com