Visionary design takes center stage.
A great show house doesn’t just reflect what’s happening now—it anticipates what’s next. The 51st Kips Bay Decorator Show House does exactly that. Set within an 1839 Greenwich Village townhouse at 80 West Washington Place (once owned by American composer John Philip Sousa), the 2026 Show House celebrates bold, imaginative design that remains, at its core, deeply livable.
Spanning six stories and nearly 9,000 square feet, the residence features six bedrooms, eight baths, and three private outdoor spaces. A roster of 22 designers, many Show House first-timers, had the rare opportunity to dream big in their own space within this historic downtown setting.
That said, the Kips Bay Decorator Show House is more than a celebration of great design. Since its founding in 1973, it has raised more than $33 million for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, supporting life-changing educational and enrichment programs for young people across New York City. From September 16 through October 13, the proceeds from ticket sales help advance that mission.
Whether you're planning to tour the Show House in person or explore it from afar, read on to see the seven design trends we spotted throughout the space—you’re sure to see plenty more of them in the coming year.
Meticulous Materiality
The primary bedroom, designed by John Ferguson Interiors and titled The New Connoisseur, feels lush, touchable, and comforting—as any dream sleep space should. While velvet and linen details create an appealing juxtaposition, the grasscloth ceiling is one of the most interesting features of the space: It was cut and layered to create an oversized checkerboard pattern that looks flat in certain light and highly textural in others.
The “No Bad Seats” Space
Kelly Zerbini of Dunnam Zerbini Design describes her Velvet Hour Lounge as the “pulse of the home,” and we loved that it eschews the usual hierarchy of living room seating, with each piece stepping into the spotlight in its own way. Even the floor, covered by a plush custom rug by Edward Fields Carpet Makers, is a uniquely appealing place to plop.
Evolved Biophilia
As the principal of her eponymous architecture and design firm, Celeste Robbins always tries to tie her projects back to the natural world. Her primary bathroom is titled Kasumi, the Japanese word for haze, and it displays a biophilic sensibility without any green hues in sight. Instead, marble, a glass-block sink platform, and a projection looping behind the mirrors give the sense of wandering through a misty forest.
Restrained Eclecticism
The Dressing Room, designed by Carrier and Company, has the quiet elegance of the English countryside—with a subtly eclectic twist. Disc-shaped light fixtures mounted on a metallic ceiling contrast the refined, classic shapes of the side chair and sofa.
Pint-Size Pedigree
Designer Kylie K. Bass’s Love Letter room is an ode to girlhood and generations of craftsmanship; nearly all the pieces in the space come from heritage brands with a meaningful family story to tell. While intended for a child, the room displays a warmth and maturity that will grow and change alongside its occupant.
The “Real Life” Aesthetic
The Editor’s Apartment by Chad Dorsey is a step back into the ‘60s, where a literary raconteur hangs his hat. Nearly all the furnishings in this workspace are vintage, having been collected through this imaginary resident’s travels. The space reflects a life’s work, proving that there need not be an overarching palette or scheme that dictates how a room organically comes together.
Alfresco Finery
The After Seven roof deck bends the perception of what an outdoor space can be. Designer Nicole Fisher wanted the escape to “feel like a members-only experience,” outfitting the covered bar and grill with sumptuous drapery, marble countertops, and even artwork—all made from materials that look and feel premium, but are designed to hold up to the elements.
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