Kips Bay Decorator Show House

When Marlowe was in Bloom is an ode to 1900s actress Julia Marlowe, River Mansion’s first occupant. Her Shakespearean showpiece tragedies and comedies, saturated with fantasy and whimsy, inspired our vision. World-traveling Marlowe single-handedly dominated Broadway stages, was self-supported, fought for Women’s Rights (including the right to vote), experienced great joy and tragedy in her lifetime. We aspired to create a Foyer and Main Stair Hall befitting a modern-era Marlowe.

Upon entering the home, one experiences movement through a curated dance of light and shadow. We anchored the room with a centrally placed chandelier entwined by living, twisted branches. Its light draws you to the Grand Staircase, where flowing and organic plaster curves counterpoint traditional wainscotting. We sculpted our spaces as a play of tenuous balance and juxtaposition, from architecture and furniture to accessories and styling. Modern materials and techniques transform the classical history of the house, maintaining a nod to the past while designing for the future. This combinative design can be a blueprint for historical restorations.

Our Enchanted Seduction Powder Room continues the whimsy and organic fantasy of our ‘play’ concept, a callback to Marlowe’s theatrical career. Blooming wallpaper, extravagant fixtures, rich colors, and materiality support this theme. The room’s composition balances sculptural elements with traditional architectural features and luxe materials to create a space worthy of Mrs. Marlowe in her prime. We’ve done our best to honor our muse and her extraordinary life by imbuing the design with her enduring essence.