MON ONCLE: HOLIDAY HOUSE cool fresh REMIX

I'm always curious to see the art display and collection reveal at Holiday House. Each year the chosen designers seem to find the most unusual and clever collectibles It is a delight to see the impact that art adds to custom spaces.

"There is no objective definition of beauty. All definitions amount to the same thing; that art is that which makes beauty manifest and beauty is that which pleases without exciting desire. But there is and can be no explanation of why one thing pleases one man and displeases another, so scientists cannot work out the laws of art "... Tolstoy

#warhol@rochebobois@Gaggenau@alanbarryphotography@jab@alphaworkshops

"Honeymoon in Paris" an homage to the Hotel du Crillon - showcased divine French details that surprise at every turn. Seductive soft pink walls, intricate hand painted wall coverings as well as splendid embroidered linens by Guillaume Gentet.

@guillaumegentet#yorkavenue#honeymooninparis#firstanniversary#embroideredlinen

This year, Baccarat and Amy Lau Design crafted a stunning space dripping in a million dollars of sparkling crystals, all included in an ongoing silent auction. Inspired by the elegance of La Galerie des Glaces (The Hall of Mirrors) at the Palace of Versailles in France, Holiday House’s sparkly version features a stunning $175k signature 48L Zenith Red & Clear crystal chandelier with 48 lights and 432 signature red octagon crystals. Adorned with twenty Baccarat Crystal “Supper” Chairs seated at $5k each. Celebrating its 250^th Anniversary, Baccarat decked out the grand parlor, one of the Mansion’s most elegant rooms.

@amylaudesigns@bacarrat_legendary@1stdibs#alanbarryphotography#LXTV

Caleb Anderson's "Personal Day" is a room designed for the sophisticate who values the tranquille moments. The day-off room is centered around a daybed on a silk area rug, reflected in glamorous custom cut ceiling mirrors (love). Gorgeous collectibles like the Shirley Goldfarb desk and artwork from Loretta Howard Gallery give the room an eclectic style that romantically balances the masculine and feminine moods. Antiques, Artwork, Books, upholstered walls and the ceiling bling give this library a bookmark that you will quietly remember.

@calebadesign#bookslastforever@lifeinsketch#yorkavenue

Andy Warhol - "My idea of a good photograph is one that is in focus and of someone famous".

Helmut Newton - "My job as a portrait photographer is to seduce, amuse and entertain".

Ansel Adams - "There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer".

Harrison Morgan - "If it's not on Facebook it didn't happen".

Holiday House 2014 was a break out year for photography.Images of the famed Academy Mansion dominated social media. Below are artful images from various photogs who captured the mood of the moment or ambiance of the space or that je ne sais quoi.

Thank you Alan Barry, Miguel Dominguez, Annie Watt, Mirra Studio, Holiday House Designers,York Avenue, Life in Sketch, Circa Lighting, Lonny, Peter Kubilus and 1stdibs.

@peterkubilus @cancerland@alanbarry @migueldominguez @avenueinsider

In the mansion’s wood-paneled former dining room is where designer Ally Coulter envisioned “An American in Rome.” She explains: “This is how I’d want to live in Rome, with a mix of contemporary pieces and antiques — and I must have a red Vespa.” Along with Old Master paintings and modern FENDI furnishings there are significant contributions by American designers Ralph Lauren and Dakota Jackson. The room seduces you with culture, including a pair of 19th-century Venetian grotto armchairs with carved-seashell backs opposite stylish 1960s Italian chrome table lamps.

The hand painted Steinway and the Italian themed books from Assouline help make this Roman Holiday a provocative American Hideaway.

@allycoulturedesigns#mirrastudio@alanbarryphotography@fendi#vespa#steinway#asssouline

Matthew Patrick Smyth is known for his elegantly livable aesthetic, so we knew to expect his serene “Anniversary Room” to be the ultimate space for sponsor Traditional Home. Traditional Home is celebrating 25 years of it's fine magazine. The room embraces you like a custom New York home with an upper crust attention to detail. Smyth balanced a late-Regency scrolled-arm mahogany sofa from Lee Calicchio and a circa-1820 rosewood center table from Sutter Antiques. Drapery, Sculptures, flower arrangements and even the books (Assouline) all played a key element in this sophisticated mix of new and legendary.

@matthewpatricksmyth@traditionalhome@1stdibs@assouline #antiques@circalighting

Skillful Social Style

Social media magician Patrick Hamilton has used the internet to create, share or exchange information, ideas and pictures/videos in virtual communities and networks. Few designers have the interactive platforms through which individuals and communities share, co-create, discuss and modify. Just check out his Pintrest Board specifically for Holiday House 2014. He lists all the product used in his colorful room.

"Derby Deconstructed" - is a cool mint green nod to the mint juleps that are typically sipped at The Kentucky Derby. The space is created with a certain "character" in mind - a colorful, sophisticated Southern woman who would be attending the Derby to cheer on her own horse. Designer Patrick Hamilton used a light fixture that could be mistaken for a hat worn by a race attendee and a large artwork that evokes the patterns seen on jockey silks.