Openings. In the fascinating sensory energy explore that is Feng Shui, doors and windows represent voices. These openings between spaces and moments are like the voices, ours or others, that alter our paths. Doors are voices of authority or parents, while windows are the voices of creativity or children. Openings are the go-between, the energy that connects us.

Holiday openings in NYC are a heady mix of the voices and vibration of miracles, tradition and gifts…all hailed within a space of joy we share for the possibilities of a new year approaching.

One of my favorite traditions every year is Holiday House, a designer showhouse that warms up the soul for the holidays, like the soft, bright lights of a destination in a wintery night. In previous years, I’ve compared it to the board game of Clue, with a wish or story in every room, this year the 2022 Designer Showhouse event is a study in contrasts with one penthouse apartment splashed with eclectic designs and the other showcasing the nuances of neutral design.

Open until Dec. 11, at The Kent, a 30-story luxury residential tower on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, each room enjoys what must be the hugest windows and the most incredible views of the skyline, East River and Central Park! Hello creative voices!

One for the heart: 14 exuberant years in, the event proceeds help raise critical funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Founder, creative director and breast cancer survivor, Iris Dankner, co-chairs Amy Lau and Jean Shafiroff, (who always wins the best-dressed award!), seen here with Iris and Patti Carpenter. The evening was presented by Extell and CL Investment Group, along with the many, many contributing design and resource names, plus Benjamin Moore, ready to celebrate with their pink hue color for 2023, Raspberry Blush.

As is our custom, we share with you 9 TRENDS WE LOVED FROM GIFTED VOICES …Plus, a little Feng Shui-inspired commentary, peppered with a dash of numerology and chakras, following our 9 Stars Passport, our GPS system for life, a Design Sync of our Bodies, our Spaces, our World.

Did you think chakra energy centers were just in our bodies? Oh no! Come, let’s explore more!

TREND 1. EXUBERANT POEMS

 Designer: Alison Rose x Roche Bobois, alisonroseny.com

At the root and foundation of any home is the magnetic gathering spot ~ at Holiday House it’s where the bar is. The Grand Salon.

It’s my favorite room this year. People gathered at the watering holes, one, a crazy quilt, harem island of acid-trippy patterns and an exuberant, violet caterpillar couch by Roche Bobois, capped with a captivating neon green photo of a series of doors.

Transitory, ancient and modern at the same time, quixotic Chinese calligraphy graffiti splashed across one wall like a Basquiat, a collaboration between Alison Rose and Rachel Thicks. It felt like an unearthed  poem. Is it surprising that Alison’s earliest memories are of spending her formative years in the pioneering workspace of her mother at New York City’s Museum of Natural History, a place where dramatic vignettes inspire fantastical, detailed environments?

WHY IT WORKS. Intention. Root. Grounding. Community. Family. Where it all begins is via our first chakra in our body and yes, public and private spaces have that energy center too. Honoring these recharge rooms with an intriguing mix of ancient tradition and comfort plus the energy of EXUBERANT POEMS hits the spot!

TREND 2. HEALING HALLWAYS

 Designer: Aamir Khandwala

The hallways that connect the room worlds at Holiday House turn into a labyrinth of galleries. I loved the undulating red carpet that softened the trek in the “Winter Solstice” gallery, by Aamir Khandwala, where giant crystals and vast sparkly interstellar photographs of Aurora Borealis inspired.

Designer: Katie Brandt Interiors, katiebrandtinteriors.com

In another hallway, designed by Kate Brand Interiors, grouped abstract black and white graphic explorations meet a star spotted rug underfoot. The essence of energy movement through simple graphic boldness and contrasting relationships function like a clarifying shot of caffeine or green juice. Attention held!

WHY IT WORKS. The second chakra is about crystalline, earthy connects of desire and passion. The basic ego transactions of life between self and others, like money, sex, fears and hopes. Imagine creating HEALING HALLWAYS that remind you to steady your breath and connect to the cosmos!

TREND 3. A MEDITERRANEAN MEET IN THE MIDDLE

Designer: A-List Interiors, alistinteriors.com

Pop into the “Roman Holiday” room and suddenly you are in Italy with all the classic richness and elegance that inspires the legendary Italian beauty and ingenuity.

From the scenic mural wallpaper of gentle massive trees to tiny details like lush coffee-table books, all an invitation to a centering slowdown.

WHY IT WORKS. The third chakra, at the core of a home or our bodies, is the earthy energy of the middle, heath and vibrancy, like a sun. It’s the light, where we center, process and merge. A MEDITERRANEAN MEET IN THE MIDDLE is a bright centering trend, perfect to incorporate in any space for a heal, like a sunny atrium in Rome, the classic focal point of a home.

TREND 4. THINK PINK

Designer: Zimmerman. Wearer: Honorary Chair Jean Shafiroff. 

An extraordinary dress might launch a thousand ships or inspire a cause… behold philanthropist, Jean Shafiroff, who consistently graces red carpets in elegant and eclectic couture.

Her layered, transparent sheer pink fluff dress with tiny, dangling pink crystals by Zimmerman captivated and captured the buoyant hope brought by the work of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

WHY IT WORKS. The fourth chakra represents the heart, mentors and travel, all expansive pursuits of joy. The symbolism of THINK PINK is a call to soften, nurture, and celebrate our capacity for vulnerability, healing and love.

TREND 5. SOFT VOICES

Designer: Elsa Soyars, “Gatsby 2022,” elsasoyars.com

Soft n’ Sexy. Soaring the heights of the penthouse master bedroom entitled “Gatsby 2022,” is a gold and beige Fromental wall covering of undefinable, yet lyrical organic forms. It creates a perfect balancing and grounding mood between the massive floor to ceiling windows. The sand tones made this wild-color girl both sleepy and excited…which is what bedrooms are for.

Designer: K.A. Murphy, “Into The Wild” kamurphyinteriors.com

The Cocoon of the Baby’s Room. Nursery wallpaper from Phillip Jefferies with textural embroidered swans floating and diving through lil fluffy clouds inspired the whole “Into The Wild” room and suited the contemplative window view of the wild city well. Protective animal spirits populated the room, I especially loved the animal baskets in this nurturing cubby hole, guardians of story time.

WHY IT WORKS. The 5^th chakra is the voice and our higher, expanded creative expressions. With all the vocal clamoring in the public square these days, we all need the remedy of SOFT VOICES.

TREND 6. REFLECTIVE DIMENSIONS

 Designer:  Alison Rose x Roche Bobois

Again with Grand Salon? Yes, a reflective on dimension. Yes, because the most exciting square footage in Holiday House showcased a painting on the wall in conversation with an extraordinary 6-foot flower arrangement that could have been a dragon or a sea creature. The glass dining table offered a dreamy reflective pool conversation between the art and the organic beauty. It was fluid and inter-dimensional. A slow luxury trend to support our evolving perspective on the world post-COVID and crazy.

WHY IT WORKS. Chakra six is the third eye, the beyond-3D-duality that inspires in yoga and in Feng Shui, in short it is “wisdom.”  Designing with light and reflection elicits a wise contemplative, be-here-now, in the moment soothe with REFLECTIVE DIMENSIONS.

TREND 7. TRANSFORMING COLLABS

 Designer: Cynthia Rowley x Parete paretewalls.com

This collab unfolded a multi-hued sensoria “butterfly sanctuary in the sky, harnessing the power of nature and color to set hearts aflutter.”

The charm of millions of butterflies flit-flitting about on the walls and a telescope to spot migrating Monarchs outside (yes they love NYC too) transformed this room to a butterfly cocoon commune.

Deemed the pioneer of “surf-leisure” by Vogue, Cynthia Rowley’s signature wetsuits and neoprene swimwear are displayed in an adjoining closet. Her garments are made with recycled materials and green technology, so the result is a gentler impact on butterfly and human habitat. The promise of A TRANSFORMING COLLAB, indeed.

WHY IT WORKS. The seventh chakra is transformation, which is so elemental to life, that someone, somewhere, somehow invented a caterpillar / cocoon / butterfly magic.

TREND 8. TINY HOUSE/TINY OFFICE

 Designer: KRID Studio, kridstudio.com

Got an extra empty closet? No I didn’t think so. But if you did, it could be turned into a tiny office!

The key is expansive details, like the live feed, huge high-definition computer screen that functions like a window via a video camera mounted on the terrace. Glass of champagne, also necessary for a tiny office!

WHY IT WORKS. Chakra eight is all about career, life path and destiny. A TINY HOUSE/TINY OFFICE with an expansive view suits the NYC spirit and those with too many closets.

TREND 9. TERRACE PASSIONS

Designer: ML Interiors  “A Love Letter to NY” minalisanin.com

The ninth chakra is all about relationship. 

I happened to catch two people actually doing that relating thing, see the lady in the jade green dress with the orb on the left magnetize towards the green pants man on the right underneath the twilight above a diamond city.

Design-wise, the terrace heart beats came from sculptural large furniture perfect for cuddling, like an adult playland. Swervy orange loop chairs for all kinds of fun by Tupelo whispered my name and the name of my secret lover for a big bear hug.

Love notes were scattered about, including the Sarah N Co. moss art wall, festooned with a pink ribbon.

WHY IT WORKS. Playfulness is the number 1 most important quality in any relationship. Don’t you agree?

Speaking of fun relationships, we wish you joyful holidays!

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Holiday House NYC’s Fall 2022 Designer Showhouse event will run through December 11^th with general admission tickets priced at $40. Tickets can be purchased here.

Founded by interior designer and breast cancer survivor Iris Dankner in 2008, Holiday House is an interior design showhouse in which top interior designers and lifestyle brands can showcase their talent. All proceeds from Holiday House events benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. You can learn more about Holiday House by visiting their website at www.holidayhousenyc.com

The event sponsors included Nash Stone Group, M. Daddio, Inc. Builders, Exequor Wellness, Fabricut, Phillip Jeffries, New York’s Little Elves, Roche Bobois, Kirsch, Benjamin Moore, Ann Gish, Parete, Top Hat Home Services, Tito’s Vodka, Royal Botania, Modernist Cuisine, FJ Hakimian, Studio Greytak, Neil Kerman Gallery, Frette, Stark Carpet, AJ Madison and John Lyle. Media Partners included Modern Luxury Manhattan, Hamptons Real Estate Showcase, and Park Magazine.

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Photos by Jade Dressler, unless otherwise noted.