Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Why do we bother?

Every year I say that it was not worth the schlep (driving to a designated parking location, waiting for a shuttle to take us to the house and, after feeling immensely let down by what we have seen, reversing the journey and arriving home in a bad mood and out of pocket). Nonetheless, each year we go back and I must say it was with some trepidation because of the negative rumors surrounding it, that Sunday afternoon, together with three friends, we visited the Atlanta Symphony Decorators' Show House again.

I know in the world of decorating one is supposed never to be critical – amazing really when one considers the ever-churning rumor mill – so let me say only that there were highlights. Nothing OMG or I'm Loving This though I did hear a nostalgic Remember when? remark about when decorators used to learn their trade as assistants to the big names.

One such highlight was a basement room done entirely in its own products by IKEA – actually, an eyeopener for here was a room stylish, low-budget, livable, contemporary, and completely in the wrong place or, if not in the wrong place, it was being viewed by the wrong clientele (which I suppose is the same thing). I heard many a snobbish comment but I tell you honestly if I were starting out with little money I would seriously consider, after seeing that room, using IKEA products for my first flat. The disconnect is that most of the people visiting the show house are not just starting out and, frankly, stressing the inexpensiveness of it all, as the docents did, is not what thrills the oh, my dear lord! crowd avidly reeling in faux ticket shock. A highlight, if a strangely misplaced one.


"I do," said our friend, when I quipped "every A-list gay in Atlanta will want a version of this room. "As do I," I replied. We were looking at the brightest highlight of them all: on the lower level, a moody masculine, bodice-ripper of a room by Michael Habachy.


It is clear to me that Mr Habachy is one of Atlanta's most original designers and one who, with nightclubs, spas and restaurants on his resume, brings a completely different understanding of atmosphere and sociability to residential design – not for him the pallid prettiness that suffuses Atlanta decorating. A room where two men in tuxedos might sit, manhattan and negroni to hand, on their long-awaited wedding night, laughing about their first honeymoon thirty-five years before.

It was thanks to Uber we drove up the torrent that was the driveway to the suburban faux chateau hosting the show house (not for us, this time, the drive to the designated parking spot and then the shuttle). I feel I've seen more than my share of these houses, thus I cannot tell you I was impressed by the architecture inside or out. I'm just bored stiff with sheet-rocked grandeur. As to authenticity ... well, a tired joke at the best of times.

I do ask myself why we bother with show houses and I strongly feel that, year in, year out, its always the same. But it could be I just need to get out more – and we are, for in a couple of weeks time we're going to visit the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club forty-first annual Decorator Show House – neither of us has done it before though we have tried a few times to get their schedule matched with ours and the one time previous to this we did so, they had to cancel at the last minute. Let's hope it isn't another "why did we bother?"


Photos of Michael Habachy's room unattributed on the card I picked up so if anyone can tell me the name of the photographer I would be grateful and certainly would add it to this post.

24 comments:

  1. I feel the same way about the DC showhouses. I only go to feel like I won't miss anything and to be 'sociable'. Why are people so scared to actually do something interesting and stand out? Isn't that actually how you might get some work?
    I feared for this house when I first saw photos of it. Undeniably grand but maybe just a bit too much? I worried for the architectural detailing and if it suffered to allow for more SF.
    Thank you for your frank and honest assessment!

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    1. ArchitectDesign, thank you. I've had a like/dislike relationship with showhouses ever since I came to Atlanta twenty years ago. And therein lies the problem – I've seen too many, too much of the same-old same-old, and the paucity of ideas has become all too apparent.

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  2. OMG I loved the "moody masculine, bodice-ripper of a room." And that comes from a 63 year old hetero woman living in Kansas of all places. BTW, in this remodel the first floor of our house will be black with big windows and mirrors. And then there's the leopard carpet...

    Loved your writing. Can hear your sighs and feel your ennui. I hope Kips Bay lifts your spirits

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    1. home before dark, thank you.

      Black with big windows and mirrors sounds wonderfully glamorous – a room to dance in (once the leopard carpet has been rolled up) and I'll bet at night lit with candles the room will be spectacular.

      Yes, I was bored stiff.

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  3. Black and blue all over! I like this room very much. btw: is that a painting over the mantel, or a huge flatscreen? Hard to tell from the photo. And there must be a table to put down the drinks mentioned, is there not, which we can't see? I'm visualizing you and the Celt in tuxes in situ, drinks in hand, unwrapping wedding gifts!

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    1. Daniel James Shigo, thank you.

      I don't remember if it's a TV or not but I suspect it is for that deer's head could be a reflection. The black crystal chandelier worked very well in the space - the first time I've ever seen it used correctly. There are tables to put drinks down on.

      No gifts required, I'm afraid. What would one need after 35 years? The love and best wishes of friends, perhaps?

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  4. One should never underestimate Ikea. I've used some of their pieces when I've lived in a country where the store is nearby - for bookcases, wardrobes, bedside tables unseen sofa tables, office furniture etc. We now have one here in Bangkok, (but as I don't have a car here and it's miles away "somewhere", nor the need for any more furniture), I have not been. But I'm always curious to see what they have. Adaptability is the key, but some of their product is very useable. They do good very serviceable kitchen cabinetry too, although I've not tried it.

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    1. columnist, thank you.

      I agree with you about IKEA. We once installed an IKEA kitchen (four houses ago) and were perfect satisfied with it and though I didn't know it at the time, ideal for someone with a bad back.

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  5. "I know in the world of decorating one is supposed never to be critical" Oh dear. I never got that memo. NOW you tell me.

    I have to catch a ferry. I'll try to comment more about showhouses later. It's a subject ripe for discussion.

    And frankly, sometimes, some of the decorating is so dull because some of the designers are just plain not so good. But there are sometimes some very great surprises too, no?

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    1. The Down East Dilettante, thank you. Oh, yes, there are surprises alright – frequently breathtaking ones. I've often had to catch my breath after walking into a showhouse room.


      Decorators not so good, a lot untrained, and mostly speaking drivel when trying to explain their intent.

      A subject ripe for discussion, indeed, especially if one puts showhouses in the context of the changes that have gone on in the to-the-trade centers. I look forward to more of your commentary.

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  6. Blue, prepare to have your socks knocked off at Kips Bay...

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    1. Dean Harris, thank you.

      I'm fully prepared, very hopeful but not wide-eyed in wonderment. I'll certainly let you know.

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  7. Being critical is not for the faint at heart!

    Funny about IKEA. You have to admire their dynamic spirit and even what they do at times, but they seem to be everywhere. They send me invitations through my blog for all sorts of events in Paris. In some cases, like the one you mention, they are 'comme un cheveu sur la soupe.'

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  8. ...i thought it was just me...blessings laney

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    1. laney, thank you. No, there are probably a lot more who don't have any way of saying what they think.

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  9. There is something very Albert Hadley about this room which is most probably part of its appeal to you. Hadley was one of the few male designers of his era who could imfuse masculinity into a room. I agree with you about Showhouses. Many of the designers don't know when to stop and take a breath.

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  10. For some things Ikea is perfect. I keeps my computer in the closet,I purchased the Ikea Micke desk. Its squared off lines and white finish match the built in shelves in the closet,even with the closet door open it looks great.

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    1. Ted Tarrent, thank you. The Micke desk seems perfect to me as a small work surface with storage. I'll bet it looks perfect.

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  11. I agree that the IKEA room was unexpected in this type of showhouse, and yet, it was surprisingly pulled-together looking. Their designer did a very nice job.

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    1. The Peak of Chic,

      I agree that whoever put the room together did a very nice job. I would have pared it down more than it was but the point for IKEA is that they showed a complete room with various functions within it.

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  12. " not for him the pallid prettiness that suffuses Atlanta decorating." too true- the gilded Chippendale mirror, yellow damask camel back sofa,and a rose medallion bowl on a reproduction block front chest in the entry- The Atlanta Formula- What a breath (should I say force 5 gale )of fresh air this is !!!!!!

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    1. Thomas, thank you. You have described every house in the suburbs (both old and new). Lovely and gracious Chickendale.

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  13. Garden Tours & Show Houses must be written as A.O.Scott writes for the NYTimes.

    Why are garden & house tours coddled? Because they are raising money for a good cause?

    We see how far this takes them.

    Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

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    1. Tara Dillard, thank you.

      There certainly is a good cause behind all of them - be it only, as in Atlanta's case, an orchestra.

      As you say, garden (if only on a terrace) and be well.

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