Vanessa Deleon’s Sky Lounge & Pool for the 11th Annual Holiday House

Interior designer Vanessa Deleon returns to Holiday House NYC to transform a bi-level sky lounge and pool room into a dreamlike oasis of serenity for the 11th edition of the annual event. Founded by interior designer and breast cancer survivor Iris Danker in 2008, the showhouse is a benefit for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BFRF). The theme of the room, “Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil, See No Evil” applies the proverbial principle towards cancer—if we can do away with the disease, we will never have to speak of it, hear of it, or see anyone suffer from it ever again.

One of twenty talented individuals/firms tapped to transform the eight-bedroom, 13,000-square-foot townhouse on the Upper East Side, Deleon took on the bi-level, loft-like space overlooking a pool on the top floor as a challenge.  “I wanted to design a space that was a complete departure from the fashion-driven, moody boudoir I designed last year,” says Deleon. To do so, the designer used the mesmerizing palette of blues on blues from the floor-to-ceiling Sicis mosaic already dominating the pool room as a jumping off point. As a means to enhance the seaside feel, Deleon created an art installation featuring photographer Laurie Fishman’s “Swimmers” series, which depicts small-scaled swimmers gliding through vast, open water. The circular grouping was designed to echo the circular chandelier overhead, while in the pool, round white LED-lit balls provide an ambient glow that illuminates the tiles.

In the eye-catching Sky Lounge, monochromatic furniture from Room & Board outfitted in durable, waterproof Sunbrella fabric encourages relaxation and elevates preconceived notions of outdoor furniture. Accent pillows and a Room & Board Cardiff rug in ivory/gunmetal sits underfoot a Phillips collection pebbled rock, kidney-shaped coffee table. Against the wall, a Phillips Collection Crown Console in silver leaf sits beneath avant-garde accents such as an artfully arranged wall grouping of pearl white and polished aluminum Ball on the Wall art pieces. Various artful accents such as wire lounging art pieces in male and female silhouettes and elongated sculptures depicting the Three Wise Monkey’s age-old directive (See No Evil, Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil) add interest and depth.

Deleon’s Holiday House creation reflects a cohesive, retreat-like space reminiscent of a seaside escape. Undertones of silver add an element of tranquility, subconsciously reminding the visitor to relax while still referencing the spirit of the holidays.  “Everything is essentially about a cause,” says Deleon. “At Vanessa Deleon Associates (VDA), we love to participate in various philanthropic events. While I thankfully have no one in my immediate family that has been affected by breast cancer, for the women who have been affected, this event offers a wonderful amount of support. Iris is an amazing woman, and I like being connected to anything she does.”

In an effort to provide as great a benefit as possible to the Breast Cancer Foundation, Holiday House NYC will feature fully “shoppable” rooms this year. Items will be on sale on One Kings Lane. The showhouse is open to the public from October 24th through December 2nd, 2018 and is located at 118 East 76th Street, New York, NY.

Photography By Alan Barry.

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