Armillary Sphere at Kips Bay Show House

The eagerly anticipated Kips Bay Decorator Show House opened last week in Palm Beach in Florida, and thanks to Oxford Design, who have designed the outdoor terrace, our Armillary Sphere has taken centre stage.

Oxford Design are one of a select group of renowned interior designers who will reimagine each individual room of this 7,706 square foot, 1930s home, using the history and location of the property as inspiration for their designs. The house is open to the public for three weeks and will help raise funds for the local community.

Delighted to have been asked by the Tampa-based studio to contribute our original sundial, we caught up with Tate Casper, one of the founders (alongside Jordan Winston), to discover more about their eclectic design and why they felt drawn to Armillary Sphere, as well as finding out how they went about expressing their signature interior style in an outdoor space.

Tell us about your design for Kips Bay.

When we approached the initial design of our Kips Bay “Poolside Perch” we took inspiration from the birds which feature on the existing iron gate of the home and mark the main entrance to our terrace. We loved the idea of splitting the design to include an indoor and outdoor area. The front half of our space is designed as an interior space with interior decoration and upholstery while the David Harber Armillary Sphere is on axis with the door frame and beckons you outside to the uncovered loggia.

What does it mean to you to showcase your work at Kips Bay?

All of the design greats have showcased work at Kips Bay, but it always felt so far off and out of reach for us. We set a goal years ago to showcase a room, even if it was a tiny bathroom, and it took many steps to finally get us here.

We designed a show house bedroom in the Hamptons a couple years ago to better understand the logistical undertaking of a project like this and it definitely built our confidence. We poured our hearts into that bedroom and we received some attention for our efforts. Now our business is getting this opportunity in Palm Beach and it’s very exciting.

As interior designers, how does it feel to create an outdoor space?

Designing outdoor spaces is truly difficult. Our firm is known for layering patterns of textiles and love playing with prints. We blend new and old and we always work with an authentic blend of materials such as brass, steel, wood and iron. Exterior-friendly textiles and furniture are more limited, so we determined early on that the best way for us to showcase our style was to split the area into two.

What are the hottest trends in interior design at the moment?

We’re seeing a new enthusiasm for colour, antiques, and an eclectic mix of old and new design, which is a big shift from the mainstream, neutral, one-note rooms of the last decade.

In your opinion, what does sculpture bring to a design, and what advice would you give to anyone thinking about commissioning a piece?

Sculpture anchors a garden. It beckons you to come outside and stay a while. There is nothing more luxurious than a piece of outdoor sculpture, especially one that speaks to an owner’s value of and appreciation for nature and outdoor living. As with any art piece, we always tell clients to buy what they love and wait for the right piece. There is no greater joy than acquiring a piece of art. Commissioning a sculpture like the Armillary Sphere is especially thrilling as it is such a timeless beauty and it can be truly personalised. What a special, inheritable piece.

Where or how did you first come across David Harber and what drew you to our pieces?

Garden sculpture is difficult as most of the designs are very large and difficult to place in a residential garden. But David Harber’s pieces are so classic and subtly eye-catching. We adore the verdigris patina of the bronze Armillary Sphere and love how it sits on its pedestal in a sophisticated way.

Can you explain why you chose Armillary Sphere for this design for Kips Bay?

The aged patina is stunning, and looks old and storied. Having a sundial as part of the overall design felt right in context and we knew it would work as a proper anchor for our outdoor space. It is designed but not overly so, works with a range of settings, and we love how its design isn’t trying too hard and beckons a closer look. After days of install, I still don’t know if I have noticed all of its detail, which is the sign of a wonderful piece, there’s always a new way in which it can capture my attention.

The Kips Bay Decorator Show House is open to the public until the 16th March. The event helps fundraise for and support the local community. For more information and to find out how to plan your visit, visit the Kips Bay website.