Phil MansfieldFor the first time since its launch in 2018, the Kingston Design Connection hosted its annual Kingston Design Showhouse outside of Kingston, New York and it was a triumphant celebration of community. Twelve designers were brought in to transform a two story colonial style house nestled on Main Street in Stone Ridge, New York as a way to showcase the abundance of creative talent that Upstate New York has to offer. Though the house has undergone a gut renovation, it is still obviously full of history. The gorgeous light fixture that welcomes you into the home was there before the overhaul and has been refurbished. (The original owner's grandchild was reunited with this sentimental piece as a result of this event.) A custom wallpaper featuring a crimson rendering of the home was found throughout the house and turned into an art piece as an ode to the homes past. The front landscaping, a beautiful tribute to Scott Zimmer of Zimmer Gardens late mother, even features some of the original stones that lined the driveway. As expected, older homes come with their own set of quirks. One I particularly enjoyed was the way each designer chose to incorporate the radiators into their spaces by simply disguising them with a different Benjamin Moore paint.In order to bring the 19th century house into the present, designers called on local artisans and makers from Stone Ridge and its surrounding areas. Andrea Hutchman of Poppy Interiors, who flew in from LA to participate in the show, included locally sourced mirrors, ceramics, and a custom dining table in her punchy dining room. For a suite meant for the imagined lady of the house, design team Damour Drake chose to commission a custom china cabinet from local woodsmith Joseph Canelos of Canelos Studios to house delicate pieces made by Helen Prior of Hudson Valley, New York. The primary bath was built out with custom designs by the team at Studio Hinterland, complete with a built-in vanity featuring their signature bobble design Theres also no shortage of art throughout the home, including custom sculptures by participating artist Amanda Russo Rubman proudly on display in the second floor stairwell; Shana Luther Interiors intricate back porch floor mural, painted freehand by Marcie Paper; and the striking paintings by Jean Benoit that adorn the bordeaux-drenched walls of NJA Interiors Rosewood Water Lily bathroom. As in most show houses, the designers got a chance to let looseimplementing wishlist ideas theyve been pining to try. In the moody yet inviting kitchen, Alison Zavracky of Alison Zavracky Design Studio finally got her chance to install a curved marble backsplash. Leah Beswick, founder and principal designer of Casalore, developed her Japanese forest bathing inspired sanctuary around an ornate red daybed she had found on her travels and kept in storage for years in hopes of using it one day. Jessica Lynn Williams of Hendley & Co. got to live out her angsty teenage dreams in a playful, pattern wrapped Country Goth Parlor, creating a sitting room full of pieces she and her younger self would appreciate, complete with a pinboard bar top.Below, a full tour of the Kingston Designer Show House.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below1The Front DoorPhil MansfieldAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below2Dining Room by Poppy InteriorsPhil MansfieldAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Home Office by KD ReidPhil MansfieldAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below4The primary bedroom by Krishna FitzpatrickPhil MansfieldAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Primary Bathroom by Studio HinterlandPhil MansfieldAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below6Morning Room by Damour DrakePhil MansfieldAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Hall Bathroom by NJA InteriorsPhil MansfieldAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below8Meditation Room by CasolarePhil Mansfield