Kips Bay Show House looks like a million bucks - make that US$35m

New York

STEPPING onto the cool champagne marble floor in the octagonal foyer of the seven-storey townhouse at 58 E 66th St, you can't imagine that you're going to feel at home.

But wait - is that red gingham in the dining room and flea market art in the stair hall? This year, 22 of the nation's top designers managed to make a posh US$35 million 1909 mansion look glamorous as well as, yes, even a bit homey. Even the US$250,000 Christopher Peacock trophy kitchen has a warm vibe with its burled elm counter and custom-built Nespresso coffee capsule storage drawer.