“Raising the Zarr” — Through the Lens of Jeff Jones

“Life is short. Make it beautiful.”

Nicole Zarr showcased her design in the Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Hey friends, Jeff Jones here — and this time, I wasn’t crashing a cocktail party; I was behind the camera, capturing Nicole Zarr’s jaw-dropping room for the Kips Bay Decorator Show House. Let me tell you, photographing this space? Total dream.

First Impressions

Walking in, my camera practically jumped out of my bag. Nicole’s “Raising the Zarr” room is playful, polished, and full of personality — exactly what she describes on her blog (nicolezarr.com/kips-bay).

Chocolate walls, canary-yellow drapes, and floral panels that look hand-painted — it’s that perfect mix of elegance and whimsy. Every angle I turned to, every corner I framed, begged for a photo. This space doesn’t just look good — it asks to be documented.

Warm light, golden textiles, and a hint of mischief — Nicole’s design feels both cinematic and deeply personal.

Bold Details

Let’s talk details. The bar is custom-built, cleverly designed, and full of sparkle — every glass, vase, and accent feels intentional. The Rubelli geometric yellow fabric on the banquette pops in photos like it’s alive, and that vintage brass-and-glass coffee table? It plays with reflections like a dream.

Nicole calls this room “serious style with a sparkle of irreverence,” and she’s not kidding. Every surface, texture, and color is playful yet sophisticated — exactly what makes a photo feel dynamic.

Bold and balanced — a masterclass in mixing eras, patterns, and a touch of attitude.

Old Meets New

One of my favorite things to capture? The way Nicole layers time periods like textures. An 18th-century secretary sits gracefully beside an Italian Savonarola chair covered in fearless textiles. The wallpaper nods to 16th-century Florentine block prints, while those chocolate-brown tones make every yellow and pink pop.

There’s movement and humor in this room — the kind that pulls you in and keeps your lens searching for more.

A room that celebrates contrast — old-world grace meets modern wit.

Why This Room Feels Alive

As a photographer, you can feel when a space breathes. Nicole’s design does exactly that. There’s energy in every corner — a rhythm created by bold patterns, lush fabrics, and playful touches that make you linger longer, frame tighter, and find one more perfect shot.

This isn’t just good design — it’s storytelling through texture, tone, and pure joy.

My Final Shot

After hours photographing every angle, I had to step back and admire Nicole’s vision. She created a space that’s stylish, cheeky, and full of surprises — exactly the kind of room that makes both the eyes and the camera happy.

Photographer: Jeff Jones
Designer: Nicole Zarr Associates

If you ever want to see what happens when bold design meets impeccable taste (and a wink of fun), check out Nicole Zarr’s Kips Bay room. Every frame tells the story — and trust me, it’s one worth capturing.