As  a designer, what could be better than a chance to raid the inventory at Sotheby's? Thirteen lucky designers have the chance to do just that, at the 2nd annual Sotheby's Designer Showhouse (See last year's coverage here). Getting to tap the auction lots of fine and decorative arts, designers curate items from a wide stylistic assortment- from contemporary artwork to European furniture using the pieces in their vignettes.  Taking place on the 5th floor of Sotheby's in New York City from April 11-19th, the thirteen selected designers are busy creating spaces that include a varied array of  collecting categories from decorative arts, furniture and artwork from Sotheby's, which will be included in an upcoming auction April 20th. Presented by Sotheby's International Realty in association with Architectural Digest, the designers provide curated spaces pairing a cross-section of styles, co-mingling 300 items from several categories including European and Continental Furniture, fine art, silver and 20th Century design, to name a few.  Renderings of a few of the participating designer's vignettes can be seen below.  Creative inspiration strikes in this setting, where the only limit to the designer's imagination is the space.  I can't wait to see what these designers have planned this year, watch for more coverage showcasing the big reveal. 

2015 Sotheby's Designer Showhouse Designers:

Living Room: Claire Ratliff, Lee Cavanaugh, Alyssa Urban and Sarah DePolo of Cullman & Kravis

Family Room: Eric Cohler , Eric Cohler Design

Library: Juan Carretero, Capital C Interiors

Dining Room: Russell Piccione, Russell Piccione Design

Breakfast Room: Ashley Darryl, Ashley Darryl Interiors

Kitchen: Robert Schwartz and Karen Williams, Designers, St. Charles of New York in collaboration with Lindsey Schwartz, Creative Director, CURATED by St. Charles (Styling) Gaggenau (Appliances)

Foyer/Gallery 1: Janine MacMurray & Scott Francis, Area Interior Design Russell Piccione of Russell Piccione Design

Guest Bedroom: Robert Dean Harris, Harris Dean Interiors

Master Study: Leura Spielman, Laurel & Wolf

Master Bedroom: Trey La Fave, Trey LaFave Architecture and Interiors

Gallery 2: Allison Caccoma, Allison Caccoma Inc.

Sunroom: Meredith Ellis, Meredith Ellis Design

Garden: Hanna Packer, Hanna Packer Design, Inc. Susan Cohen, Landscape Architect

The Cullman & Kravis living room rendering

A sun room by Austin, Texas designer Meredith Ellis

A family room by Eric Cohler

Juan Carretero's library

Here are some of the fantastic pieces designers are including this year along with some incredible art:

LOT 21 PHILIP AND KELVIN LAVERNE COFFEE TABLE etched Philip and Kelvin LaVerne acid-etched and enameled patinated brass over pewter over wood 17 x 57 x 28 in. (43.2 x 144.8 x 71.1 cm) circa 1965 Estimate $12,000 — 18,000

LOT 151  A SWEDISH ROCOCO BLUE-PAINTED AND CARVED SOFA MID-18TH CENTURY Estimate $6,000 — 9,000

LOT 228 ERIK KOLLING ANDERSEN & JØRGEN MAGNUSSEN EASY CHAIR AND OTTOMAN Estimate $10,000 — 15,000

LOT 23 DAMIEN HIRST ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE Estimate $12,000 — 16,000

It's not of his famous subject matter, cakes, but this crowd knows and loves a good paint color! 

LOT 124 WAYNE THIEBAUD PAINT CANS Estimate $12,000 — 18,000

LOT 206 FAIRFIELD PORTER MAINE INLET Estimate $2,000 — 3,000

LOT 59 A REGENCY PART-EBONIZED GILTWOOD CONVEX GIRANDOLE MIRROR CIRCA 1810 Estimate $7,000 — 10,000

LOT 130  A RARE ENGLISH ART POTTERY VASE 1912 Estimate $4,000 — 6,000