Meet the Kips Bay Designers: James Dolenc and Tom Riker
The principals of Chicago studio James Thomas shape a powder room, hallway, and more at the 50th annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York
James Dolenc and Tom Riker, founders of the Chicago-based interior design firm James Thomas, have been creating authentic, personalized spaces since launching their studio in 2003. Together they craft bespoke interiors that are unapologetically sophisticated, inherently welcoming, and classically crafted.
James and Tom bring complementary strengths to their work: James is the storyteller, shaping the technical flow and architectural narrative of a space, while Tom is the editor, layering in refined details and distinctive elements that turn a house into a personal statement. Alongside their tenured team of designers, architects, and support staff, they work with clients across Chicago and the North Shore, with projects from Beverly Hills to Palm Beach and New York City to Sun Valley.
What was your inspiration for your room at this year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York?
“After a trip last fall to the Amalfi Coast, followed more recently by a vacation to a number of Greek islands, we gained inspiration from the architecture and interior design of those romantic destinations. For this year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House, we’ve brought those coastal memories to Manhattan, transforming the rear hallway and staircases into a romantic, sun soaked journey—think golden hour in Ravello or a breeze off the waters of Positano.
The space is wrapped in a warm wheat-colored Phillip Jeffries grasscloth, with custom paneling and crisp, blue painted moldings that introduce an architectural rhythm. Layered atop the grasscloth, a hand-stenciled pattern adds painterly details drawn from Greek antiquity, nodding to the ancient cultural threads that still ripple through the Amalfi Coast. Our color palette lives in a world of rich blues, deep terracotta accents, and creamy neutrals—shades pulled from weathered tile, antique Roman olive jars, and wild lemon trees.
The mood is relaxed elegance with a sense of history, warmth, and soul. At the second-floor landing, the drama unfolds. We’ve created a sculptural seating vignette anchored by an ornamental plaster door surround by Hyde Park Mouldings. The space is framed with romantic window dressings and punctuated by a floral installation that channels the untamed beauty of an Italian garden. It’s a moment of calm—a place to pause, exhale, and get lost, if only for a moment.”
Please tell us about a significant piece that helps shape the mood of your space.
“Working with our trusted specialty painter, we layered hand-painted details over the wheat-colored grasscloth to enrich and animate the walls. The ornamentation draws inspiration from the painted interiors of Villa Cimbrone in Ravello—historic in nature, yet in this context, it feels fresh and contemporary. It’s a nod to the timeless artistry of the Amalfi Coast, and a perfect example of how we love to incorporate artisanal, handcrafted details into every project.”
How does your work for this Kips Bay project exemplify your style as a designer—or is it just the opposite, something you have always wanted to try as a designer but haven’t found the client?
“Our Kips Bay space is very much ‘us’—joyful, gracious, and welcoming, with a strong sense of hospitality woven into every detail. We’ve always believed that even transitional spaces, like hallways and landings, can make a lasting impression, and this project is a celebration of that idea.”
What are you most looking forward to in the Kips Bay experience?
“We’re excited for the chance to spread our wings and design in a truly unrestricted, creative environment. The process has been incredibly rewarding for our firm—not only as a platform to push our own creative boundaries, but also as an opportunity to strengthen relationships within our team and with our valued vendor partners.”
What does it mean to you to be part of the 50th anniversary of Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York?
“It’s an incredible honor to be surrounded by so many talented designers, all working toward such a meaningful cause. The Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York represents the pinnacle of interior design, and we’re humbled to have a seat at the table for this milestone year.”