Meet the Kips Bay Designer: Leyden Lewis
The New York designer crafts an atmospheric lounge at the 50th anniversary Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York
Leyden Lewis is an artist, interior designer, product designer, and creative entrepreneur whose work explores the human experience through culturally rich, thought-provoking design. Trained in architecture at Parsons School of Design, his multidisciplinary practice blends interiors, fine art, and exhibition, drawing inspiration from European Modernism and the global traditions of the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Southeast Asia. His studio’s work is rooted in storytelling—bridging art history with contemporary expression—while honoring the origins and evolution of design across the African diaspora.
Lewis’s projects span interiors, curatorial work, and furniture design, reflecting a reverence for diverse visual languages and a commitment to modern narratives.
What was the inspiration for your room at this year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York?
“Conceived as a modern-day salon, this space celebrates the art of conversation—where music drifts through the air, ideas are exchanged, and moments of rest offer aesthetic nourishment. Once the home’s library, it now becomes an intimate stage for dialogue and reflection, its walls wrapped in a deep, sumptuous aubergine that embraces guests in warmth. Here, an art collection is not merely displayed but engaged with, sparking connections and inspiring the exchange of perspectives.”
Please tell us about a significant piece that helps shape the mood of your space.
“Two signature elements define the lounge’s design. The first is a sculptural cast-concrete fireplace surround—Design No. 3 from my OBIA product line. The collection, aptly named Wabele, draws its name and inspiration from West Africa, where the term refers to a fire-breather or fire-spitter mask. Here, the fireplace becomes the ‘face’ of the room, anchoring the space with both presence and cultural resonance.
The second is a double-sided lounge chaise from my Jab-Jab collection of upholstered seating experiences. This piece, along with two companion designs, was first unveiled in The Underground Library—an installation created with the Black Artists and Designers Guild for this year’s Cooper Hewitt Triennial. Together, these elements infuse the room with narrative, craftsmanship, and a dialogue between art, culture, and design.”
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?
“This Kips Bay project is a pure expression of my style—layered, culturally resonant, and rooted in dialogue between art and architecture. I’ve transformed the former library into a modern salon, anchored by my Wabele cast-concrete fireplace and the double-sided Jab-Jab chaise, both drawn from my own collections. It reflects my ongoing commitment to infusing interiors with narrative, heritage, and sculptural form—while seizing the chance to create a space that’s as much about living as it is about art. This project also marks my return to the Kips Bay stage after 26 years, making the opportunity both a creative milestone and a personal homecoming.”
What does it mean to you to be back at Kips Bay?
“As a Kips Bay alum, it’s truly an honor to return after nearly three decades. The experience allows me to witness my own evolution—how years of honing my skills have expanded my design vision—while also recognizing the constants in my ideas and approach to creating homes. It’s both a celebration of growth and a reaffirmation of the core values that have always guided my work.”
What does it mean to you to be part of the 50th anniversary of Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York?
“Kips Bay is an institution in the interior design world—a master class showcasing some of the nation’s finest design and decoration. For residential design, it’s a stage where one can demonstrate their mastery, push creative boundaries, and share a fully realized vision with an audience that truly appreciates the craft. To be part of its 50th anniversary is to join a living legacy of designers who have shaped the conversation about beauty, innovation, and the art of the home.”