“Coffee Cup,” a screen print by Robert Clarke (just $475!), at the Affordable Art Fair. (Rebecca Hossack Gallery)
A renovated period rowhouse in Boerum Hill is on Brooklyn’s City Modern tour. (Frank Oudeman)
The Gustafsson-Wells House, a private Staten Island home designed by McKim, Mead & White, will open its doors to the public during the Open House New York weekend.
On view in the foyer of the 2012 Holiday House are photos by Evelyn Lauder, including “Near the Boat House, Central Park, Spring 2001.”
Gio Ponti armchair in original striped fabric, circa 1955, at the International Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show.
International Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show, Oct. 19 to 25
When our collection of swords and snuff boxes is running low, we head to this fair, where dealers showcase all sorts of esoterica, as well as an impressive array of fine antiques, porcelain, rare books, pottery and much more. We’re also keen to see Charlotte Moss’ transformation of the cafe into an ornamental garden/dining area — complete with hedges! The benefit preview on Oct. 18 is one of New York society’s most glittering fall parties, with funds going toward the Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (tickets start at $200). Admission $20. Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave. Visit haughton.com.
Avenue Antiques, Art & Design Show, tomorrow through Sept. 24
Whether your taste runs to Early American antiques, Asian ceramics or Pop art prints, something will likely strike your fancy at this massive show, with more than 60 esteemed dealers. This year, attendees will see more fine arts exhibitors, including Waterhouse & Dodd (London, NYC) and Martin du Louvre (Paris), plus the show’s first photography gallery, Holden Luntz (Palm Beach). And it’s not just about shopping: There will be panel discussions with top designers such as Alexa Hampton, Bunny Williams and Amanda Nisbet. Admission $20. Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave. Visit avenueshows.com.
Affordable Art Fair, Oct. 5 to 7
Most of us don’t have millions to drop on a Warhol, but if you’ve got a C-note, then you, too, can get into the art game. True to its name, this fair offers original works from 60 cutting-edge galleries priced from $100 to $10,000, with more than half for less than $5,000. Plus, it’s being held at one of the city’s coolest venues, the Tunnel, a 1900s freight terminal turned ’80s nightclub. Get a jump-start on buying at the Oct. 4 preview (tickets $65). Admission $12 (free, 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 5). The Tunnel, 269 11th Ave. Visit affordableartfair.us.
City Modern, Oct. 6 and 7
Do you regularly drool over the pages of Dwell? Then this is your house tour, which features uber-modern spaces in Manhattan and Brooklyn, some hidden behind quite conservative prewar exteriors. The self-guided tours of five homes in each borough include a turn-of-the-century rowhouse in Boerum Hill that’s been gut-renovated and features a rear façade with floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s also an Alphabet City duplex with a living “garden wall” and reflecting pool in the living room. Single-day tour $120. Visit dht.dwell.com.
Open House New York, Oct. 6 and 7
Here’s your opportunity to get inside hundreds of architecturally important, sometimes little-known, often off-limits, spaces and places all around NYC — free of charge! They include 23 private residences — among them a McKim, Mead & White-designed residence in Staten Island, an architect’s pad in Jackson Heights that makes clever use of wall space, and the Via Verde LEED Gold development in the South Bronx. Teaming up for the first time with Interior Design magazine, OHNY will showcase the homes of 15 top designers and architects, among them Thomas Jayne and James and Hayes Slade (Slade Architecture). Visit ohny.org; a full event schedule posts on Sept. 26.
Holiday House, Oct. 25 to Nov. 18
What happens when top designers take over an Upper East Side mansion and turn it into a holiday-themed extravaganza? This supremely entertaining show house, where you can see a mix of styles paying homage to celebrations ranging from Christmas to Valentine’s Day to Earth Day. This year’s designers include Vicente Wolf and Stephanie Odegard, along with a special foyer display of photographs from the late Evelyn Lauder. There will also be an opening-night party Oct. 24 (tickets $250). Funds go to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Admission $30. 2 E. 63rd St. Visit holidayhousenyc.com.
Designer Visions, November and December
Sure, you can always pick up the winter issues of House Beautiful, Elle Decor and Veranda to see these interiors created by David Rockwell, Matthew Patrick Smyth and Antony Todd, respectively, but we recommend seeing the apartments in person — if only to get a sneak peek inside the luxe new 250 West St. condo conversion. The TriBeCa show house will be open to the public on select weekends. Admission $30. Visit designervisionsonline.com.