FarmHouseUrban

New York City Visit: Windows and Doors

I had one day on my own, which I spent exploring the Chelsea galleries looking for some art for a San Francisco client. Along the way, marveling at all the unique entrances and how they each tell a different story about what's inside...

Entrance to Comme des Garcons

It was a cold day, but the sun was out - the ideal weather for walking in nyc.  What I found as I went from the bustling, crowded, zooming, honking, windy streets to the serene, quiet, calm of these galleries was that the back and forth of these two extremes had an incredibly relaxing effect.  

Perfectly frosted cupcakes at Billy's Bakery, luring in passers by.

Some store had this in the window.  So funny. Loved that they used taxi fabric. I could have used one of these the next day when I couldn't catch a cab downtown to save my ...life. Apparently, they were avoiding the Javitts Center while the marathoners were picking up their packets. Mass chaos, but it was inspiring to see all the runners. Got me considering perhaps giving it a whirl again next year... I said perhaps.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, our apartment was in a great location, especially for discovering new shops.  I highly recommend visiting Gracious Home.  There are three Manhattan locations. Gracious Home has got absolutely everything from Frette sheets to toasters, Swarovski crystal chandeliers to sandpaper.  It takes up two opposite corners and each store is jam packed with beautiful things.

From one day to the next, the windows went from fall to holiday.

A little walk through the store.

Love these sheets!

I still have a couple more posts for you from nyc - Food and Brooklyn. 

 

Giving Thanks

A heartfelt thanks to any and all who read FarmHouseUrban! I am so appreciative. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and for those abroad - a wonderful weekend!

 xo

Serena

French Soiree

Last Thursday we celebrated the opening of the store as well as the arrival of the most exquisite collection of antique french pieces. They include mirrors, trumeaux, engravings, botanicals and art.  The pieces were made by a French couple I met last spring - he an antiques dealer and she - a restorer of plaster moldings as well as an artist.  Combine the two talents and the results are the most gorgeous pieces made with fragments from the 16th-18th Century restored with combinations of new and old wood, mirrors and plasterwork from 100+ year old molds.  

Next week I will highlight each piece.  They each deserve their own moment in the spotlight. After all, they're quite old and have travelled very far!  In the meantime, Here's a peek. This one - my favorite - might not stay in the store very long.  I'm dreaming about it for our future powder room with all it's crusty aged glory. Against a black wall perhaps...

Setting up the crepe kitchen...

A hard decision narrowing down the crepe selection.  My daughter Lily helped. We went with 2 savory; ham and mornay (cheese sauce), and caramelized onion and mushroom with bechemel, and 2 sweet; Nutella and strawberry and sauteed apple with caramel.

Surprising how well the crepes paired with the champagne!

And let the party begin!  Photos from the party will be on our Facebook page later today.  Click on the link at the top of the blog.

For info on the crepe caterer click here.

New York City Visit: fashion

Confession - I'm not all that into clothes shopping.  However, I do like to look as though I am!  If I had a magic fairy that could make the perfect outfits appear in my closet so I would never have to try anything on, I would be a happy camper. In the meantime, I'll take my fashion cues from the ever stylish streets of the Big Apple.

This is a display of jeans at Scoop NYC - a great shop for everything - shoes, accessories, casual-to-party clothes.  Notice they're all flares?  They're back!  I couldn't be happier! I am getting a little tired of the skinny jean look unless they're worn with boots.  What do you think?

This past summer, I bought this pair of flare jeans called 'The Bell Jean' by Current/Elliot and I looove them!  I got them on Shopbop - free worldwide shipping in 3 days or less and free returns!

I found these two outfits below while surfing around the fashion blogs. They are just perfect for work-to-evening. 

 I also found this picture - in my opinion, the perfect outfit.

source
Another trend I'm glad is on the way out are over-the-knee boots. Whenever I've tried on the high heeled versions I look like a total hussy - not that I'm judging - it's just not the look I'm going for :) The flat ones make me feel like a pirate.  I think you have to be over 5'8" to pull them off.

These Rag & Bone boots at Scoop are amazing.  The midcalf height is great and love the flat heel for everyday.

I ended up buying these at Andrea Carrano; a small boutique shoe store - the kind you only find in ny.  Everything is beautifully handmade in Italy.

Andrea Carrano is known mainly for ballet flats. I bought a pair in dark charcoal suede and took these photos of some other colors for future reference.

Was so tempted...

One of the windows at Searle. Such a fun party outfit!

I never know what outerwear to bring when I go back East during the colder months. I only have one really heavy coat - a full length parka. In California, we can get by with just a jacket, and add a sweater on the colder days. So I was thrilled to find this pea coat (from Shopbop) which is the perfect weight for fall in ny and winter in sf.

My overall impression was that the trends seem to be leaning to the more feminine, tailored and sophisticated. I'm so glad the boxy shirts, jackets with shoulder pads and MC Hammer style pants that were resurrected from the 80's seem to be gone! I'd love to know what is your fashion staple?

Shipment from France Party!

I will share more details in the next week, but wanted to extend an invite to my local readers. For those who love anything old and French, you will not be disappointed! A sneak peek will be on our Facebook page tomorrow!

Rsvp: denise@serenaarmstronginteriors.com for address and directions. I hope to see you on Thurs!

a bientot!

New York City Visit: nightlife

On our second night in nyc, we decided to go to a play. 'Asuncion' - written and starring Jesse Eisenberg sounded interesting. It's playing at a 179-seat, historic theater (87 years old) in the Village  - The Cherry Lane. I thoroughly enjoyed the play, but more for the overall experience than the play itself. Jesse Eisenberg reminded me of Woody Allen, only not as funny. Hunched over posture, lots of emphatic gesturing and guilt was a recurring theme . The small theater was packed with Hollywood types, some we recognized (but NO Johnny Depp?!) Asuncion is only playing for another couple of weeks, so if you're looking for a true ny experience I would recommend getting tickets now! 

Before the play we had a cocktail at One If By Land, Two If By Sea, which has been in operation for decades. The beautiful exterior and old carriage door set the tone for what's inside.

The floral arrangements, taper candles and chandeliers are set nightly. There is almost no other lighting, so the mood is very mysterious and romantic. It was for this reason that I decided to use these photos taken with my iphone vs. using the ones on the website taken during the day. It really feels like this inside. I'm not sure if the food is so great, but the ambiance is fantastic, especially for a quick cocktail.

After the show we went to Blue Ribbon - the one at 97 Sullivan Street. As always, the food was terrific (I had the fried chicken made with Matzoh meal, my friend had the mussels), good people watching, wonderful service.  They are open until 4:00am (we left waaay before that!) and since the food is so good, it is a favorite hangout for chefs after work. A perfect night in nyc.

Next up, New York fashion.

New York City Visit: cool apartment

There is just nothing like this city, the best period. I have so much to share with you about the trip - it was all crazy good.

I was there with one of my closest friends in the world, who is also originally from nyc but now lives in Seattle.  We stayed at her relatives apartment on the Upper East side.  Unlike the last time we were in ny together last January (to read about that trip, click here) and spent the majority of our time on the Upper West and East sides (our former hoods), this time we mostly went downtown.

The building and location couldn't have been better - E 65th and 3rd Ave.  The apartment we stayed in was technically a studio, but it was 'L' shaped and a wall was built dividing the bedroom from the rest of the space, so it felt like a one bedroom. At 600 sq ft, it was just perfect for the two of us.  In the same building, several floors above, my friend's cousin, husband and baby son live.  They had a two bedroom apartment, then the 'L' shaped studio next door came available, so they combined them and just finished their renovation.  

There is an additional guest bedroom as well as a playroom and lots of storage.  It's such a hip, fresh space that reflects the adorable family that lives there.  

More to come!

Go NYC Marathoners!