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Sex, Love & Rock N Roll
This is the perfect gift for the wine lover and rock star in your life.
The people at Wines That Rock taste wine, listen to albums and pick what they think captures the essence of some of the best rock artists, Elvis, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, etc. Here’s a Valentines Day idea: buy a bottle of ‘forty licks’ merlot, download the album and have a romantic night at home.
Alain Delon
Another auction worth watching happens on December 8th in Chicago, at Wright 20. It will focus on important 20th century design. My favorite piece is this super sexy Alain Delon entertainment system with built in Thorens turntable.
Any excuse to think of Alain Delon I will gladly take. Another highly desirable piece up for grabs is this Jean Prouve bench, and rather beautiful Max Sauze Orion chandelier.
200 Eleventh Avenue
One of the coolest buildings downtown has to be this Annabelle Seldorf design on Eleventh Avenue. I have a lot of reasons why I like this project, but frankly they are over ridden by the one amenity that flips me out; the indoor parking.
Imagine a elevator takes your car to your floor where you can park in in it’s own windowed garage. Hi brow: James Bond. Low brow: Transporter.
All very sexy.
Vespas and Turntables
In keeping with this weeks retro chic mood; two things that have gone in and out of fashion, but in the end stand the test of time, are Vespas and turntables. I mean who on earth is cooler than Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn racing through the streets of Rome? You can check out the latest models at the Vespa showroom on Crosby Street.
But to me nothing says ‘cool’ like a great record collection. I love the convenience of my ipod, but for pure organic pleasure, give me a late night and a classic album. 
One of my all time favorites; Duke Ellington and Johnny Hogdes.
Smythson & Erdem
Love Smythson and Erdem, so I was delighted to see these really cool diaries that are a collaboration of both. Do people still use diaries? A very nice touch, I think. Taking a moment to write something down seems old fashioned and lovely.
Think Pink
One of my very favorite trends for Fall is hot pink, but I am a little bewildered at how to work this color without looking ridiculous. I love the outfit above from Peter Som. It’s really cool the way it works with this great 60’s New York City photograph from Mark Shaw. So perhaps a ‘touch of pink’ is just right.
All this retro vibe reminds me of one of my favorite Doris Day movies!!
Jean Nouvel-100 Eleventh Avenue
Kirsten Dunst superimposed on the 100 Eleventh Ave wearing BOY
Long long ago in a real estate market since past, I attended a party to launch 100 Eleventh Avenue. People have much to say about the recent bubble, but a lasting benefit will be the input of some of the world’s great architects to the NewYork City skyline. In this instance, Jean Nouvel.
When you see a building by Frank Gehry you immediately recognise his signature style. That is not true of Nouvel. His process begins with the site, then a building is designed that he believes works best in the context. I find this fascinating, because it says that art takes precedence over the ego of the man. It is that passion that has him fighting so hard for his vision in front of the City planning commission for the MoMa tower; Tower Verre.
Back to 100 Eleventh Avenue, which is well on its way to becoming an iconic residential building.
The exterior is clad in 1700 pieces of glass, no two of which are set in quite the same way. As you can see the light is amazing with the Hudson river providing a panorama of open sky, so rare in a major city. The interiors are designed to be as open and airy as possible, bringing the sense of freedom the river provides indoors. Apparently there is an open core at the centre of the building that will have planted window boxes continuing that outdoor/indoor play. I love that.
Jean Nouvel is the architect of many great public buildings, and I envy the lucky people who are able to live in one of his masterpieces.
Underground dining
If you like food and adventure, chances are you’ll enjoy dining at an underground supper club. These dinners are held in private home a la Andres of the Brooklyn Edible Social Club. Alternatively they are ambitious affairs such as those held by Mike Cirino at A Razor, A Shiny Knife.
Photos courtesy of Morta Di Fame
A few weeks ago I travelled with my husband to have dinner with twelve strangers at the Brooklyn Edible Social Club. Even though we didn’t know a single person, the host and chef Andres, along with his girlfriend did everything to make the group comfortable. The food was great and the conversation flowed.
A wonderful menu; the corn veloute served over blue cheese and honeycomb was a crowd pleaser, my favorite course was the duck shown above. My photos were terrible so these images are courtesy of a fellow diner from a great blog, Morta Di Fame.
A Razor, A Shiny Knife held a fabulous event last weekend at Norwood, a private club in the Village, as part of the Food and Wine festival. They delivered what they do best; an educational and dramatic culinary experience. Billed as a ‘locally’ sourced party with a twist, referring to their partnership with Future Perfect who provided the service ware, silverware, glasses, linens and art from the New York City area.
An experience worth having.
Crosby Street Hotel
The Crosby Hotel is a charming new addition to a street that already has so much downtown New York character. It is the first hotel outside of London for the Firmdale group. I stayed at their Covent Garden location a few years ago with my husband on business and we had no complaints. They bring the ambiance and comfort of a city house and the service of a much higher priced hotel.
No one does eclectic style like the English. Theirs is a cheeky irreverence for the old that allows them to upholster ’serious’ pieces in bright colors, mix styles from a variety of eras and make it all work effortlessly.
I can’t wait to visit.
Shopping on Crosby Street
Two of my favorite shops in the city are on Crosby Street, BBDW and De Vera.
My first love in this shop was the black walnut table on the top right, handmade from a single slab of wood. After I got over the fact that I couldn’t afford it, I transferred my affections to a variation of the case piece on the lower left, which is now housing stereo equipment in my living room. I am also very desirous of the leather bound mirrors which seem to be a modern interpretation of Jacque Adnet’s classic. All handmade in America.
Here is a treasure trove of wonderful objects from around the world. At first they seem so incongruous, but their individual beauty and uniqueness brings them together in this incredible shop.
A must see if you are in the neighborhood.
