the crosby hotel

hard to say whether i would love the crosby hotel as much as i do if they didn't choose to work with lewis miller.  this exemplifies what i love about floral design- it has the power to complete a story with live and always changing accents.  in this instance, the flowers and foliage make sense of the property's entire design direction.
lmd takes a "just picked" approach- loose arrangements, herbs, greens, garden roses and sporadic pops of color to harmonize the eccentric furniture and artwork.  also, this addition of key organic elements (such as succulents, vibernum, cephalaphora, green trick dianthus, japanese maple- to name a few) makes the humorous interior feel more grounded.

 

french classic meets contempo

famed editor, angelika taschen, pulls us into current takes on legendary parisian architecture and design resulting in an understated glamor that no one can pull off quite like the french.  
paris style volume II by taschen.

nyc- love it or hate it, it's still on your mind

the first snowfall here in manhattan got me feeling nostalgic about leaving.  sure the streets are dirty, it's a rat race, and every line (even for a single paper towel roll) is like trying to get into the hottest new bunker in town.  but isn't that part of the charm? 

the energy of people clad in black, all with somewhere to go, someone to meet, something to become is contagious.  right now is too late, and today is so yesterday.  no one moves to manhattan without a dream and you can't truly find yourself here without getting lost in the grid first.

if you are lucky enough to make it to the other side of the rainbow- broadway, history, architecture, food, fashion, culture and every sub-culture is right at your fingertips.  one needn't look any further for inspiration when shacked up on this island.  it really is bittersweet to pack up my gold and  take a break.

design crush- tucker robbins

there is nothing generic about tucker robbins.  walking into his studio is calming while at the same time exciting.  the work on display feels rich yet raw.  tucker himself makes an organic but never submissive impression reminding us that in life and design, it is all about balance.  take for example his japanese dining table set with lightning gold ceramic stools or his natural wood bed softened with neutral linens.

"i am passionate about the cooperation among global cultures- bringing the spirit and craft from the tribal cottage industry to contemporary life.  This dialogue with ancient people spanning continents and centuries, brings insight we've forgotten"

                                                                                                                                             -t.r.

a world traveler many times over, tucker is all about history, craftsmanship, and staying true to the source.  you can honestly feel an energy greater than new york, and yourself, in every piece of art.  
(www.tuckerrobbins.com)

bubble dining table

metro dining table

human chair

acacia poof chairs

mortar stools

bamboo ladders

rattan sideboard

love matta

     

matta's patterns and fabrics swirl somewhere between hippie and pretty.  created by christina gitti of fort greene, brooklyn with a retail store on lafayette street, the style is infused with a dash of soho, a pinch of brooklyn, and a little spice from everywhere your exotic travels may take you.

the clothes are easy to wear and a seamless addition to any closet, but my personal favorite is this fun elephant pillow from their home decor collection.  it sits on my bed and reminds me everyday of india, a place that i plan to visit someday.  soon.

(lafayette & spring.  www.mattany.com)

hot bandeau

matta's trademark scarf available in every color of the rainbow

jahan, the perfect beach cover up

pair the bijal top with black leggings

vaibhav classic casual with dark or white denim

19th century revival

brownstones bring history and character to the streets in manhattan.  personally, they mark my most favorite blocks in the city and reflect a slight bias toward downtown neighborhoods (in particular the charming "1/2" addresses in the west village).  constrasting the exposed brick are endless variations on decor which make new york's architectural style as unique as the people who call it home.

a rustic look on sixth avenue & waverly place

wide plank black shutters and white chiffon curtains accent without defining

the oldest remaining house in the village on bedford street

 

an english garden reincarnates red brick on irving place

ironwork on st. luke's place

  

traditional white and black brownstone on commerce & barrow