Dreaming About Williamsburg

We all know I'm a sucker for real estate, especially real estate that's in New York City. As much as I would like to say that I'm a Manhattan-kind of guy, my budget most likely wouldn't stretch very far on such a expensive island. So what's a boy to do? Move to Brooklyn, that's what. Obviously due to a depressing case of unemployment and budgetary limitations, I am in no way moving to NYC, but I can imagine. And I will imagine myself in the Williamsburg apartment of Jared Geller, bi-coastal music producer, recently featured in Working Class magazine.

A Home From Meatballs

Let's talk meatballs. The Meatball Shop is a New York treasure that serves up the tastiest balls in the city. Even though you can eat at three different Meatball Shops around Manhattan, the owner/couple call Brooklyn their home in this comfortable and bright apartment. Michael Chernow and Donna Hemmingsen may be one of the most attractive couples ever, but their apartment is just as attractive... along with their dog who is also cute-to-boot. The couple's apartment has classically bright and white walls that are filled with precious trinkets from years of collecting flea-market steals, all with dark wooden floors that bring the airiness down to a grounded feel. Michael and Donna are serious collectors of all things old and that probably no one else has; they spend their weekends at their home upstate, finding the best vintage items to scatter around their urban dwelling. The interior of this home is beautiful, but it is certainly complimented by the gorgeous city views seen from the rooftop that is big enough for entertaining... a lot of people! But as big as the roof is, the couple prefer to keep it intimate with only a few people at a time. I can't tell if I'm salivating over this apartment, or for a meatball sandwich.

Ready With A Redesign

Have no worries, I am still breathing. I am breathing the sweet summer air of New York City, which apparently takes up all my time and makes me too busy to write for Standard Luxe. However, I was feeling like a bad parent who neglects their only child, so I decided to give Little Luxe a makeover and show it the attention it deserves. Think of it as a fresh start, like you're tearing the paper off a brand new present. Friendly disclaimer, I do not promise to redevelop a regular posting habit, considering I'll be a quasi-New Yorker until August which as previously stated, makes me super busy and important. Since we're starting fresh, I figure I will give you a recap of what life has been like for past couple of months. If you're interested, you can read on after the jump, which is another new feature of the redesign of Luxe.

Memorial Day Shopping

 

In an effort to celebrate Memorial Day, I am taking it upon myself to be festive and take a jaunt up Madison Avenue. That's how most people recognize Memorial Day, yes? Like I care. Anyway, I composed a short list of must-see destinations, and shockingly, 99% of them are stores. Imagine that. I figure now that I am working interning in the fashion industry, I can get away with saying that all shopping excursions are work related. Am I right? The high ones on my list are most definitely the ones that are unique to New York (say that three times in a row), including Bergdorf Goodman (both the men's and women's store), Five Story (newly opened), the Crawford and Doyle bookstore, along with any other goodies that I come across. Now each and everyone knows that the Ralph Lauren store in Chicago holds a special place in my heart, especially the the home section, and the restaurant, but I have a sneaking suspicion that both the men's and women's store on Madison are going to slap me across the face in the best way possible. Wish me luck! And I just hope I don't break anything while perusing.

Summer Essentials

 

As the sweaty warmer months of summer approach, I naturally start to compile a list in my head of things that are absolutely necessary for summer. And this is season is no different, in fact it is only elevated, due to my summer plans. Come the middle of May, I will be moving east for three months to work in New York City. Although I live in a big city now, I can only imagine the differences between Chicago and NYC, and what better way to prepare myself than to shop? Take a close look at my guide to summer above, and see what you're missing.

92nd Street Carriage House

This renovated carriage house on East 92nd Street in Manhattan has New York sophistication with a modern twist. The 25-foot wide carriage house has had a gut renovation, which lasted two years, but has the end result of a very modern urban dwelling with the look of a sophisticated boutique hotel.

The multiply-floor house has a number of rooms for gathering, but my favorite by far is the double-height library, with the floating bookshelves, and encased wood desk. I also really enjoy the dining room, with the circle table. In my opinion, it is hard to find circular tables in formal dining rooms, but I think they look luxe. Another thing I like about the whole house is the simple, yet worm color of the wood paneling that surrounds the fireplace.

As much as I like townhouses in New York City, I am still drawn to apartment or coops. I like the idea of a doorman, and the shared hallways, it's just so very New York.

Grey is Great

Many people might think that grey is a boring color, or not even a color at all, but I completely disagree. It's one of my favorite colors, because it cast so many different lights on a  room. Take Francisco Costa's apartment in New York City that has a strictly grey palette. Mr. Francisco designed his entire apartment with a monotone color on the walls, but varied the other colors used throughout the apartment. The soothing grey color on the walls grounds the space, while his furniture and art adds interest. My all time favorite room of the apartment is the library, which ended up in my Animals in the Home post, but what I love most about that specific room are the two pictures mounted on the bookcase. I love when either pictures or sconces are attached to shelving. Take a look at the relaxing space, and notice that the bathroom door leading into the master bath is actually paneled to be hidden, pretty cool. 

Luxe in The U.N. Building

A while ago, the New York Social Diary website did a House section on interior designer David Scott's UN Plaza Building apartment and it is absolutely wonderful. The mod 60s apartment is masculine, but still luxe and design-conscious. The location itself is one of my favorite parts of the apartment, being in the original building where the United Nations resides, which was recently featured in a book by Ben Murphy, called The U.N. Building. The book is an expose on the history of the building, ranging from the design of the building to the history-defining moments that took place inside (a definite must-read). But Mr. Scott's apartment is as noteworthy as the building it's in; the large space is great for entertaining, but still comfortable for a night in and ordering take-out. My two favorite parts about Mr. Scott's home are the geometric shelves in the entryway, a great display for books and other pieces of artwork, and what I really love is the Reinhard Görner photograph hanging above the sofa in the silver wallpapered alcove. I love the scale, along with just the simple image itself. The apartment is filled with great art, along with great furniture that fits the space perfectly, which will last throughout time.

Kelly Behun Interiors

 

Living in a beautiful space is a privilege, but it is also subjective. Obviously one's taste will differ from another, but the design behind a space should be personal. Interior designer Kelly Behun, is a master at designing your space to make it feel like your own. This Greenwich Village home is outfitted with stark white walls, but a mix of colorful art that exudes personality. The wood table in the living room (above) is my favorite piece in the entire house. The naturally shaped coffee table is the perfect element of unpolished elegance in the room, while the white walls showcasing art and a vintage map make the room feel clean and contemporary. The other spaces throughout the house are perfectly filled with vintages pieces that play into a great contrast of the white walls. Mrs. Behun is a women with elegant taste that doesn't make you feel like you're in a museum... or Grandma's house.

 

Photos courtesy of Kelly Behun 

Donna Karen from Russia To NYC

 

In my quest for higher knowledge, I found myself perusing the interweb for some better places to study. Eventually I settled on a little pie de tier, which looked to be in Manhattan, judging from the view. Now you're probably asking yourself why I didn't know where my future knowledge incubator was, and that is because I found the tasteful images on the Russian website, The Locals. Now as much as I love Russia and Anastasia, I don't read or write a lick of Russian. So after putting the accompanying text into the God-like Google Translator, I was dumbfounded to find that this apartment actually belongs to American fashion designer, Donna Karen. Talk about crossing borders. So this apartment isn't so much a foreign haven, but rather a local hang out. I'm okay with it though. The open space, which is complimented by the open views will most definitely provide some necessary concentration.

Simple Living with Stefano Tonchi

 

Finding your niche in life is important, and that is what Stefano Tonchi did in his work, as well as his home. The power-editor who has lead the masthead of some of the fashion industries leading publications has made a home for himself in the fashion mecca, New York City.  While he is currently the EIC of W Magazine, coming from the New York Times Style Magazine, he remains one of the most dapper gentlemen in the front row of the shows in Bryant Park, and around the world. I think his home is somewhat reminiscent of his Italian upbringing in Florence; the sparse but stylish and inviting space is filled with select pieces that really make the room feel well put together, much like the owner of the apartment. The very neutral color palette is offset various and subtle pops of color in the space, including the soft-yellow wall in the living room, or the purple sectional in another seating room. They say owners start to look like their canines after a while, and I think that can be true for Mr. Tonchi's apartment, both it and Mr. Tonchi are simple, refined, and stylish.

Photos courtesy of The Selby