Last week I had the pleasure of attending the opening night party of the Kips Bay showhouse. I've been so busy packing in preparation for my big move that I haven't had time to share it with you. I wanted to be sure to share my favorite rooms while the show house was still open! I have to say this was the best show house I've seen. In so many ways, the house (actually an apartment) summed up the best of New York design and living with a surplus of talent. My favorites were too many to count on one hand. 
The entry hall, decorated by Bryant Keller, was a dramatic start to the series of rooms, done up in quintessential New York style with Scalamandre fabrics and wallpaper.
One of the trends which was found throughout the showhouse was the use of fur. I know many people hate the cruel stuff, but nothing says luxury to me like a soft fur throw. The room above by David Scott was delightfully cozy.
One of my dearest friends I'm proud to say, Raji Radhakrishnan (who actually invited me to the party, thanks Raji!) was the belle of the ball. She is seen here in front of a beautiful leather desk from Ralph Lauren Home. Her room has been widely published and for good reason -it simply was one of the most beautiful, detail laden and creative rooms in the show house (how's that for bias?).
She always includes a sophisticated blend of intriguing object d'art and books into any of her spaces, much like her own house - can you see why I'm hooked?
Raji created a focal point in a room lacking any architectural features by adding a mantel by Chesneys. The copy of a Sir John Soane mantel has long been on my wishlist for my dreamhouse and I was so happy to see her using it. Raji included works of art by herself as well, such as the photograph of the chapel at Versailles she took years ago while dreaming of including it in her Kips Bay showroom (dreams do come true!).
The composition of the pieces, each one delightful by itself, is only enhanced by their juxtaposition. And against those beautiful Venetian plaster finished walls AND ceiling by Judy Mulligan, what wouldn't look marvelous? 
One of the trends I was happy to see was the attention paid to ceilings throughout the showhouse -Raji didn't leave it at Venetian plaster, this gilded squiggle made for Raji by Christianson Lee Studios was really fun!
Speaking of fun, Jamie Drake's room was a riot of color, as expected from the king of color! I loved this chrome lamp used in a corner of his room.
He didn't forget the ceiling either, it was silverleafed!
Another colorful space was the room decorated by Thom Filicia, seen here in front of his console designed for Vanguard.
The ceiling was lacquered in the same beautiful kelly green as the walls.
I loved the Kravet curtains.
Another room with a touch of whimsy was by Shawn Henderson. What better way to celebrate the city views than with a swing!
Multi-talented artist Chuck Fischer decorated a room that was awe-inspiring for his shear talent.
Even the entry sign was awesome!
The chinoiserie murals surrounding the space were incredibly detailed and beautiful.
Speaking of beautiful, the designer Alexander Doherty decorated my 2nd favorite room, a bedroom for a collector.
Here again was a soft and cozy enormous fur throw, surrounded by cerused oak paneling; I don't know which feature I enjoyed more.
Color was injected into the space with a painted dresser and numerous lamps creating glamorous pools of light.
Someone who knows glamour is Alexa Hampton. Her room was the epitome of a classic New York bedroom, so well developed by her father, Mark Hampton.
Grand tour items from the past lined a desk facing a very modern city skyline.
This bench in the corner of the bedroom sums up both the room and the show house with a simple book title "Luxury Living New York". Notice the fur throw on the bed in the foreground.
Be sure to visit this very fitting and special Kips Bay show house before it closes on June 14th!
Sometimes just a pretty picture will suffice. Taken at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
During a quick trip to New York this weekend, I stopped into one of my favorite stores in the city, Fishs Eddy. They carry a pattern of dishes and products with different designs of floorplans; small studio apartments on small plates and palatial apartments on platters. Mugs have section drawings; the perfect gift for every architect or designer on your list! I first became aquainted with the pattern last year when a client would carry her renovation plans in the matching tote bag and they then proved to be very popular Christmas gifts from me!
I'Yo Ho! my boys," said Fezziwig. "No more work to-night! Christmas Eve, Dick! Christmas, Ebenezer! Let's have the shutters up!" cried old Fezziwig with a sharp clap of his hands, "before a man can say JackRobinson. . . ." 
Clear away! There was nothing they wouldn't have cleared away, or couldn't have cleared away with old Fezziwig looking on. It was done in a minute. Every movable was packed off, as if it were dismissed from public life forevermore; the floor was swept and watered, the lamps were trimmed, fuel was heaped upon the fire; and the warehouse was as snug, and warm, and dry, and bright a ballroom as you would desire tosee on a winter's night.
In came a fiddler with a music book, and went up to the lofty desk and made an orchestra of it and tuned like fifty stomach aches. In came Mrs. Fezziwig, one vast substantial smile. In came the three Misses Fezziwig, beaming and lovable. In came the six followers whose hearts they broke. In came all the young men and women employed in the business. In came the housemaid with her cousin the baker. In came the cook with her brother's particular friend the milkman. In came the boy from over the way, who was suspected of not having board enough from his master, trying to hide himself behind the girl from next door but one who was proved to have had her ears pulled by her mistress; in they all came, any-how and every-how. Away they all went, twenty couple at once; hands half round and back again the other way; down the middle and up again; round and round in various stages of affectionate grouping, old top couple always turning up in the wrong place; new top couple starting off again, as soon as they got there; all top couples at last, and not a bottom one to help them.
When this result was brought about the fiddler struck up "Sir Roger de Coverley." Then old Fezziwig stood out to dance with Mrs. Fezziwig. Top couple, too, with a good stiff piece of work cut out for them; three or four and twenty pairs of partners; people who were not to be trifled with; people who would dance and had no notion of walking.
But if they had been thrice as many, oh, four times as many, old Fezziwig would have been a match for them, and so would Mrs. Fezziwig. As to her, she was worthy to be his partner in every sense of the term. If that's not high praise, tell me higher and I'll use it. A positive light appeared to issue from Fezziwig's calves. They shone in every part of the dance like moons. You couldn't have predicted at any given time what would become of them next. And when old Fezziwig and Mrs. Fezziwig had gone all through the dance, advance and retire; both hands to your partner, bow and courtesy, corkscrew, thread the needle, and back again to your place; Fezziwig cut so deftly that he appeared to wink with his legs, and came upon his feet again with a stagger.
When the clock struck eleven the domestic ball broke up. Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig took their stations, one on either side of the door, and shaking hands with every person individually, as he or she went out, wished him or her a Merry Christmas!
While in Brooklyn a few weeks ago, I came across a small city park that I had never heard of in Greenpoint, which was surprising considering its' loveliness, Monsignor McGorlick Park.
Opened in 1891, the park gained beautiful structures and monuments throughout its' history which attracted my eye. 
Designed in 1910 by the architectural firm Helmle, Huberty and Hudswell who built many impressive structures in Brooklyn, the main building housed M and W bathrooms seperated by a covered curved colonnade.
The beautiful neo-classical detailing of the structure isn't surprising as Helmle received his training at the well known architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White. 
The yellow brick and limestone facade also features a beautiful segmented beadboard ceiling with trimwork picked out with yellow paint.
I just think this is such a lovely building, don't you? I wonder what the original light fixtures were (the junction boxes are still in the ceiling)
Located inside the crescent shaped building is a WWI memorial created by noted sculptor Carl Augustus Herber in 1923.
In her left hand Winged Victory holds a laurel for victory and a palm frond for peace in the other.
While I was drawn in by the architecture, I believe the locals simply appreciate the open space and lush green!
McGorlick Park is located between Driggs and Nassau Avenues & Russell and Monitor streets in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. 
While in New York the other week in the West Village I came across two stores which were just great experiences and so quintessential 'New York'.
First was 'The Meadow' which was a fascinating shop filled with an enormous collection of different salts in a rainbow of colors as well as chocolates, flowers and drink mixes: Delightful!
I bought an after dinner mint drink in a great vintage looking vial meant to aid digestion (but I really bought it for the cute bottle!). I was sorely tempted by the gorgeous flowers and all of the salts though! Did you have any idea so many types of salt existed?
Directly next door is a great little shop full of great gift ideas : Leo Design. How often do you find a vintage store with a decidely masculine aire rather than feminine? Every single item in this store I wanted to take home with me but thankfully (for my wallet) I came out empty handed. Be sure to stop by these 2 great shops next time you are in the village!
