Quintessentially New York

Life gets busy!  Every once in a while you need to stop, take a moment and relax with those who are important to you.  It has been forever since my husband and I went for a Friday night drink after work, and so we decided that it was time to bring that tradition back.  With both our office in mid-town Manhattan we decided that it would be good to stay close and so decided on the recently opened Viceroy Hotel restaurant and bar Kingside.  Designed by Roman + Williams the oober cool NYC company, the interior is everything on would expect - rich woods, interesting lighting and cool details.  While the cocktails were true to NY prices and strength, the atmosphere was buzzing and really was a great choice for our step back into the NY scene - and seeing as it is down the street from my work I am sure to visit again.

Grubstreet

Kingside

Ed Burtynsky : Water

One of my favourite photographers is Canadian artist Ed Burtynsky.  His work is primarily focussed on the many ways in which humans impact the earth and is always on a monumental scale.  His latest series which is now on exhibition at the Howard Greenberg Gallery here in New York (until November 2nd) is entitled Water and the subject matter is just that.  Our world as we know it would not be possible without water and he has captured some really amazing and artful ways in which we manipulate exploit it.  I love the scale of his subject and how every photo is truly beautiful and ones eyes search for a reference point or some sense of scale to understand the reality of the subject.  It is a truly spectacular talent he has and I recommend andy opportunity you have to see his work.

Photos courtesy of the Howard Greenberg Gallery and Ed Burtynsky

Film Review : Oyler House

Last week was the Architecture and Design Film Festival her in New York. It was the second year that we attended (see post here) and so decided that we would take advantage of more tittles this year.  Seeing as we just have the weekend we packed 3 feature movies with 4 short films into two days. As with all film festivals some were good...and some were really bad! While couple stand out as really remarkable movies that inspired and motivated us (My Brooklyn - a documentary on the changes to downtown Brooklyn focussing on Fulton Mall, and The Grow Dat Youth Farm - a short documentary on the amazing work being done in New Orleans) one movie stood above the rest.  The Oyler House: Richard Neutra’s Desert Retreat by director Mike Dorsey is an outstanding piece of film making.

Curbed

Built in 1959 in Lone Pine, California, this bungalow style mid-century modern house is literally all about the view.  With one entire side made of steel-framed glass windows, the house is open to the desert and mountains beyond.  The movie tells the story of Richard Neutra and Richard Oyler and how this piece of architecture played such a crucial part in both of their lives.  With most of the story being told by the incredibly charasmatic Oyler, one really gets a sense of how this house is a truly spectacular piece of architecture.  The current owner, actress Kelly Lynch, and Neutra's son's are interviewed as well helping to round out the perspective of how this house and it's surroundings are truly one of a kind (note the image of the pool below, made from a hollowed out boulder in the on the site).  Dorsey does a wonderful job of bringing the viewer in to the story and helping to make one understand that this is more than just a house.

You can watch the trailer here.  Keep an eye out for the film on Netflix or iTunes, it really is worth a watch and I would love to hear if you have seen it/when you see it, and how it has inspired you.

An Eclectic Eccentric

OEN

The Glass House

My parents were visiting this past week and so in true 'holiday with my dad' fashion we went on an architectural tour of Connecticut last Saturday.  Since there was so much to see I will be splitting out our day over several posts (even keep your eye out for a guest post) and what a better way to start then with our first stop Philip Johnson's Glass House.  

The Glass House

Completed in 1949 this building, just shy of 1,800 sq.ft. was built as a weekend retreat for Johnson and his partner.  With relatively uninterrupted views over the surrounding woodlands, this 'pavilion' as it's called, really is a little piece of heaven.  Large glass panels make up the walls - even called by Johnson as "expensive wallpaper" - with steel structure that sit at each of the four corners.  The palette is simple and uncomplicated really allowing one to feel as though you are part of the surrounding landscape. The glass walls are cleverly punctuated by a centrally located full-height door on each side, giving the house a great through draft and keeling the symmetry apparent.

The only solid structure of the house is a brick-clad cylinder that houses the bathroom on one side and the fireplace on the other.  The interior of the bathroom is covered with green mosaic tiles that mimic the greenery outside, and then a completely decadent leather ceiling. LOVE! The house is furnished almost entirely by Mies van der Rohe furniture which came from Johnson's New York apartment.

On the property there are several other buildings acting as art galleries for Johnson's extensive collection and a guest house - known as the brick house as it's exterior walls brick, punctuated only by three relatively small round windows the back.  Only an hour drive outside of Manhattan the house is in New Canaan and would be appreciated equally by those in the design field and those not.  

Quintessentially New York

Okay, so I know that it has been a REALLY long time since I did a Quintessential post, and it's not that we haven't eaten at some wonderful places, but non have really felt like they were post-worthy in terms of design and deliciousness!  Well, Friday night a friend took me out to Boqueria and voila, Quintessential worthy! Inspired by the tapas restaurants of Barcelona, the interior is simple, modern and comfortable with natural materials on the walls, filament bulbs hanging above tables, and aromas that make ones mouth water.  The food was amazing (go with lots of people so you can order lots of things!) and the wine list was nice and extensive with something for everyone.  This is a place where we will definitely go back to, and should be added to anyones NYC list.

Boqueria

Workstead

Since we moved to New York, I have always thought of Brooklyn has been Manhattan's hipster cousin - everything is a little cooler, industrial and rough around the edges.  So it was no surprise to me when I discovered the design studio Workstead was Broolkyn-based.  A young firm founded in 2009 by RISD graduates, Workstead bring a breath of fresh and exciting air to the design world.  They a fantastic eye for detail and understanding of materials (see previous post here) and have translated that cool Brooklyn vibe giving their projects a little edge while still keeping a clean aesthetic.    

Workstead

Shooting for the Stars

In true New York fashion people make the best of what they have, while always striving for more.  Well this apartment come mansion in TriBeCa fits that m.o. to the tee.  As we all know there isn't much room left on the island so you've got to work with what is available - enter 144 Duane Street.  This 1862 limestone building has been converted into a modern 25,000 square foot palace with a price tag just under $50 million.  Complete with private gym, roof terrace and as many skylights to watch the stars through as possible, this mega townhouse's furnishings are a little to be admired, however the bones are there for sure. Any takers?

Douglas Elliman

Quintessentially New York

It was my hubby's birthday last week and I wanted to plan something really special. We have wanted to visit SD26 ever since we saw the movie on the Vignelli's (see post here), so when the oportunity to have dinner at thje chef's table came up I thought this would be the perfect occasion. Situated in the heart of the flatiron district, this modern Italian restaurant features comefort food in a stylish setting. The uncomplicated interior is In perfect style to when we have know to expect and love about this dynamic Italian duos work. With a simple palette and iconic pieces (the dining chairs are Mies van de Rohe), the restuant interior is modern yet timeless, and allows the food to do all the talking - and talk it does. We had a truly wonderful evening and dining experience and you can be sure that this will be on our list of places to visit again!

Top Restaurants

Quintessentially New York

Friday nights usually come around and I never feel like cooking - it is the end of the week (which have been particularly gruelling this past month) and with no work the next day it is a chance for my hubby and I to explore something new in the city and not have to worry about getting up for work the next day.  While we have taken a break from dinners out for the last few weeks, on Friday we decided to try Momofuku Ma Peche as we have heard such amazing reviews about the Momofuku restaurants, but have never been.  Spread over two floors attached to the Chambers hotel, the palette is very simple with concrete and painted plaster walls, particle board tables and plywood interior details.  The interior feels modern and designed yet tasteful - something that I feel a lot of restaurants and bars in this city struggle with.  We sat upstairs in the bar area as we didn't have a reservation and all the tables downstairs were full.  It was a great meal - although a little expensive - and it was so nice to be able to look over into the double height voice above the dining room and have the sheer fabrics hanging through the space billowing beside us.  I am not sure if we would go back to this particular Momofuku as there are three more to try, however it was a delicious meal and a fantastic introduction to their food and ambiance.

Make it simple but Significant

Quintessentially New York

Last weekend we had friends in town from London and for a quiet coffee on Sunday afternoon we really looked for somewhere that was Quintessentially New York, and so we decided that Robert at the Museum of Art and Design was perfect.  Set on the top floor of the museum with panoramic views north over Central Park, this was the exact setting were looking for.  Although we were only there for a  warm drink the setting for a meal would be incredible - especially if you were able to time it with the setting sun!  From the Cassina Capri chairs at the tables, the flower chairs for casual seating, to the pops of neon throughout, the interior was a good balance between fun and formal. This was a great find and will will sure to be back - and not just because it shares it's name with my husband!

Wishing you all a happy 1st of December.

A x

Tripadvison

Photography Week - Part 1

I have been looking through a lot of concept images recently getting inspiration for some new projects we have.  Most of my images have come from photographers and so I thought I would do something a little different this week and highlight five photographers whose work I am currently admiring.  I have always been interested and inspired by interior and architectural photographers (see here), so it shouldn't come as a surprise, however I thought that it would be interesting - and hopefully enlightening - to showcase these amazingly talented artists over the next five days.  I hope you all enjoy and welcome any and all thoughts.

We start out with the incredibly talented William Abranowicz, a New York based photographer whose work is well-framed, sparse and at often times monochromatic. He has a wonderful way of highlighting key items in a photo guiding the viewer through the interior and photograph to best understand the space - a telent I truly admire.

William Abranowicz Photography - 1stDibs