Monday, February 8, 2016

Upper East Side Redo. The livingroom (Part one)

 Over the years many people have suggested I get into interior design.
I'm not sure why I never went to school for it.......

I'm redoing the apt in NYC.
No major construction for now.
But happily a complete redo.

What I absolutely love about todays home design is the ease with which different styles blend together.
In other words....when done right, everything goes.

When I start decorating a space I always start with
"feeling".
How I want the space to feel, to me.
I add to that the location of the space, size and "style" of the actual building.

So despite it being the UES....(sterile by NYC standards if you ask me)
The building, built in 1912 has great history, great architecture and oozes character.
(I secretly would love to expose the brick walls in the future)

 Maximizing space, and blending in some oldish character.
(and sprinkle in a little of my rusty crusty loveee)
 Urban Modern mix.
Odd for me in the sense that while I've been selling modern for years now, I've never felt compelled to add it into my personal space.

I usually pick a wall color first.
I flip through my Ben Moore paint deck and see what strikes me.
But this time with the size constraints of the rooms, the first piece I picked up was a rockin cool chippy bench.
It's the perfect size for the coffee table.
(courtesy of Mike and Cass at Wednesdays Pickup, Bushwick)
It's Orange.
I know, right...... crazy.
Or at least crazy for me.
It's in, that's true, but I've never been a fan.
However this piece is absolute perfection.

Since above was the start, I raced over to see Matt and Polina  http://www.shehitpausestudios.com and snagged two Urban images.
Dreamy
( I traded a '63 pin up calendar that Matt has been coveting for a while)
Matt takes polaroids and rubs the negatives on watercolor paper, unblievably cool.....
The Cyclone and a NYC taxi my Orange tie in... (wink)

The couch was next.
Again space constraints with the layout we (read I) decided on a larger sized love seat that will fit just right.
(and leave less room for the dogs, cause I secretly hate them on the couch)
Clean modern lines and durable fabric.
(one of the two brandy new items in the whole apt)

The media cabinet was tough for me......
I have a decent budget, but the handmade; reclaimed ones were just too pricey.
I could have easily found a 60s modern credenza well within my budget, but I did not want toooo much modern.
So I settled (yes, settled) for a new cabinet from a big box store.
I'm not in love. And I do know better
 I should have sprung for something handmade.
Oh well.....it will do for now.

The ceiling light fixture
(sigh)
I'm slightly obsessed with it.
I can't stop staring at it.
(its not even hung yet, hehe)
Handmade by Paul Pissanelli @ New York Vintage Lighting
(he's crazy good!, and just has a really nice mention in New York magazine.)
http://nymag.com/…/sl…/2016/02/03/prospect_heightstownhouse/

At this point I've already picked out a very cool chair, and side table.
 I'll likely pull a few objects from inventory.
And, i'm in talks with a repurpose woodworker for a custom desk.
(more will be revealed)

........and wall color............still up in the air.
The clock is ticking, the couch arrives mid March.


(pics in Part two)










Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Happy New Year!!! (aka "it's personal")

Since moving into Manhattan (who woulda thought) I find myself wanting to do all the quintessential things tourists do.
Go ahead and laugh....

I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge.
We went to BBKings.
We went to the theatre. (Book of Mormon....hilarious)
Watched the NYC marathon, and the balloons being blown up Thanksgiving.
We saw The Tree and The Windows on 5th Ave.

Then next thing I knew it was New Year's Eve.
Cr*p.

Secret......
I don't go out on New Years Eve.
I mean dinner yes, after ....no.

If you follow my blog (seriously not many do, but that's cool)
you know I speak my mind.

So here it is......
I don't go out, because it's amateur night. 
Period.

Anyone and everyone is out doing one thing.....
drinking.
And then.... wellll thennnnn they do other things.
(like announce on TV that they are wearing a diaper so its okayyy when they tinkle on themselves)
ummm ew. I wish I was making that one up, but half the world will back me on it.

But January first is the day of reflection.
(and official take down Christmas Tree day)
So I think about the past year, where I was.
And where I now am.

And I smile.
I wish I could say...I won the lottery.
And I have no more financial worries.
(sadly, not the case)
BUT
All is well.
It was for the most part a drama free year.
Filled with new ventures.....
and alotta laughing.

I've abandoned any notion of holding a McJob.
(those of you who are close know that it literally sucked the life out of me, I tried, I did. It is simply N.O.T for me)
And thrown myself full force into my biz.
I've spent the year plotting and planning.
Maintaining my presence in NYC, Brooklyn etc is critical.
and adding in other cool urban areas.
So as I expand ever so slowly....
My mantra is "slow and steady wins the race".
I'm getting there.
And every day it's about my vision, my decision, my biz.
I'm for the first time.....totally committed to an "end game".
(not just getting by day in and day out as I did when I arrived on the scene in Boonton)


The Girl......( despite extended moments of extreme maturity) is still a 20 something.
I remember, at least I try to....when she challenges my patience with her irresponsibility.
She'll get there. I know it.
I've caught glimpses.
(and i'm her mom, and i've always got her back)
I'm still cracking up about Christmas day when she was dancing down Park Ave with us in tow, acting completely silly doing numerous dance routines from her days in Company.

Flynn is fabulous.
He love loves having a brother.
Someone to hang with when we are not home.

And I'm redecorating the apt.
(blog posts coming soon)

So I reflect, and look forward to all that is coming.....
(sheesh it took me a whole month to write all this now, are you still awake?)

Happy New Year!!!!!!!