ANIMALISTIC by Todd Alexander Romano

I just love a good Manhattan apartment. Yesterday while meeting a friend for dinner in her building, I ran into a designer friend of mine who had just finished a new project...
It was so good, I just didn't want to leave the place. It brought me to the realization that some seriously good apartment interiors exist in this city and are being created new every day.
 One apartment I would just die to get a peek into is this apartment of Todd Alexander Romano, a fabulous little decorator. Everything about this space is oh so chic. I love the modern fireplace against the smoky glass mirrored wall. Hello glamour! White walls and yellow curtains are such a cheery backgrop for all the deep and rich accents around the room. The tiger print covered chair for example. Now that is hot. 
 Nevermind that the rest of the accent walls are vivid citrus colors and mega glossy. Ugh. It's just so darn fabulous. His choice of art pieces is really well curated too. I love the mix of cheeky photos and great modern art. 
 Now this is an entryway a girl could come home to with attitude. Taking note of all the black/blue combinations, ie. the lamp and the chairs. 
Yep. in love.

images via elle decor, design by todd alexander romano, photography by william abranowicz

10 things that rocked my world this week...the downtown Manhattan edition

I partnered up with NewYork.com for a little something, and spent an afternoon checking out lower Manhattan. I couldn't help but snap photos of my favorite things around the area. Thank God for my iphone which provides the ultimate camera for snapping quick pics...
 1. The architecture on random blocks of downtown Soho. At times, the look can be so soft and European looking, yet in colors that are very New York.
 2. The character of Little Italy. I love this oversized statue of David just sitting outside a little cafe. It's so random but so charming all at the same time. 
 3. The insides of churches are so gorgeous. Most of the new churches in other cities these days are so modern and while beautiful, they don't have the charm or color that the old ones in New York do. New York always keeps it true.
 4. Hotel front desks. Always chic, professional and glam. This one happens to be the Mercer hotel, one of my favorites for a little bubbly. The purple back lit lobby is bangin'. 
 5. If you have ever gone down to Wall Street and walked into the old buildings, this is what you get. I fell hard for this entryway. 
 6. Central Park will never get old for me. Hands down my favorite place in the city. 
 7. I love how our city always meets our needs. Down in the Financial District, the tourist booths have ties. Each neighborhood has a different need. The little booths up in my Upper East neighborhood sell Pashminas, go figure. 
 8. We all know my obsession with gold. How fab is this brass wastebasket down on the streets of Wall Street. Hello. Can I get one for my apartment, please? 
9. Most people say this city is lonely, and I get that. However, never have I been in a city where more strangers have my back than ever. Our city is full of people standing up for one another. I kind of love it. 
 10. Lady Liberty. I really love her and her green.

 BONUS: my two favorite photos of the day:
 I love this womanly mermaid figure...
and please tell me how incredible is this entryway?
 all images by me.

My latest muse...Athena Calderone {via Harpers Bazaar}

Lately I have affections for Brooklyn. There are some amazing doors and amazing places to shop for vintage furniture, great restaurants, etc. So, when I stumbled up this completely hip interior designers Brooklyn abode, I almost fell out of my seat. Athena Calderone is a designer AND blogger, HELLO, love her! This kind of NY edge is right up my alley. How ridiculously amazing is this Brooklyn bungalow...

I love how modern it is and I love the large windows, too. Bright sunlight is essential for me in any space but in this space in particular it makes everything just shine. Especially in this outrageously gorgeous kitchen. I also am a sucker for using gray in any space, oversized art, pops of gold, tufting, eccentric lighting, and pieces that mix white and wood. 
images via Christopher Sturman for Harpers Bazaar

How to live chic in New York...Lonny Magazine style

As most of you know, my obsession with the doors of my wonderful city just had me on one...I. cant. stop. Every time I snap a photo of a new door, my imagination runs wild with what could be inside these incredible apartment spaces. Every once and a while someone has their drapes pulled back and you can see inside and gaze at the lovely decor. I love this, but hank goodness for Lonny mag, who gave me a glimpse inside one of the most fabulously decorated NYC apartments I have seen in a while...

An ultra fabulous gal Jessika Goranson, tricked out her upper east side apartment with some serious panache. Layers and super chic accessories make this apartment all about the details. I really love the way she styled it up. First. WALLPAPERED HALLWAYS. I think it's such a good idea. In my own apartment I painted my hallway with stripes, it makes the whole area seem bigger. 
POPS OF PINK. Her style is pretty feminine but its not too over the top. This pop of pink is perfect, don't you think?
 She styles things up really well and has a collection of dogs and little figurines would that make any true traditional decorista swoon.
 
 
 Alas, a perfectly decorated hallway for New York City and a collection of horse art, that just seals the deal. So very upper east side and so very swanky. Fab job Jess.
images via Patrick Cline for Lonny...

LOVING LONNY LIVING...an NYC editor's buduoir

My brain is absolutely excited that the weekend is here, despite the rain I am thoroughly enjoying finally staying in the city for the weekend. No traveling for the entire month, thank goodness! It's time for me to get things organized and clear out the things I don't use anymore (Jen totally inspired me). 
More than that what I will be spending my weekend doing is getting a clear vision of what I want for my new apartment. So, as I was catching up on my favorite online glossies, I stumbled upon Michelle Adam's of Lonny Magazine and her gorgeous new bedroom. I am such a sucker for canopy beds and in this issue she details just how she did it so you can do it too...

 I really am impressed by the way she kept things simple and white. White walls are so my weakness right now. I think it really works in a super modern space with lots of natural light like hers. Black, white and gold elements just are pure perfection in this space without being boring. I'm a fan of panache, you know, living with flamboyance and flair. That means not being afraid to mix leopard, bold florals and some sparkle. Michelle did this while still keepings things sophisticated looking, which I absolutely love. 
 She even got a little Kelly Wearstler-esque by using abstract and geometric accessories. Such glamour without over doing it. This bedroom is a total win win for me! I am seriously chomping at the bits to decorate my new bedroom. 

images via lonny magazine photos by patrick cline

WISHING I LIVED HERE...

We all know my affections for black, white and kelly green all mixed together. In fact, I've been looking to add a dash of kelly green to my apartment and the moment I spotted this New York apartment it was complete confirmation. It's so very modern and glam and I absolutely love it...

I love all of he patterns and eclectic mix of furniture.
When can I move in?
images via 534 w42, midtown west.