Home Décor Find: Groovy Wallpaper
Jonathan Adler gives walls some love with a new line of wallpaper.
August 09, 2011
Jonathan Adler lends his signature playful style to wallpaper ($250 per roll) with 16 new designs from bold stripes to groovy graphics. The new offerings will be available in late August.
Storied Nightlife: Maxim’s Paris
A new book chronicles a Parisian legend.
August 08, 2011
When Maxime Gaillard first opened his modest bouchon at 3 Rue Royale in 1893, few could have predicted its lasting impact on Parisian nightlife and its elite patrons. Currently owned by iconic couturier Pierre Cardin, who for the past 25 years has turned it from Maxim’s “the eatery” to Maxim’s “the international brand,” it is the subject of the new book Maxim’s Mirror of Parisian Life by Jean-Pascal Hesse ($85). In his preface Cardin outlines the importance of preserving the role of Maxim’s in Parisian nightlife by keeping it relevant to its newer patrons while upholding its art nouveau influence. Lavish illustrations and photos document a continually impressive guest list, from the days when Russian tsars and aristocracy dined frequently to the 1950s when Aristotle Onassis and Maria Callas were regulars—and right through to Lady Gaga today. Hesse takes us through times of war and hardship and hedonism and glamour in this story, and foodies will appreciate the 30 accompanying recipes including the saddle of lamb and opera cake.
MM6 x Opening Ceremony
A line built on convertibility opens up endless possibilities.
August 05, 2011
The new collection from MM6 Maison Martin Margiela x Opening Ceremony celebrates convertibility. Many pieces from the fall line adopt a three-in-one approach and transform into several separately wearable pieces. There are 20 original styles including knit dresses, quilted jackets, stirrup jeans and leather accessories, but after accounting for all the detachable pieces (60 altogether) the combinations and looks seem endless. 33 Howard St., 212-219-2688
Accessories Watch: Colorful Cuffs
Textured cuffs by Dannijo brighten things up.
August 04, 2011
Whether you are a lover of brights or tend toward neutrals, these stingray cuffs ($238–$338) by Dannijo give just the right punch of color. They come in three sizes, a dozen shades and with the option of gold studs. Mix, match and layer to your heart’s content. Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Ave., 212-753-7300
Hotel Opening: The Nolitan
A new luxury boutique hotel appears in Nolita.
August 04, 2011
The Nolitan officially opened its doors this week, becoming the latest luxury boutique hotel to hit Manhattan. The new arrival is all about personalized attention. When booking, guests are asked to create a personal profile so the hotel staff can provide a personalized experience. In addition to the premium concierge services, there are also complimentary bikes and skateboards for exploring the neighborhood, access to the nearby Equinox fitness center, and even a packing/unpacking service. Most of the 55 rooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows (some with private balconies) for a better vantage point of the historic neighborhood. The lobby has a library curated by Phaidon Books and the restaurant Ellabess opens later this month with American cuisine by chef Troy Unruh. 30 Kenmare St., 212-925-2555
Introducing Jimmy Choo Men’s
Mr. Porter shows off the new Jimmy Choo men’s collection on the High Line.
August 03, 2011
With a newly launched men’s collection, guys can now understand why women go gaga for Jimmy Choo shoes. Under the creative direction of Tamara Mellon, the fall 2011 line combines British style with a touch of the 1960s, striking the perfect balance between classic and contemporary. The collection also caters to various tastes: high tops and leather sneakers for the laidback or creative guy, oxfords and loafers for the traditional gent and leopard-print or paisley brocade for the fellow with an extra flair for fashion. mrporter.com
Wine Time: Vin Sur Vingt
Find a tasting tour of French wine country in the heart of New York City.
August 03, 2011
A trip to the newly opened Vin Sur Vingt is a trip to France’s wine country. The intimate bar offers up to 50 wines by the glass on a list broken down by regions: Loire Valley, Alsace, Bordeaux, Sud Ouest, Beaujolais, Rhône Valley, Bourgogne, Languedoc Roussillon, Provence, Jura et Savoie and Corsica.
“Some people are afraid of French wine and French food because they think it’s intimidating, but we’ve made the menu very simple,” says owner Sebastien Auvet. “We’re not trying to be upscale, just simple.” A bit of imagination is encouraged as the tastings are meant to transport you to the area where the grapes were born. For instance, when trying the Sancerre sauvignon blanc, you’ll discover its bite is due to the high mineral content in the limestone-rich Loire Valley soil. Soon enough you’ll imagine the steep hilly vineyards in a blaze of red and gold vine leaves. The same grape from Graves will taste much fruitier because of the moisture available in this gravelly region just south of Bordeaux by the left bank of the Garonne River.
“It’s important for people to be able to picture it,” says Auvet. “It’s part of the experience.” If customers need a little push, Auvet is ready with informative wine dictionaries, iPad apps, photos or even his own personal accounts. “In France I’ve travelled to these places. So when I drink the wine, I get an image in my head,” he says. “I can imagine the region of Bordeaux with its small fishing villages, small cabins and pine tree forests… the amazing views and the peacefulness come back to me immediately. When I drink Banyuls, a sweet red wine, it brings to mind the rocks and the sea.”
Auvet’s approach to wine is unfussy and refreshing—the mark of a new breed of wine connoisseurs. “In France, for my generation, wine was too sophisticated and mature and it didn’t make sense [to] us,” he says. “So I discovered wine very late.” He didn’t start drinking it until he moved to New York seven years ago and began working in fine dining establishments such as Bouley. “I saw that New Yorkers really love wine. [Even] more than French people.” New York helped him connect to the wine of his home country, so Auvet is now returning the favor. 201 W. 11th St., 212-924-4442
Fashionable Roadside Flowers
Create stylish flower arrangements taking your picks from the latest in the floral world: road stands.
August 03, 2011
Next time you’re driving to or from the country, be sure to pull over and smell the flowers. Roadside flowers are in abundance right now, and, when paired with the right weeds (yes, weeds), make lovely locally sourced arrangements.
“You can literally cut this stuff on the road yourself, or there’s tons of road stands that sell local seasonal flowers,” says Michael George, a fashion florist and avid fan of wildflowers. “Right now you can find snap dragons, zinnias and dahlias at the same roadside stands that sell corn. Then add weeds for a wonderful, whimsical, summery feel.”
During a recent demonstration on “Wildflowers and Weeds” at the Flower School New York, George used local weeds such as billy balls, ladies mantle, Echinacea, miniature allium and foxtail weeds. Keep the arrangement simple and “wild,” kind of the way you found them, says George. Then add a few drops of bleach to the water to keep it fresh longer.
Gallery Show: Summertime
The photo exhibit Summertime at Robin Rice Gallery celebrates the dog days of summer.
August 03, 2011
The annual photography exhibition Summertime at Robin Rice Gallery (through September 11) celebrates the freedom and adventure of the season. More than 100 reflective, sentimental and playful photos hung salon-style encompass the show, which makes for an unforgettable summer scene. The images invariably include water—whether it be the ocean surf, a river currant, a lake or the spray of a fire hydrant—and the 56 artists knew where to go to capture people in their freest form. Pictures in all styles and sizes are strategically grouped like collages from floor to ceiling in the gallery, each telling an inviting story—the kind only pictures can tell. 325 W. 11th St., 212-366-6660
Ultra-Light Fashion
Diaphanous designs are a clear choice on hot days.
August 03, 2011
With temperatures edging into the hundreds, clothing can feel oppressive. Free yourself by opting for sheer, flowy fabrics that let in the breeze. Keep accessories just as light, and layer with some solid pieces for a touch of modesty.
