FUN IN NEW YORK

After a four year absence
I was very happy to get back to New York
for the Gift Show this last February.  I was going
for business but planned to squeeze in
some play time. I had my list of "must do's".
 I arrived late afternoon and hit the streets running.

I couldn't wait to get to EATALY

that I have heard so much about.  The goal

here is eat, shop, learn.  It is a supermarket

with restaurants offering quality in every category.

You can eat at one of their six restaurants

or choose some of the house

made delicacies to go. The choices

are endless.  The place is gorgeous, a

feast for the eye as well as the stomach.

My two favorite areas were the seafood counter

and the bakery where they had the most

amazing choices of breads, paninis

and pizzas.  Next time thats what I will

be coming for.

It was a beautiful night and I just walked

not really having a plan or destination.

                   That's one of the great things about

New York no matter where you head

there is something fun to see.

Next day after spending several hours

at the Pier for the first day of the show

I decided I needed another dose of

New York flavor.  I convinced my

good friend and fellow rep Lucha Bott to

join me.  I had seen a great program

on the THE HIGH LINE on 10th Avenue

between 14th and 30th, where they

have taken the old train tracks and

turned it into a wonderful walking park.

Being another beautiful day the place

was packed with people.

Along the route they have build

great benches, added greenery

and made it a wonderful place to be.

Some interesting art sculptures along the way.

Your up off of the street so the

view of the city is really a treat.

A totally different perspective of

New York.

As well as the many benches of brick and wood

they have a large selection of

FERMOB the French outdoor

furniture line I represent.  So Lucha

and I took a little break.

When this project started the neighbors

weren't that keen about it being so close

to the apartment buildings that set

up against it.  Now it is a totally different

story.  Some great new places have sprung

up and the area around it has been

rejuvenated with some great retail

stores and restaurants.

Speaking of retail stores are next stop

was ABC HOME.  Everyone coming

for the Gift show has to check out

this store.  They do a great job

of display and they have lots to

look at.  First stop was bed and

bath.  We loved the showing

of SCENTS AND FEEL.

POM POM AT HOME  had a nice

representation of there baby collection.

They don't do anything in a smal way at

this store.

But they also pay attention to detail.

Right across the street is a really fun

store called FISH'S EDDY selling

dishes and glassware. Husband and wife

owners are celebrating their 25th year of selling a

mix of vintage finds with fresh new designs.

It is utilitarian meets fun which also

aims to liberate the consumer from

the tyranny of matchy-matchy.

To get addresses of these places just

click the name and it will take you

to their web sites.  I can't wait

for August when I get to go back

for more fun in New York.

I get out of the taxi and it's probably the

only city which in reality looks better than

on the postcards, New York.

                                          Milos Forman

SIMPLE, SOPHISTICATED AND STYLISH

This is an important week in the furniture
business with the start of the High
Point Furniture Market.  AIDAN GRAY HOME
is making a large spring introduction.
Here are some of them in these
beautiful style shoots.

I love the cushion ties that go all the

way down the legs of this chair.

This chair looks so inviting.

The Josie occasional chair is sevlte,

shapely and slightly sultry.  It would

be the center of attention in any room.

Ethan Arm Bench is stately and charming,

hand finished in barwood with

classic French nail trim.  Also

note the three arm sconce and

the distressed mirror little side

table that would fit anywhere.

The Blue Occasional chair is a

perfect compliment to a bedroom corner,

entry way or nested in a study.

Isla Bench, romantic and intriguing

with a nod to a classic sentiment of

ease and comfort.  A lazy afternoon

can be spent lounging on the loose,

under stuffed down and foam cushion.

Above hangs a chandelier that

is bound to become another

AIDAN GRAY HOME  classic.

Graceful and elegant the Andrew

Bench is a refined and exquisite

addition to any home.  Tastefully

finished with leg tie straps and

hand finished in stone gray.

A solute to spring, this garden

wire urn and stand aren't new

items but very relevent and will

never go out of style.

This is actually just a small sampling

of the simple, sophisticated and

stylish introductions for Spring.



ROOM AT THE BEACH

As a long time rep I have always loved
great store names especially when the
store is as good as the name.
ROOM AT THE BEACH  fits all the
criteria.  Great name and great store.

I have been taking pictures on my

last three visits so we will go from

Christmas to Spring, so don't be

surprised when you see a Christmas tree.

The classic California look is rooted in the ease

of a comfortable and low-key lifestyle. This

style of living forms the base of the stores

collections.  The color palette takes cues from

the natural beauty of the California coast.

The front of the store has a slide up door

that helps create that indoor outdoor

atmosphere that we love in So. Ca.

Owner Elizabeth Lamont is also an interior

designer who helps clients create the

perfect combination of classic, relaxed living.

She also finds time on her busy schedule to

be a guest blogger at MariaShriver.com.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of

spending the day with

ANNIE SELKE, of PINE CONE HILL 

and DASH AND ALBERT.

Our first stop was to Malibu to see

Elizabeth and ROOM AT THE BEACH.

The last time I was in the store Spring

had arrived.  Entertaining is one of

Elizabeth's passions and she provides

everything to make it a memorable event.

Another category that plays an important

part in the store is ocean and beach.

Shells and especially coral are a very

 popular decorating accessory.

Live your life with the doors wide open.

                                 Elizabeth Lamomt



Room at the Beach

3835 Cross Creek Road  #23

Malibu, Ca. 90265

310 456 2099