New York City

“There is no question that there is an unseen world. The problem is, how far is it from midtown and how late is it open?” ~Woody Allen

 As I begin to mentally pack my luggage and daydream of returning to New York, my mind wanders...

 New York City, so many designers, artists, and craftsman—spectacular architecture and not to mention the introduction to new products that cannot only fill our lives with conveniences, but with beauty.  

In August of 2009, Saturdays opened its flagship store in SoHo as New York's premier downtown surf shop.

Before I decide on what to bring along, I imagine myself walking down the sidewalks from Broadway to Alphabet City, eating and drinking my way down to Saturday’s. As I finally approach the quaint surf shop the light reflecting off of the glass hits my eye; it’s obviously a sunny afternoon in my mind and I’m taken back to summer, to a time where the flip-flops and board shorts were once tucked away in the messenger bag for the quick getaway to the beach. 

It all started here, in SoHo, September, 1977. This team creates a feast for the senses in an environment where expert customer service and culinary excellence reign.

However, in this daydream after gazing at surf gear, I make a dash to Dean and Deluca. I walk in and the smell of freshly baked bread that fills the grocery. I hear the crackle of crust and mindlessly grab everything I can reach for. I’m sure this isn’t the first time someone impulse bought almost half of the store… 

Bunny Williams co-owns Treillage Ltd., a garden furniture and ornament shop in New York, with antiques dealer John Rosselli.

With bags in hand now, I travel to Treillage—Bunny William’s shop. Beautifully balanced and having an undisciplined look in both garden and interior. A definite must see for interior designers. 

A 16-foot Buddha, which floats above a reflecting pool filled with Japanese carp, presides over the scene at Tao.

Finally, my feet begin to drag on the walk back to the hotel. On my way to my room, I plan my venture for the next day. Tonight, I’m sure to dream of Tao’s amazing cuisine as I drift off to sleep—the image of steaming pot-stickers ensure a quick visit for tomorrow’s lunch. 

Many thanks to Modunus.com for including me in this year’s blog tour of New York City. I am ever so excited about the annual Mary’s and Mimosas event at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, design tours and swank cocktail parties. Not to mention catching up with friends at Dining by Design.

Meet the Team, see the sites

The product line up is incredible. I am humbled an honored to be apart of it. Keep an eye out for updates on my Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Make sure you’re connected with the links below.

Have a terrific week and if you can think of anything a Chicago beach bum that loves design, great friends, and good food would enjoy, let me know.

https://www.facebook.com/michaelryandesign

http://www.michaelryandesign.com/journal/

https://twitter.com/dempsterbeach

http://pinterest.com/dempsterbeach/

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Printemps

As I look outside my window, to see a whole city covered in a blanket of snow, I’m reminded of Bing Crosby, Christmas carols and all things holiday.  Yet, the presents under the tree have been opened for some time now, the ornaments gone, and lights properly put away. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love winter, being from Colorado; I love skiing down the slopes of Breckenridge and walking in my snow-boots to Starbucks.  I love everything from the first frost to the last flake falling.

But spring, if you’re reading this… can you come visit soon? 

Garden Plans

The world is anticipating your inevitable return and causing me to miss the warm(er) weather. Not merely the warm breeze, but the color green! My favorite reads on this frigid day was anything garden, with the likes of Carolyne Roehm, Robert Norris, Privet Home and Garden along with Suzanne Cummings and her images of her hand tied bouquets. I couldn’t help but to daydream of white gardens, the scents, textures, accents, charm and finally entertaining in the coming spring.

Maiden Hair Fern

With that constantly in the back of my mind, I want to decorate the house with Maiden Hair ferns under cloches, pick out seeds, and rework the garden landscape. I daydream of spring’s potential. Nothing would make me happier than being able to start growing a few Paperwhite bulbs on the kitchen windowsill or placing them strategically around the house utilizing my collection of white pottery.

Where have those strong wheat grass blades gone that I took for granted during the summer? It’s time to start growing, don’t you think? 

Our good friend and Chicago’s premiere florist Ms. Suzanne Cummings brings her training with designer Jane Packer of London and her personal esthetic to every creation. When she’s not running about town, Suzanne can be found at http://www.suzannecummingsflowers.com

Mr. Robert Norris not only designs spectacular classical homes at http://www.spitzmillerandnorris.com throughout the country, he gardens. He has taken this hobby to the next level with grounds and combinations that will absolutely inspire. I met Robert on Facebook a while back and I’m so happy I did.

After all, magazines are starting to pile up. I’m simply running out of storage space for all of these articles. In my attempt to organize, I divide the catalogues and magazines into three categories: fashion, color, and garden. (The slow return of the season is definitely not helping my floor plans.)

With each turn of the page, I let my imagination run wild with landscape plans…

One of My favorites spots for Home and Garden. Privet Home’s goal is to provide and serve clients with those often "impossible to find pieces", pieces which are destined to become family heirlooms. If you haven’t checked them out you can find them here, http://www.privethome.com/

Usually, I’m against rushing the seasons. Enjoy them while they’re here is what I tell my family and friends. However, in the case of spring I’ll allow this one exception.