NY Inspiration
September 23, 2010
Greetings friends, I’m back from a whirlwind three day trip! It was great to be back in one of my favorite places on earth, I love the energy of NYC, and the weather was absolute perfection!
The first two days were spent mostly at media events, but I confess, the highlighted stops for me were our last day spent touring the unbelievably gorgeous ABC Home, and then lunching at Eataly a few blocks away, both in the Flatiron district. I’ve seen all the big tourist attractions, so these were a new adventure, and I absolutely loved them!
ABC Home is six levels of unbelievable inspiration, ranging from traditional to urban style furniture, plus bedding, rugs, lighting, and accessories ~ it’s a home decorator’s dream! I want to thank Lana for giving me the scoop on this place, because I left truly inspired.
So many colorful accent pillows . . .
Unique light fixtures . . .
Beautiful accessories everywhere you turn.
I love to browse high end stores stores to study really good design, but then I’m always scheming how to get the look for much less. Like these Fritz Hansen chairs, priced at $680 each.
I found some very similar green versions at Tarjay for $80 for a pair.
My favorite floor, of course, is Level Five with all the European inspired furniture. Once the elevator doors opened, it was heaven! Tons of antique reproduction furniture just waiting to be upholstered in your choice of fabric, all staged around these incredibly huge pillars, all with layers of patina. Gorgeousness around every turn.
I could have danced all night . . . I could have stayed all day!
If you’re nowhere near New York, you can get your hands on some ABC goodies by browsing their online store.
Another quick stop was Eataly, which has been open less than a month, but judging by the crowds, it’s already a NY favorite. It’s an Italian marketplace that spreads out over 50,000 square feet. It’s filled with several restaurants and the finest Italian imports. It reminded me a bit of the waterfront marketplace at the Ferry Building in San Francisco with its fresh California selections, but Eataly is filled with European delights including fresh produce, meats, seafood, pasta, gelato, and much more.
From the moment you enter, you’re struck with all the beautiful produce, some you’ll only find in a gourmet marketplace like this one.
I love to gaze at specialty foods almost as much as home accessories. It’s just the foodie in me. These kinds of displays make my heart (or should I say taste buds) go pitter patter.
Meats . . .
Cheeses . .
Fresh pastas . . .
Eataly is foodie heaven. You must visit !
By far, the best perk of rearranging my busy schedule to travel to NYC was hanging out with some really amazing ladies who I adore. I want to give a shout out to Cristin (my awesome roomie), Rhoda, Emily and her friend Katie, Sarah, Beth, Janell, Lakeitha, Jade, and Lana (fellow True Value DIY Squad member) who also met up with us in Manhattan.
Lastly, let me say I’ve read most of the posts other bloggers have written on The Nate Show experience. Despite the trash talk uttered by some, I have to disagree with their negative spin. My experience was mostly positive, and I enjoyed myself very much. I’ve never sat in a TV show audience, so that alone was so fascinating to me.
I found Nate to be warm, engaging, and delightful! I know many design bloggers have vented that they weren’t given enough recognition for their travels, and while there could have been more acknowledgment, I really don’t blame Nate. He’s just starting out carrying an entire show, and he’s doing the best he can. If anything, his production staff needs to work out some kinks and pay more attention to social media. Overall, he acted very professional throughout the taping of the show, and during the Q&A afterward.
I think Nate’s a doll, and I wish him nothing but success. His design talent cannot be denied, he is brilliant when it comes to pulling together an amazing space. It’s a shame others aren’t more encouraging in their reviews. I’m just a big believer in lifting each other up, not tearing each other down. I’m so excited for Janell too, she’s actually going to be on the show, did you hear? She’s a reminder to always be gracious in this business, because only good things can come to you when you act in a professional manner.
Overall, it was a fantastic trip except for our airplane mishap. Our plane sat on the runway before takeoff for over three hours because the President landed at JFK, plus there were other delays. I was tweeting while clicking my imaginary ruby slippers, thinking over and over “There’s no place like home.” It’s good to be back!
Tags: nate berkus, new york city
I have to go check out the online store!! I’m so glad you had such a great time at the show! I have to say I’m a little envious of you and Janell getting to hang out with Nate in the most amazing city :)
XO
Kristin
That store looked amazing! I’m so jealous of your NY trip! As far as Nate’s show is concerned, there’s no bigger fan then I am and I think he’s beyond amazing and talented but I am disappointed in his show it’s really all over the place and I think the reason I’m most disappointed because I wanted this show to be great for him. I believe in lifting people higher too but lifting them higher might come with some constructive criticism. I hope the producers come together and make this show right because Nate’s a very talented designer!
Kate, I could not wait for your post about your trip to NY. I knew it would be first class with beautiful inspirational images. You did NOT disappoint. Way to go girl, and way to keep it classy!!
ABC Home looks absolutely amazing! Glad you had a wonderful trip to NYC!
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and pictures! I am visiting NYC next week, so I will definitely check out Eataly and the ABC Home store.
You had me at “European inspired furniture.” ;)
You and Rhoda seem to really have made a great decision to keep an entirely positive attitude in reference to the trip and also the details you incorporate into your blog review! I respect that immensely!
I just wrote to Rhoda and told her that I think other bloggers are innocent to a certain extent because they believe that as bloggers they should “tell it like it is,” about their Nate experience and they aren’t even aware that what they’re writing can come across more harshly than they intended. So, I think they truly don’t comprehend the negative impact of their words.
That being said, however, you seem to be proactively making an effort to only uplift and I applaud you for that extra effort. The blog world and, alas, the world as a totality need more proactively positive people, so thank you so much for that!!!
Hugs,
Lana (the other Lana–I am going to have to go and write to the other Lana since so few folks have our name!)
What an exciting trip! Thanks for sharing the photos. Although I’m rarely in NY, I will definitely try to make stops at both ABC Home (love the pillows in that first pillow photo!) and Eataly (Oh, how I miss living somewhere with an Italian market/deli).
Thank you for such a great, positive and professional review! I don’t understand the others ~ not the way to support Nate or our blogging world. I’m sure you had a blast! I adore NYC and am enthralled with every facet of this great city. Sorry about the plane/airport stuff ~ that’s never fun. So glad you were able to make the trip and again, thanks for sharing!
I got those chairs at Tarjay in espresso for $50 just this past Sunday.. maybe your green ones will be on sale :)
Kate, my dear, what a great post! One of the best highlights for me was getting to hang out with YOU so much and going thru ABC Designs was the perfect finale to our time in NY. Big hugs my friend, thank you for being so kind and a joy to be around! xoxo
I was astonished and disappointed at the outcry among some bloggers that they weren’t the focus on Nate’s show. They are coming across to those of us outside of that world as a big bunch of whiners.
I’d much rather hear Nate than a blogger who has seen a project on another blog and copied it. It seems like half of the DIY decorating blogs pass around info they’ve found on other blogs; there is not as much new creativity as there should be, given the number of blogs out there; and rarely are there tutorials that give enough info to a raw beginner (like me) to actually DO a project. There are many assumptions made that every reader has read the blog from day 1, that every reader knows what a particular tool is or how to use it, what the difference is between paints, how DOES one spray paint without getting spray all over the floors, the walls if one can’t paint outdoors or in a garage, why do some people sand and prime, and some just start spraying painting away? I love looking at the befores and afters and feel inspired reading these blogs, but really, when it comes down to it, I can rarely use the info to actually do anything because of the details that have been left out.
Anyway, back to Nate: IMO, the privilege was in being invited, and his staff making the effort to honor the DIY decor blog world by just offering the opportunity and helping to coordinate the effort. If bloggers were the focus and to be featured, their airfares/hotel rooms would have been paid for, they would have been wined & dined, picked up at the airport, transported to the studio, make-up, etc. I assume there was no contract stating anything beyond what was done, would be done. The privilege was in the invite. Icing on the cake was being together, meeting each other. Was there not value in that whether out of each person’s pocket or not?
I appreciate your grateful attitude on the privilege of being recognized with the invitation you received. I adore Nate and would love to have gone.
Looks like a wonderful trip! NY is top on my list of places I’d like to visit.
I so appreciate your classy and gracious approach to your blog posts – well done. ;)
Hi Kate-
It was truly exciting meeting you up in NYC. Wish I had been available to meet up with you, Rhoda, and the others for dinner on Monday eve. It was just a most amazing couple of days and making so many connections was the true highlight of the trip for me. Your photos are wonderful and looking at the ones from Eataly are making me hungry.
I also wanted to tell you that I know I can always count on you to be my classic movie buff buddy. Can’t get enough of them. My 23 year old daughter is in Africa in the Peace Corps and texted me yesterday to answer a Cary Grant movie question. Seems she was in a debate with some others about him and his movies and she knew I would know the answer. Got a few high fives sent over the Atlantic from her for helping her out. Truly a passion of mine.
My best-
Diane
ahhhh….NYC in the fall. There’s nothing better. My parents live an hour north of the city. One of these days I’m going to head up there w/out kids and spend the weekend doing the city MY way!
Not a blogger but love reading your blog.
Just love your blog and wanted to let you know your blog is WOW WOW WOW!
HI CG:
So here I am, a native NYer and have not yet been to Eataly but you had!! So, of course, after reading your blog entry, I grabbed my Mom and off we went into Manhattan to grab my Fashion Institute of Technology son and head on down to 23rd St. I sent you all the NY links a few days back…and you returned the favor by informing me of this wonderful spot! Because of you we had a great afternoon! Turn is around is fair play, so thank you! We ate great cheeses with honey, foccocia bread to die for and the hazelnut gelato I cannot put into words! I also bought Lidia’s artichoke marinara and trekked it all through my Macys shopping…a heavy load but worth it once we came home and ate! YUM!! Glad you enjoyed our city! :0)
NYC is on my bucket list, and now I have moved it up to a higher position. With your delightful details in hand, I will take it by storm. Thanks for the loverly post! It is beautiful!!!
ABC is one of my favorite stores on earth! (I have those chairs in my kitchen.) :) I’m glad you got to experience it and that you had such a good trip. And yay for Janell!
[...] the best (and chicest!) planners. I had the immense pleasure of rooming with Cristin when I traveled to NYC last fall, and we quickly became friends. Cristin has impeccable taste in design and is also [...]
I read your post the other day about being on the Nate Show and I haven’t watched it but maybe once or twice over the past few months and it was completely by accident. But, my husband was in the room with me when I said, “I’ve got to figure out how to find The Nate Show!!!” So, since I’m not a tv person, my husband found it for me and recorded his show on Wednesday! I watched it thinking you may not be on today, because of taping shedules and you weren’t. :( So, I am glad to know that you will be on in Feb. and I can watch it then! It looks like you had a great time. Wonder what those squirrels are doing right now!!!