Greek Revival

The Merchants House Museum is hosting it's annual party on June 27th.  This is always a fun event with THE most interesting people & of course it supports a good cause, the restoration of the lovely Tredwell home.

To purchase tickets online

reply card

Purchase tix here.

The Museum is located at 29 East 4th Street.

About the Museum

The cultural and architectural importance of the Merchant’s House is undisputed.  Built in 1832 and occupied by a merchant family for nearly 100 years, the House today is New York City’s only family home to have survived virtually intact, inside and out, from the 19th century.

Mission

Through public programs and exhibitions, restoration of its landmark building, and conservation of its original collections, the Museum educates the public about the domestic life of a wealthy merchant family and their four Irish servants, 1835-1865, when the mercantile seaport of New York City emerged as a growing metropolis.

The Building

Considered one of the finest surviving examples of architecture from the period, the Merchant’s House has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark (one of only 2,400) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In New York City, it has been awarded landmark status not only for its 1832 late-Federal brick exterior but also for its Greek revival interior rooms.
Of note, the House was among the first 20 buildings designated in 1965 under the City’s new landmarks law. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is the only historic house museum in the Greenwich Village/Soho/NoHo neighborhoods and celebrated 75 years as a museum in 2011.

The Collection

The Museum’s collection of over 3,000 items comprises the possessions of the Tredwells, the wealthy merchant-class family who lived in the House from 1835 to 1933. The collection includes furniture, decorative arts, clothing, photographs and books, household items, and personal items. Highlights include a suite of 12 mahogany side chairs attributed to renowned furniture maker Duncan Phyfe, a pair of matching six-globe gas chandeliers, and 40 dresses and numerous fashion accessories that belonged to the Tredwell women.
The Merchant’s House Museum is owned by the City of New York, operated by Old Merchants House of New York, Inc., and is a member of the Historic House Trust.

An Invitiation to a Royal Tea on June 1

The nice people over at Doyle Auction House, specifically Kathleen M. Doyle, Chairman/CEO, have invited me (& of course you dear reader!) to:

A Royal Tea

Marking 60 years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II

A private breakfast tea

and

preview of the Joanne Melniker Stern Royal Memoribilia Collection*

June 1, 2012

9:00 a.m. - 11:11 a.m.

 

 "Hats, fascinators & tiaras welcome!"

Please R.S.V.P. by May 30

Events@DoyleNewYork.com

or

212-427-4141, ext. 600

*catalog

I've been trying to post this for 5 days!  It is too good of an event to let go unposted tho' so I persevere with it nonetheless.  I apologize for the relative unattractiveness of this post but I've given up on formatting etc. 

Won't you stay a while?

I have exciting news! You can now stay in the at Dumfries House Lodge
from GBP 85-145/$136-233/night.  If you're considering attending Royal Ascot or the summer Olympics in London you might consider a trip to see Dumfries too!  

Built in 1750 and in use a few years prior to the completion of Dumfries House, the ‘Garden Cottage’ as it was known in the18th century, became the Factor’s house and remained so for over 200 years.

Over the past nine months, an extensive programme of renovation works has transformed the property into an exclusive, luxurious Guest House featuring six individually designed guest bedrooms, each with its own en-suite facilities.

Each room enjoys all of the modern facilities expected by the discerning guest including discreetly integrated Plasma screen, WiFi and luxury tea/coffee facilities.               

You may remember the exciting story of the saving of the contents of Dumfries House from the auction block by Prince Charles in 2007.

Dumfries House is one of Britain’s most beautiful stately homes and best kept heritage secrets.

With its sumptuous interiors and magnificent furnishings, all set in two thousand acres of land, there is something to delight and enchant visitors of all ages.

Built between 1754 and 1759 for the 5th Earl of Dumfries, and with a unique collection of Chippendale furniture, the House has been described as an 18th century time-capsule since the principal rooms and their contents have remained virtually unchanged for 250 years.

In June 2007, HRH The Prince of Wales, under his title as the Great Steward of Scotland, headed a consortium of charities and heritage bodies to purchase this unique house, its contents and adjoining land, in order to keep this historical jewel intact and accessible to the public.
However, the House is only the beginning. HRH The Prince Charles has also set in motion several exciting projects that will not only reinvigorate the surrounding area, but will also create a lasting and creative legacy for many years to come.
These heritage-led regeneration projects include, amongst others, apprenticeships in skilled crafts and labour such as Animal Husbandry, Stone Masonry, and Sustainable Organic Farming. There will also be a petting farm created, along with a large portion of land given over to allotments for the local community.
Perhaps the most exciting and challenging project will be the creation of a complete Eco Village named Knockroon, which will provide environmentally friendly, affordable housing to the public.
In addition to these facilities, an eye has also been turned to developing the business aspect of Dumfries House, and so a Hotel is planned on the site to enable better conferencing resources as well as offering accommodation to complement private and corporate events.
However, this is only the beginning, and much more work will be required, as will much more funding. This funding will come, in part, from the projects being set up, but the rest will need to be raised by the continued and generous support from corporate and private donors, members of the local community, and the goodwill of everyone who would like to answer the call of The Great Steward of Scotland, and help preserve this national treasure.
As you can see, Dumfries House is an historical gem that is perfectly set for a brighter future...a future that involves supporters young and old and from far and wide, and that includes you!
You can find out how to get more involved by clicking here

Happy Mother's Day!

My Paperless Post card to my mom:

You can send your own card from Paperless Post.

I love this site, there are hundreds of creative cards, envelopes & envelope liners to choose from, it is very reminiscent of some of the fine stationary you can find at Mrs. John L. Strong et al.,
CAVEAT:  The site is a bit wonky when it asks you to log in & then tells you that you are logged in already.  It can be very frustrating (I know!)   Just start a search and you'll be good to go.

Have fun!
ABG

I have not been compensated in any way for this post.

To be fair...



I apologize that this is so difficult to read, please click the image for an easier to read version.

For a great way to support melanoma research click here.

You really should get a full body skin check up from a dermatologist if you've never had one.  This gives you a base case.  If you're fair skinned you should go every year.  I can recomend two good derms in NYC (in alphabetical order.)

Dr. Lee Klausner

Dr. Patricia Wexler

or at least

Check yourself out! 

Please let me know if you have a recommendation for a derm (any location) or a tip/trick to prevent skin cancer (or sun damage & age spots in general.)

Enjoy the sun responsibly,

ABG

P.S.:  Please remember to always put a sunhat on babies (boys & girls) and to apply & reapply sunscreen to the kiddies.

I have not been compensated in any way for this post.

R.I.P. Maurice Sendak

I can't believe I'm two days late on this, Maurice Sendak passed away on May 8th, 2012.  I loved his books, I could lose myself in the wonderfully detailed drawings.



Rosenbach Museum & Library


Maurice Sendak originally painted this mural in the New York apartment of his friends the Chertoffs; it now hangs in the Rosenbach Museum & Library in Philadelphia.

The New York Times obituary

Hooray for Kip's Bay!

One of my favorite annual events is the Kip's Bay Decorator Show House.

May 16 - June 14
Open late Tuesday & Thursday nights until 8:00 p.m.

A fun opportunity to see the work of brilliant interior designers like Bunny Williams, Charlotte Moss & Susan Zises Green and support the wonderful Boys & Girls club.

There is an opening night cocktail party on May 15th from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.,  the $125 ticket to the party includes an add'l ticket so you can come back at another time as well.

This year it is on the Upper West Side* which is a big change of pace. I can recommend a great place to stop for a snack either before or after the show:

Epicerie Boulud on Broadway & 64th.

All the details are here.

*Please note:  The address is Riverside Blvd. which is NOT Riverside Drive (RSD.)  It is a new street added in front of the Trump bldgs facing the Hudson River.  Go to the end of 66th St. (you will cross RSD) until you hit a dead end, this is Riverside Blvd.  Take a right, you'll see the Aldyn between 62nd-63rd Sts. 

Let me know which room was your favorite!

Bideawee Ball

June 11, 2012

Click image above to enlarge

Please consider attending the ball, dogs invited! 

You can purchase tix here.

RIP MCA

Requiescat in pace

Cinco de Mayo

I thought this was the most clever Cinco de Mayo item I'd ever seen.
It is the Laika pinata desingned by Matt Singer.

Do you know why Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in Mexico?

If not, please read this: cinco de mayo history