Holiday Gold in NYC

The holiday season seems to be especially hectic this year.  Between the trips here and there, holiday shopping and prepping, much less working, little time is left over to devote to blogging as I'd like to.

I often feel like this "scene" we caught on our trip to New York City last week:

Speaking of, we had the pleasure of visiting the new Fortuny showroom in the D and D Building. Designed by Barry Dixon, it was so fun to see the gorgeous fabrics that the Fortuny company continues to produce, closely honoring the designs and principles of Mariano Fortuny.

The walls and furniture, dressed with their lush fabrics, were beautiful. Fortuny also offers fabric-covered journals, address books and pillows- perfect for gift giving right now. You can see more pictures here.

I'll take the whole room!

My daughter treated us to an evening at the Metropolitan Opera to see Carmen. It was my first time at the Met Opera and it was a wow! evening. I admit that I am not an avid opera fan, but Carmen was amazing. However, the Met Opera House's gilded ceilings were my main attraction. (Figures, doesn't it?)

Not only were the soaring expanses covered with gold leaf,

seeing the gilded ceilings along with the Swarovski crystal chandeliers was a real treat. I kept on wondering how brave those artisans were to patiently apply each delicate gold leaf sheet while so high in the air.

We also went by the new Tamsen Z boutique on Madison Avenue, where I admired the perfect Venetian plaster walls.

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 Look closely- do the chandeliers look familiar? Ann Ziff, the owner of Tamsen Z, had the Met Opera's crystal chandeliers duplicated for her shop.

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I think we walked most areas of the city in our few days there. We pounded the pavement and made good use our Metro cards.


Down in SoHo, the Sicis store is an immediate attraction. Gorgeous tiles.

Cool panels.

The gold and blue together are a gorgeous combination. Now that's quite the tub!

There is no place like New York City. It's a great place to visit and get inspired, but I don't know how the folks live there. I am always glad to return home!