Exploring the City That Never Sleeps
I recently returned from a trip to New York City, where I spent six jam-packed days exploring and discovering the city's many wonders.
Little Island by the High Line - Snow on the ground
Travel has always been a significant part of my life. I lived overseas when I was ten years old, and since then, I have tried to travel as much as possible. I met my husband, a Kiwi, in London, and we traveled extensively together but never to America. Recently, we had the opportunity to get away just the two of us, we made the most of every kid-free minute.
The view from our hotel towards Soho - Moxi Lower East Side
Despite having visited New York twice before, I was amazed by how much the city had changed. The grime and graffiti of my childhood memories were still present, but they were now complemented by a plethora of new, stylish spaces that were begging to be explored.
Moxy Hotel - Lower East Side
One of the highlights of my trip was my stay at The Moxi, a new hotel on the Lower East Side. The hotel's design was both sophisticated and bold, with a distinct nod to the artist Mondrian and his use of primary colors and linear design. The reception/bar area was a maximalist paradise, with an abundance of pattern on pattern, from the tiled floors to the countertops and mix of fabrics and textures. I was so excited one of my favourite UK brands, House of Hackney OPIA Velvet was used on the booth seats in the bar. Green bathroom sinks, green floral wallpaper, brass tapware, and pill-shaped mirrors in the unisex restrooms were very current.
Moxy Hotel - Lower East Side
Moxy Hotel - Lower East Side.
Throughout the city, subway tiles were a recurring design feature, adorning the walls of hotels, subways, restrooms, bars, and cafes. The variety of formats and colour combinations was truly impressive. Checkerboard pattern floors a New York Style staple was also abundant.
The Beekman Hotel - Lower Manhattan
The Beekman hotel is a must visit if you love interiors, amazing food and cocktails. The photos really don’t do it justice.
We visited loads of vintage cafes, bars, and hotels that were full of rustic charm. The upholstery and décor were impeccable, and the booths, velvet sofas, and armchairs were hard to resist. I also made sure to visit a few modern spaces that were equally impressive. I didn’t expect the food to be a highlight, but the hours of research on which locations to visit from a design perspective paid off and the food did not disappoint. From an Oyster Bay in Grand Central Station to dinner at the Beckman Hotel, breakfast at Jack’s Wife Freda, a bagel, doughnut, and pastrami sandwich all completed the real American adventure.
Hotel Chelsea -
“I loved this place, its shabby elegance, and the history it held so possessively… So many had written, conversed, and convulsed in these Victorian dollhouse rooms. So many skirts had swished these worn marble stairs. So many transient souls had espoused, made a mark, and succumbed here.” -PATTI SMITHS.
Known as a frequent hangout of Andy Warhol, if only the walls could talk in this hotel
Hotel Chelsea
The Wooly Soho
The Wooly - Soho
The Wooly was a new little local we found in Soho, this is the one place we went to twice. I was drawn to the teal green colour of the walls, the cole and son wallpaper, the lights and the music.
Snow in Central Park - It doesn’t get more New York!
On a more touristy note, we were lucky enough to experience snowfall twice during our stay, turning New York City into a winter wonderland, after a few hours’ walk in Central Park. This gave us the perfect excuse to seek refuge in art galleries, having a fine arts degree means seeing Iconic American art never gets old. The Whitney Museum, MOMA, and the Guggenheim were our top picks, as well as walking the Highline, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, and exploring the Soho and the Lower East Side. We literally did not stop.
The Lower East Side - The Ludlow
Brooklyn & Williamsburg
1803 New Orleans Restaurant - New York City
Cocktails in New York City come with a price tag, but they are so worth it. Like the interior design, they were bold, brave, and packed a punch, not for the faint-hearted. If you can find your way into one of the city's many speakeasies, the lounge designs on the inside will not disappoint, nor will the people watching, bands, and staff. It's so New York.
The Apotheke - Speakeasy (The ceiling and the light)
If you can I would highly recommend a city break to this incredible city, grab your favourite person don’t look back, and don’t let the freezing temperatures of February put you off!
