With a whirlwind 24-hour plan, I boarded the train to NYC for a dose of inspiration and a chance to explore artisan studios and boutiques. (Full disclosure: It’s also an opportunity to spend time with our Brooklyn-based daughter, a talented interior designer in her own right.) Many of you have shared your interest in unique experiences - gifts, travel, and entertainment, so today, we’re highlighting a few stops along our urban adventure with a side dish of dining details.

The city offers the opportunity to expand our perspective on trends and styles and experience first-hand the designs captivating global consumers. Trips like this are a critical reminder to think differently and be open to new forms of creativity and craftsmanship.

Here are a few highlights from the streets and studios:

The jewelry studio of Roxanne Assoulin exudes a cheerful vibe at its location just off Madison Park. Stepping off the elevator, you’re met with jars brimming with brightly colored beads, opening to a view of the streets below through oversized windows trimmed in exposed brick. The rooms showcase colorful stacked and beaded rings, bracelets, and jewelry to mix and match. Festive patterns invite you to celebrate an afternoon brunch with friends or a lively evening out on the town. If more formal dress and dining are the plan, you’ll also find jeweled necklaces and sparkling bracelets more suited to the attire. The @roxanneassoulin space is ready for the casual, stylish shopper embracing a fun fashion statement.

On Canal Street, the Roman and Williams Guild offers a different experience. Here, you’ll find designs of upscale, earthy pieces, including hand-blown glass, sterling silver accessories, and elegant ceramic dinnerware. The owners are a highly regarded couple known for their global design experience (Think: Ace Hotel in NY, the NoMad London, the Tin Building, and Ben Stiller’s private residence, to mention only a few.). With decor priced at the upper tier, their beautiful pieces inspire artists to hone their craft for well-heeled buyers. One unique element about this retail space is its co-location with their French restaurant, La Mercerie. It’s interesting to navigate around bustling tables to get to the design gallery, but with space at a premium, @RWGuild makes the most of its location in lower Manhattan.

In addition to the design studios, another quality we appreciate about New York City is its ability to take the ordinary and make it feel different and cool. After hours of walking, we made our way to @parcellewine. From our seats at the green picnic tables, I sipped chilled orange wine, described as “perfect for the front porch.” A lively Friday afternoon crowd surrounded us amid neighborhoods and high-rise buildings as the sun began to set. Locals filled the outdoor tables up and down the intersections of Ludlow, Division, and Canal streets. While it wasn’t luxurious, the surroundings sure made it feel special.

One final note: I have to mention our fabulous dinner at K’Far, an Israeli eatery in the Hoxton Hotel, Brooklyn. Here, the energy and music are turned up a few notches. Our trio shared plates of grilled corn tzatziki paired with fish, a bowl of bright, spicy hummus, baklava made with peach, haloumi and pistachios, and a Tunisian tuna crudo. It all tasted amazing and was a far cry from my canned tuna and tomato slice lunches. A refreshing celery, gin & tonic (yes, it was green) capped a delicious, full day in NYC.

Photos (left to right): Beads inside Roxanne Assoulin studios; RW Guild glassware; Parcelle Wines and the Division Street cityscape.

Blog

Urban Explorations of Creativity & Craftsmanship