Wow, that title sounded very good. Of course the reality is not as glamorous, but if I was in the mood for reality I'd be watching CNN at the moment. I've said it again, happiness is the enemy of the blog. My blog is so much more interesting when I have something to vent about. I was realizing this as i bask in my joy of our impending summer in New York.
My husband is in New York already until school end and we're able to meet him there. The apartment he found for us could not be in a better location, very close to NYU where the kids will be having their summer camps. I understand it's smallish and decorated in a very corporate way. But what do i care, it's in MANHATTAN! IN NEW YORK CITY. I would live in a rat hole for the privilege of walking to the Village and the Hudson river.
Oh but wait.. here are the pictures he sent me:
Yeah, right, blahhrh
Booooooh-ring.
Okay, the kitchen is cool. Better than mine. But have these people ever heard of aquamarine, lime, fushia and teal? have they even heard words such as LACE and FROU FROU?
Not hideous, that apartment, but sadly lacking in the pezzaz (spelling?) department.
So here is my idea: spend a few bucks at Pearl River in Soho. Here is my selection.
The lanterns are $45 each but I was going to buy them anyway. I already own one and it's one of my most prized possessions.
The kites are large and great to hide white walls and are about $15 each. They're not as gorgeous as the one from Petit Pan but they will do.
Extra seating and extra touches of color for under $20 each.
These, of course, because there is a je ne sais quoi that is particularly hideous about them. $2.50 each, come on, how could i resist.
The tea tin cans cost 2.50 each and if you ask me they're alone are worth the trip to New York so that I can complet my collection. They'd be great to color the kitchen a bit. They are, incidentally, filled with delicious tea.
Some one will be drinking a lot of tea.
$31 and great colors.
For the bedrooms:
Egad! A lotus lamp! ...but I want it. $6.00
...and the bed spread to go with the lamp.
Oh and what the heck. Something that cost under $5 and can extend to 75 inches? how could i say no.
and a few more lanterns that cost $10 each.
Okay, I'm done for now. I spent about 300 virtual dollars, the cost of a single pillow case at some nyc stores. If you have ideas of other places to go to for cheap deco stuff, please tell me.
I'm sure there's a flower vendor near by for fresh colorful flowers every other day.
Posted by: shelly beson | June 09, 2009 at 02:52 PM
Well the condo could be worse, right!?!?! But you're right, not so high on the personality! I just LOVE Pearl River! Have fun, fun, fun shopping there!
Posted by: Jill | June 09, 2009 at 02:54 PM
You've done a good job.
Remember flowers too. and twinkle lights.
Posted by: Hazel | June 09, 2009 at 02:57 PM
don't forget some pillows and flowers!! so far so good and very well, pizzazed! what a fun adventure.
Posted by: my favorite and my best | June 09, 2009 at 03:51 PM
I think it's a great selection - well done!! I love the lanterns, I have been looking everywhere nd still can't find them yet..i know what you mean about clinical-corporate looking city flats ...when I first moved in London I tought they all look the same with their beige-grey colour palette {from the carpet to the paint...}but hey, it will look great after your colourful touches!!!
Posted by: Caterina | June 09, 2009 at 05:39 PM
Don't I owe you a painting?! That could help put some cheer and color in that bleige flat- right? It's possible that I could deliver it to you in person this summer at a downtown cafe---?!?!
GK
Posted by: Gretchen | June 09, 2009 at 06:01 PM
buy a length of canvas and some small cheap set of acrylic paint and have entire family paint something that they want to see in NYC or are going to do or what they miss about LA and hang. lovely momento for your return to LA. I'm going to love your NYC Summer blog!
Posted by: susan | June 09, 2009 at 06:08 PM
Looks like it will be New-York outside and Shangai inside....
I am BEGGING you to bring back that pink tea tin can and the orange round lantern for me, pleeeeeeaze!!
Posted by: Isabelle | June 09, 2009 at 08:52 PM
Ooh, suddenly I must have some of those items for the baby's room! Already have lanterns (though none that beautiful) and parasols left over from our wedding, but I'm drooling over those kites as cheap wall art.
P.S. Tonight we were in a restaurant that had a grouping of 5-6 parasols hung upside down from the ceiling, and they looked arty and not at all strange. (I had considered doing it with a wedding parasol, but feared it would look funny. Now I think the key is having 3 or more. And of course the high ceilings to pull it off!)
Posted by: Two Wishes | June 09, 2009 at 08:57 PM
summer in manhattan? you're so lucky!
yes, the apartment is a bit "meh." it needs a shot or two from the Rice catalogue. or maybe your kids could attack the neutral sofa with some colorful markers (i'm one of the people that liked that experiment.) :)
Posted by: josephine | June 09, 2009 at 10:34 PM
As you say "Hideous" but not exactly riveting!!! I am sure you will find ways of brightening things up....There could of been worse places. If I have to go anywhere, like holidays I always choose. As you say LOCATION is great, could of been worse....Have lots of fun!
Posted by: anne | June 10, 2009 at 01:20 AM
I want to see the after photos.
It really sounds great!!!!!
Posted by: karina | June 10, 2009 at 04:04 AM
Umm...can you get me one of those red folding chairs kthxbye.
:p
Posted by: muralimanohar | June 10, 2009 at 04:59 AM
Oh, how fun! You'll have that beige box jazzed up in no time :)
Posted by: beki | June 10, 2009 at 06:38 AM
How fun! You will have such a great summer.
And I know you will spice this place up in no time. Make sure to take lots of pictures and show us!
Posted by: Nikella | June 10, 2009 at 06:40 AM
et quand tu auras tout accessoirise, on pourra venir passer une semaine en aout ??
Posted by: TheYoupiTouch | June 10, 2009 at 07:00 AM
love your selections. i adore pearl river mart. and it's prices. 80% of the bowls in my house are from there. also great that muji and cb2 are right nearby now. fun fun fun.
Posted by: gretchen | June 10, 2009 at 10:35 AM
I so need to shop with you. I always pick the blah and the beige and the safe. I am so afraid of making a costly mistake. You have shown here that you can up the ooh-la-la for not much Yen.
Posted by: La Belette Rouge | June 10, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Your flat will look really fab - love these choices and I would adore a visit to that shop...have fun buying when you get there, xv.
Posted by: Vicki Archer | June 10, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Bit boring - but are you really going to spend time indoors when you've got the whole of Manhattan on your threshold? Lucky girl - I've been there twice and I can't wait to return!
The stuff you've picked is great though - especially the lanterns!
Posted by: The Deco Detective | June 11, 2009 at 02:53 AM
Great ideas you have!! I can't wait to see how you jazz up the apartment. There's nothing like color from Chinatown to add pizazz to a space.
Posted by: Grace@PoeticHome | June 16, 2009 at 06:24 PM
oh lucky you. jazz it up with fresh cut flowers and thrift store goodness.
and hahahahaha, we have a different meaning for the word FROU FROU. can you guess what it is?
Posted by: nath | June 18, 2009 at 01:29 AM
I want to say I have a flat in NYC!!!
Posted by: Fifi Flowers | June 18, 2009 at 10:29 PM