I could probably fill 8000 posts with all the things I learned on my very first trip to New York, but I’m going to attempt restraint and instead keep it to two whopping action packed posts filled with sucky pictures of ABC Home taken by my camera phone. What? You didn’t think I was going to walk around New Freaking York with a giant camera penis hung around my neck did you? I knew you would understand that vanity trumps veracity every time. Let’s do this.
1) New Yorkers get a bad rap, and may actually be the nicest people on earth.
I had kind of braced myself to land in Grand Asshole Station, but New Yorkers proved themselves to be unfailingly friendly, helpful and generous (if a little strangely accented, y’all). Never once did they call me out for being from Texas — in fact I met many folks who had just moved up there from Austin. And you can bet that when I win the lottery, I’m moving there, too.
2) The W at Union Square rocks.
Part of the view from our window.
We got a screaming deal on a room, and they double upgraded us to a top floor. For nothing. Plus the location was awesome — subway to midtown, easy walk to the East Village. And sitting in Union Square at 3 am drinking a 6 pack of $14 beer (I didn’t say NY was cheap) reminded me a lot of hanging out in the town squares of Italy.
3) Oxfords. It’s a state of being. Feel it.
If you are short like me, you will get these in a fleshy color and wear them with summer dresses.
4) Speaking of shoes, Sleep No More = Heels No More
Sleep No More combines the plot of MacBeth with the style and voyeurism of Vertigo, Twin Peaks, and Eyes Wide Shut. I can’t even begin to tell you how utterly incredible this play/dance/hallucinatory experience was. If you will be anywhere near NY and can scrounge up $85 (even I could, and I am cheap), RUN to see this show. Just don’t wear heels or you will be very very sorry.
5) The Grammercy Hotel bar could have better service.
I blogged this hotel years ago, so I was pretty stoked to have a drink and ogle the art here (and the art was fantastic — current offerings include Marilyn Minter and Damien Hirst). I was not stoked to pay $50 for two drinks at a very crowded bar, but whatever. It’s New York. I was downright pissed to be told that we couldn’t sit at a table (that we were already sitting at) because we had bought our drinks at the bar two feet from the table. Don’t worry — I didn’t let it ruin my night, and that drink was totally worth $22. Wheeeeeeeee!
6) ABC Home and Carpet is where Jesus lives. And Yahweh, Allah, Buddha, Krishna, plus some other gods I am unfamiliar with.
Oh my god. ZOMG. This place is a wonderland for people like us. It’s in an amazing old building that has been in the family for over a century, and it houses 6 floors of the most incredible decor and furnishings in the universe. I went a little nutty with the pictures, so sorry in advance.
Woven nylon chairs fit for a king (or Karly).
Their displays are hard to photograph, but they make Anthropologie look like a bunch of no account suckers.
Wood wood wood. Say it with me!
Hard to see, but these rugs were textured — parts were burn out, part were unshaven wool. Amazing.
A bench made from recycled metallic plastic. Genius!
For all your mid mod lovers. The prices were ASTRONOMICAL.
Did I mention the displays? This was on the “Economical” floor. Hahahahaahha!
Ok, so this place was filled with the most amazing lighting — Ponti, Venini, Vistosi, Sciolari (lots of Italians up in here), but that Sarfatti chandelier was like the bitch that walks in and steals all the guys. All the other chandeliers hate her.
And here my camera phone failed miserably to record the spectacularless of this spectacle. Namely, a whole lot of bestiality is going down on the kid’s floor. Those animals were all up in each other’s business. I don’t know, people. Seeing this changed me. Maybe not for the better.
7) ABC Home and Carpet is also where Satan lives.
Owww, my eyes! It burns!
Ok, friends, that’s it for today’s tour of my tour of New York City. I think we can agree that this post will be long enough to tide you over until Monday, when I shall return with Part Deux of my trip. We will cover the Met, clubbin,’ NYisms, and some sad stuff.
Until then, I will be enjoying a little staycay with my Hunny and the kidlet. Have a great weekend!
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oh Erin! i’m super jealous but happy you are sharing your trip with us! abc is one of those places i dream of going to & to think you also met Jesus, Yahweh, Allah, Buddha, Krishna, etc. there… amazing!
also, love those oxfords. i might be sporting some if i ever see you around austin!
I lived in NYC for 12 years, but have not been back since I moved away 2 years ago. I’m visiting next month and your post just added to my excitement about revisiting ABC.
Thanks!
Heather
yes it is totally where the gods were born and live to this day.
were like me, heavy in heart and soul when you had to walk out of that place????
love the shoes!
were *you* like me…
Can’t wait for part 2. I’d be pissed about the bar/table bit too, but it’s not surprising. I hope you were at least granted a wicked buzz.
Yeah, I probably shouldn’t be a complainer…
Heather, I’m super jellz. Take me with you!
Anita, sadness was the word for the day.
Leah, bring it! We’ll be twinkies.
Ha, you couldn’t visit NY without going to ABC! Repeat visits have made me more depressed by its expensiveness than awed by its fabulousness and I mostly just visit the Conran Shop in the basement now. But you have shamed me into going upstairs again!
loved the recap! I refuse to drink at any of those type bars, way too expensive. But I guess you need to do it at least once.
And ABC is fab. Aren’t those rugs amazing??? I love this one vintage shop that’s tucked into one of the floors. I’m spacing on the name (strep brain) but they sell on 1stdibs and always have the most delicious casegoods.
Have a great weekend with your boys! I’m curious to here your thoughts on the Met. You know I’ve never been. So embarrassing.
Oh, I so loved living vicariously. I can’t believe this was your first time in NYC. You definitely covered some fabulous territory. There is no place I love more than New York.. My husband’s family lives in Brooklyn and we used to go multiple times a year BK (before kids). Now it is not nearly as often as I like, but the experience is unparalleled. It’s magical.
That is a clusterfuck of awesome furniture! Thanks for the photos.
“Giant camera penis around my neck” — words I may never get out of my head. Ever.
We lived two blocks from here for about six years. Why did I move away???!!! Oh yeah, no way I would raise my daughter in that POS* 600 sq ft third floor walk up that cost more than our beautiful house near our families in KY.
Thanks for the pics.
*POS = piece of s#it.
I HEART ABC Carpet & Home!!! Yes! The god’s all live there. *sigh* glad you had fun!!
Yay!!! I was worried that you girls hadn’t gone for long enough and wouldn’t get to do as much as you should, looks like you proved me wrong. A+!
Just found your site- late to the party- but really enjoying your posts. Thanks!
YAY for NYC. And hells ya to the nice part?? right! So many ppl were nice. Minus that cabbies. Oy, they were not nice- to me and my husb anyhow haha.. ABC is where all the gods live. The gods with money especially. Shoot! Wish we were there together! SO FUN!
(And I could swear your camera phone took way better pics than mine!.. well you are a photographera.)
Oh yay! So glad to hear it was a successful trip. Where are the pics of you wearing your foam Statue of Liberty head?
I’ve never had a single unfriendly encounter in NYC. Some people, especially from the south (where I’m from), love to perpetuate the myth that New Yorkers are un-nice. And I’ve never made a trip there that I didn’t have lunch and shop at ABC Home and the Las Venus outpost inside for mid cen inspiration. However, now that 1stdibs has gone brick & mortar at NYDC, I think it will be the new place that I troll where I can’t afford anything!
i enjoyed this post immensely.
Glad to learn that you enjoyed my beloved City. New Yorkers are good folks!
So sorry I didn’t get to see you while you were here… my poor honey needed lots of TLC from his surgery.
NEXT TIME!!?!?!!
Love this post! I love living in NY and you have covered a lot in this post. You have done things that I’ve never done – since I’m a new yorker. NO W stays and no Grammercy Bar – it’s just TOO expensive.
But I frequently visit ABC, it’s a home away from home! And now my office is just a few blocks away!!
Can’t wait to read more!
Hello and welcome, Lauren. The W was actually very reasonable (in relative NY terms), but the Grammercy Bar was INSANE. Super jelz that your office is so close to ABC; please tell them Hi for me when you next visit!
Love this: “that Sarfatti chandelier was like the bitch that walks in and steals all the guys. All the other chandeliers hate her.”
This kind of inspires me to try to pull of just ONE NIGHT of being THAT GIRL. I’m usually more like ‘I’m not going to steal the hostess’s thunder’ or ‘I’d rather not call TOO much attention to myself’ (considering the kinds of clothes I am drawn to, I could create some spectacles.) But I’m not sure I quite have the ‘face’ for that, but there is always contouring, roight?
I just might try to check out this Lynchian perambulatory experience you speak of, how awesome!
BTW I didn’t know Satan was an Anglophile!
I visited ABC home a few years ago & its my NYC regret that I didnt get wonder around it long enough or even to each floor. Just makes me determined to go back!
the thought of all those floors of eye candy is enough to make me endure the 15 hour flight to LA + 7 hour flight to NYC in cattle class! Im a coming NYC!