rook Street is one of the latest collections from Ralph Lauren Home. While, I suppose a woman could feel comfortable here on a permanent basis (maybe add a throw pillow or two for a splash of color), this is an absolute perfect retreat for any eligible bachelor. It's definitely a throwback to old Hollywood, (not unlike his Bel-Air collection from a few years back) offering an unrefuted masculine and timeless elegance. I've always wanted to live in a space large enough to be afforded a sitting area within my bedroom. How wonderful would it be to have the edginess of the crocodile-embossed bureau neighboring a leather Chesterfield (my favorite) accented with a fur throw, as shown below; a true juxtaposition of hardness and softness, at their very best. Even though my bedroom suite is only a couple of years old, I suspect that it cannot possibly hurt to add a few of these pieces to my Christmas Wish List. Oh, who am I kidding? Come Holiday, I'd be quite content to just receive a new set of linens from this collection. Brook Street: "Scenes from a collection..." (All images and video via Polo.com)
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erfectly situated directly across the street from its imposing brethren, the Rhinelander Mansion's Mens' Store, sits the much anticipated and recently opened Ralph Lauren Women & Home Flagship store. There is something wonderfully enchanting, I'm certain for both men and women, about entering a Ralph Lauren store. While the department/specialty in-store boutiques are always luxuriously presented, it is the uncommon extravagance of the freestanding stores that expressly appeal to one's sartorial sensibilities. This is one such store. From the winding staircase, reminiscent of Coco Chanel's famous staircase in her Paris atelier, to the multiple shopping floors and the feel-right-at-home ambiance (albeit, an intoxicatingly chic home), this 22,0000-sq.-ft, Beaux Arts mini-palace is classic elegance, bar none. How terribly convenient will it now be for a gentleman to do his shopping at the manse and then traipse across Madison Avenue to shop for the ladies in his life; everything from shoes and jewelry to lingerie, eveningwear and linens. Only a walking bridge (or better yet, a ricksha or hansom cab) could make this quick jaunt less cumbersome. Oh, but once you've made the journey and entered the ladies' seductive lair... Lord of the Manor... RALPH LAUREN WOMEN & HOME 888 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10021 212-606-2100 Sun: 12-5 Mon-Wed: 10-6 Thur: 10-7 Fri & Sat:10-6 I recently came upon this quote by Thoreau and was reminded of RL: "There have been heroes for whom this world seemed expressly prepared, as if creation had at last succeeded; whose daily life was the stuff of which our dreams are made, and whose presence enhanced the beauty and ampleness of Nature herself." Henry David Thoreau As soon as I saw the October cover of ELLE Decor today, which featured the Manhattan penthouse of Ralph & Ricky Lauren, I felt certain that it was going to be a great issue. It was. The Lauren's newly renovated space, transformed by interior designer Angelo Donghia, is definitely a departure from what we're used to seeing from Ralph Lauren. While I do prefer the densely styled look that he usually offers us, this clean-lined, opened spaced design was refreshing in all of its subdued opulence. We've come to know fellow Bronx native and fashion designer, Calvin Klein, for his minimalistic design style, but not Ralph Lauren. Nonetheless, one can still see and absolutely appreciate the Ralph Lauren clean-lined aesthetic in his chic, pared down 5th Avenue environ. "No, not there... ...please, have a seat here instead." After being laid off from my job in the mortgage industry, I realized that this was an opportunity to revamp my life and my surroundings. I got rid of EVERYTHING in my apartment and decided to start anew. Little did I know that it would take more than a year to complete this little renewal project. I recently found two of these club chairs (brand new) at an outlet store near Pasadena, CA. I purchased them both for only $400.00. I found out shortly thereafter that they were still being sold a major retailer for the original price of $700.00 a piece. (Trust me, it's all about the art of the deal for me.) As you can see in the first image, they were covered in a fabric that even your grandmother would hate. After two weeks of searching, I finally found the perfect fabric in a men's suiting ($28/yd x 13 yds) at Diamond Foam & Fabric on La Brea in Los Angeles and had them recovered by my upholsterer, for only $275.00 per chair. It pays to shop around, because Diamond Fabric was charging nearly $600.00/chair to re-upholster. End result: Two custom club chairs for under $1300.00. Since, I'm going for a B&W, New York Penthouse-inspired look, these chairs are perfectly suited. Just a couple of more small pieces to add and I should be completely done in the next couple of weeks. I hope! An artist's rendition... ...of the beauty to come. Opened this past April, Ralph Lauren's latest addition to his vast empire, at 173 Saint Germain in Paris, is stunning. While I've only seen pictures of this rather grand store from his website, I've feel as if I've been there. (Without the transatlantic flight and jet lag, of course.) The wooden-framed elevator is more than magnificent, but given the opportunity to ascend the marble staircase could easily leave one with the first of many tough decisions to be made on a visit to the store. One good thing of about Mr. Lauren's store is how each department is beautifully boutiqued; each room executed in a particular clothing line, e.g. Purple label, Black Label, Blue Label, et al, along with that line's accessories. You can quite believably spend hours in just one locale. (Well, I could, at least - and often too have.) After a long day of shopping, what better way to unwind than with a cocktail (and lunch) at Ralph's, The Restaurant. An American In Paris... |
SOPHISTICATED SITES:
Architectural Digest Elle Decor Esquire GQ Interiors Magazine Polo Ralph Lauren The Rake Vanity Fair N.D. Harrington
I was born in the country, but brought up in the big city, with hopes of always maintaining the charm, wit and character of a southern, sophisticated gentleman. In my goal to live more passionately & purposefully, here are just a few things that I've learned and experienced along the way, making my journey more interesting, and more importantly, easier. Categories:
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