Manhattan as My Design Muse: Finding Inspiration in the City That Never Sleeps

New York City… that city that never sleeps! It’s a place that truly lives up to its reputation in more ways than one. 

It’s known as one of the design capitals of the world and I felt so inspired when I visited back in October. From the beautiful brownstones that lined each block to the impeccable designs outlining each building… It felt like a dream. Despite the hustle and bustle, New York is a beautiful city where beauty lies around every corner. It’s a place where it feels like the possibilities are endless. 

While this was not my first time visiting New York, it was my first time visiting and being able to experience the design side of New York. I visited so many different showrooms and even got a chance to stop into one of my favorites, deVol Kitchens. 

I love how their brand focuses on the English cottage feel and it felt the same exact way walking into their store. I am always on the hunt for unique pieces for my clients’ homes so it was amazing to be able to experience this in person. 

Early mornings in New York are busy… but my day in New York started with a quick workout at (F45) and then I was off to explore. My main goal was to stop in showrooms and network as much as I could because having clients in New York would be a dream!!

As I walked the streets, I took notice of everything. The black iron railings outside of Brownstones. The large, floor-to-ceiling windows, the concrete sidewalks… there was something to note in each of these. I also loved that nothing looked the same. While Brownstones are well-known because of their style, they all had a unique element, maybe it was the color of their doors or a flower pot placed on the stoop… that’s the best part of the city, no matter how much everything may seem the same, beneath the surface, it’s the details that matter.  

One of my favorite visits, during my trip, was to the Nicky Kehoe showroom. The showroom has another location in Los Angeles and is known for their craftsmanship, custom made furniture, lighting, wallpaper and accessories alongside an expertly curated selection of globally sourced vintage, fine art, ceramics and one-of-a-kind home accessories. 

The second floor was what impressed me the most. I have always been a fan of how buildings in New York are designed. Walking into the second floor, I was greeted by beautiful artwork, crown molding along the ceiling and wall corners… It was breathtaking. They also had the walls painted in a beautiful soft mint green with a crystal chandelier in the center of the room. All of these details were so beautiful and I was impressed by the amount of detail that goes into creating spaces like these. 

Of course, I couldn’t visit New York without stepping into some of their luxury stores like Tiffany and Co. or Chanel. Even these stores all had such unique interiors and I loved how they were all so different and fit exactly what you imagined the brand to be. Tiffany was bright and open but it felt luxurious- they even had a special room that featured the dresses Audrey Hepburn wore in the movie, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,”! Chanel felt more dark and moody but it fit the brand perfectly, highlighting their iconic bags and shoes. It really brought attention to their products while still highlighting the essence of the brand.

Walking around the city, it’s hard to take everything in all at once but I encourage you to take a look around. Look at all the buildings and also look up and take in the skyline, the tall buildings and lights are unmatched and if you don’t take a second to take it in, you might miss its beauty.