Sometimes, I absolutely feel like I’m living in a dream world and that one day, I’m going to wake up and it will all disappear. This fun life I get to live and the exciting things I get to experience with this job I have. I mean, it is a job….but it’s NOT, if you know what I mean. I never dreamed in a million years that I would get to do some of the things I have been privileged to take part in and go to places I never would have imagined. It truly is a wonderful life I live and I am still so grateful for it, every single day.
The trip to NY last week was hosted by Wayfair.com, the online company that I’ve been working with for the last couple of years. Wayfair is the parent company of Joss and Main and I’ve really enjoyed working with these brands a lot. They have so much to offer in home décor in the way of online shopping and it was such a pleasure to get to meet the folks behind the brand in person.
We stayed at the fabulous Smyth in Tribeca and it was a lovely hotel, in such a good location. I had to take a few pics of the cushy hotel room. Put me in a fancy hotel and I’m a happy girl. 
Beautiful marble tile on the walls, floor and everywhere.
I should have taken a pic inside the shower, it was all marble too.
Fresh from flying in, I met up with one of my long time blog friends, Melissa, from The Inspired Room. We had fun catching up for a couple of days. I know some of you are going to ask about my shoes. I put them on Instagram and my Facebook page the day I traveled and it was blowing up asking me what brand these shoes are. I copied my cool AL friend, Lucy, on these shoes, she had them on at Tybee Island and I decided I had to have them. too. They are Sam Edelman shoes, Becker in Leopard and I bought them online. They aren’t cheap and be forewarned, you have to break them in. I’m still breaking mine in after getting blisters on my feet the first time I wore them too long walking. But, aren’t they cute?
Oh, and that is the shower right behind me. It was an open shower with marble tile on the floor and frosted walls. Cool!
New York is an energizing place and it makes me giddy every time I visit this fast-paced urban city.
I still haven’t had a chance to spend as many days as I would like there, seeing everything and eating all the great food and taking in a few Broadway shows. One of these days, I’m going to stay longer and soak more of it in. Melissa and I had a quick pizza lunch and then went back to get ready for dinner. It was SO flippin’ cold this time in NY, they got a cold front coming in and it was freeeezing, along with high winds, so we did not walk as much as I wanted to or do as much as we had hoped to do. But we only had one full day and had to make the best of it.
So back to why I was there. I mean, it’s not often I get to have dinner at a posh and quintessentially NY apartment.
Who am I kidding?! How about never. That’s never been a part of my life, a dinner party at one of those fancy NYC apartments like you see in the movies.
But, this trip I did get to experience it first hand and what a treat it was!
A few bloggers were invited to their launch party for a new brand called Birch Lane, and the kick off was this memorable dinner at the home of Christiane Lemieux, founder of Dwell Studio. Dwell Studio is now a part of Wayfair and it was a real thrill to meet Christiane in person, the woman behind the brand. She’s a dynamo and so nice in person. She made us all feel completely at home in her beautiful apartment.
We took a really bad iphone shot together and I had my big camera with me to try to capture this gorgeous apartment. Christiane was so gracious and let us take all the photos we wanted. My mouth was agape the whole time! With low light, the photos are not top quality, but you can get an idea of how grand it is.
You should have seen Melissa and I coming into the building. It’s the traditional buzzer method of getting let in the front door from the street. We did that just fine and we walked in the building and were faced with this looooong set of stairs going straight up, so we proceeded to climb them, not really noticing the elevator on our right. Christiane came out about 5 minutes later and yoohooed us down the stairs and in the elevator, where we came out into this big spacious lovely apartment. That was too funny now that I think about it! We were giggling all the way.
Beautiful entry table inside the front door.
And her apartment is the ones you think about in NYC, with large picture windows overlooking the street and city lights. One big spacious room with pretty furnishings and a very cozy feel.
Just lovely!
Looking from the living area to the middle fireplace and that far wall with a library wall and dining table. Just breathtaking!
Middle fireplace.
And that library wall right next to the mega-seat dining table.
The kitchen had one of the biggest islands I’ve ever seen, covered in a super thick slab of marble.
We were served appetizers and drinks and chatted with all the Wayfair folks before dinner. It was so nice to put names with faces and meet the folks we have been working with.
The large back wall of the kitchen.
Appetizers are served!
Dinner guests mingling and chatting. Super fun space to see!
And then it was time for dinner.
This table reminded me so much of a Southern setting, a grand mahogany table filled with antique place settings, glasses, goblets, and silverware. Christiane is an immaculate hostess, with everything picture perfect. Check out that stunning chandelier too. She told us it came from the famed Brimfield Antiques market, which I think is in MA.
It was such a treat to sit at this table and enjoy a NYC skyline with dinner served and wonderful conversations.
I loved the table settings of candles, fresh roses and those antique candelabras. Gorgeous and breathtaking!
She had a dinner menu printed up for each place setting.
Another look at the table settings. Dinners like this are extra special.
First course salad is served.
It was an amazing treat to enjoy a dinner like this and it’s not one I’ll soon forget. I loved being in NYC again for just a couple of days and I’ll be back soon to show you the launch party and the wonderful new products that you will see from Birch Lane. I was really impressed with their wares and the new catalog, so be sure and check it out when you get a chance. I love window shopping in catalogs and dreaming of what I want to bring home and have been shopping in catalogs for years. You can order a catalog or shop online. I think you all might like this new brand, I sure do!
I’ll share lots more from NYC later, including a visit to Ground Zero 911 memorial and a visit to ABC Carpet and Home, always a treat!
Note: Wayfair sponsored this trip including airfare and hotel. All opinions and writing are all mine and I wasn’t asked to say anything in particular.
Rhoda,
What a marvelously fun opportunity! Being from a very rural area, I think I would be shellshocked in NYC, but it looks like you had a great time. As for Christiane Lemieux’s apartment, all I can say is WOW! I would usually think such a vast, open space would seem cold and impersonal, but she somehow managed to make it cozy and inviting. My mind immediately went to Downton Abbey when I saw that splendid table! Thanks for letting us experience your adventures vicariously!
I am obsessed with all things NYC and all I can say about that apartment is WOW WOW WOW! I just love it there. Visited in February and have another trip planned for June. Glad you had a fantastic trip.
I’m so glad you got to go do that! It’s really neat to me that blogging has given you these opportunities. You are always so gracious and you deserve your success!
I’m so thrilled for you!!
My husband and I hope to go to NYC for our anniversary. I’ve never been, but have always dreamed of walking down the streets and taking in all the sights.
I’m living vicariously through you when you take a trip. Enjoy, enjoy! What a blessing!
I’m so glad you enjoyed your NY trip Rhoda and were treated so graciously! It’s too bad Mother Nature hasn’t been very nice to us this year. It’s STILL cold and feels like Spring will never arrive.
Amazing! Such a beautiful apartment. This is the kind you see in magazines, but never think you will see in person. I am sure that we all envy you!!
Awesome! From the view, to the hotel to the apartment….it all looks like such an awesome time! The brand looks really nice, too. I can’t wait to see more of it and hear all about it.
Wow! What a gorgeous apartment! That’s definitely one of those things that you never in a million years think you will get to do!
Whoa, that is a GIANT New York apartment.
Looks like a fabulously fun time! I love NY… for a couple of days! Just checked out Birch Lane… it is wonderful! Lucky you… no make that blessed you!
What a fab experience. I did not realize Wayfair is the parent company of Joss & Main (which I love) and very excited about Birch Lane. I also love Dwell Studio, they have some of the most amazing bedding. I have one ordered and can’t wait for it to be back in stock. Christiane’s apartment is lovely. The entry console is stunning. The dining room chandy is to die for and yes, Brimfield is MA and I definitely want to go. I have wanted to for years. It have read and heard it is one of the best in the country. Lara Spencer loves it. The dinner looked wonderful and I’m sure it was divine.
You are indeed blessed Rhoda! Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us.
I loved all the pics, but really took note of the bathroom shots. I traveled in my work almost all the time (gets old!), and I always enjoyed checking out the space saving ideas, particularly in the bathrooms. Our home has three baths, two of which are tiny; and several of the things we’ve done reflect the space-saving tricks from all those hotel bathrooms. Thank you for sharing.
WOW!!!!
Rhoda, I started reading your blog when you were in Birmingham. I live in Montgomery so I loved some of your local trips, etc. I still enjoy reading your blog! I’m so happy for you about how well you’ve done and all the adventures you have. : )
Oh, wow, what a dream you live, Rhoda. I can only imagine how much fun that must have been. You go, girl! 🙂
Wow!! Loved the tour of the apartment, so glad you got to experience it and share with us!
Hello Rhoda.
I am so glad that you had a successful& happy trip to NYC.
In my former life I supplied Antigue Dealers / Interior Decorators & Designers / The Rich & Famous / and lots of other lovely people not in the Public Eye with lamps & lampshades.
Please imagine this scenario.. being sent to NYC from London by a Decorator to meet and talk a client about her new, very large apartment @ 1140 Fifth Avenue. The doorman handed me into the lift, whoosh up it went and the door opened in her lobby and there to meet me was one of America’s most beloved Actresses!
The naughty Decorator had not told me! All I had was her married name which meant not a thing to a ‘hick’ from London! When I had collected my jaw off the ground & she had stopped laughing at the look on my face, she said “Bad man.. he should have warned you!”
NYC light is totally different to the light in London and we had a lot of fun choosing colours & fabrics to go with the lamps that I was making for her. Happy trips.. your post reminded me of them, thank you. Sara.
Hi, Sara, oh I love that story!!! That would so be me too, in disbelief at meeting someone like that. Loved it!
That had to be a blast! I’ve always wanted to see New York. By the way you look like your sister in the photo where you are modeling your new shoes!
What a fantastic opportunity Rhoda, and you deserve all that you are receiving as a blogger myself, I understand the amount of work that goes into blogging and when you start getting back it is amazing and I am thrilled you have these opportunities.
Blogging in New Zealand is rather a new thing but thankfully I have started at the right time, so to speak and beginning to receive ‘local’ interest and a few opportunities myself. I am excited at the little things that are happening as like you it is a job but not a job. As yet mine is much a part time job but the effort I put into it is almost fulltime.
I am collaborating with an international company here soon and excited about what might arise out of it.
By the way, love your slippers, not surprised people commented.
Lee 🙂