Website updated and a NYC adventure

Who would believe that 22 "insta friends" could take time out from their busy lives, travel near and far from Virginia, DC, Boston and Australia, and spend a day together full of laughter and adventure in NYC! These ladies and one VERY charming gentleman responded to an open invitation from interior designer Jennifer Dengel,  via her Instagram post, to join her in NYC for an "insta meet". We didn't know each other yet as we strolled down Lexington Avenue, shopped, shared and, most importantly....LAUGHED! Jennifer Dengel, pictured above in the dark coat and sunglasses to the right of Tom, truly has the most fun and inspiring Instagram posts. You will be so happy you follow her @jendengelinteriors. She is enormously knowledgable about all things NYC, pops up in the most interesting of places and her comments convey her infectious sense of humor and superb, yet approachable point of view. Tom Samet, pictured above, is a talented and busy NYC designer. His Instagram posts @tomsamet humorously depict his interest in people, the Hamptons, NYC, Palm Beach and all things beautiful. I am sharing these 2 friends with you because I know you will be entertained, as all the ladies above are, enough to maybe join us on our next adventure. A must visit on your NYC shopping experience is the masculine jewel of a shop, Hadley Antiques. Tom Hadley is a sweetheart and his shop is FULL of silver, crystal, leather and all those luxe accessories that make us drool. Shopping the curated selection was worth our taking turns crowding the shop. Keep Hadley Antiques in mind for special gifts for Dad this Father's Day 1026 Lexington Avenue, NYC. After squeezing into a small lunch spot we landed at the 2016 Kips Bay Showhouse on East 61st Street. Although most of the designs are over the top there were useful examples to take away from each room. Timothy Whealons bedroom, above was dreamy. Beautiful textures. My pulse quickened with the natural crusty finish of this antique cabinet. A favorite room of many in our group was the guest room of Olasky and Sinsteden. I always love the contrast of old and new . The chinoiserie cabinet creates a timeless look. I would have used a modern lamp though. I know I know, unrealistic dining room, too fussy but the pieces in this room by Alex Papachristidis Interiors were gorg! That table base! ...Quartz! Bronze accent chair. The silk velvet sofa glowed! The gilded cocktail table with pearl inlay by Nancy Lorenz looked like liquid. Over 200 years old! Note.... Any one of these gorgeous pieces in this room would add importance and interest in a more toned down room. I felt that if a homeowner placed them all in the same room it would look as though they were trying too hard to impress. Venetian crystal chandelier.....anyone have a low ceiling but still want a stunner? Snowflake crystal pendants in the hallway! Favorite room by Sawyer Berson. Beautiful color palette! Great textures, available at GreatHouse, found in Suzanne Kastler's room. The antique fragment adds texture casually resting on a few books. In top right pic, the petrified wood slab adds an interesting layer underneath the art and the green glass adds that burst of color. After the showhouse visit we strolled down to the beautiful General Society Building of Mechanics and Tradesmen of NYC for a wonderful cocktail hour hosted by Jennifer. We are all so grateful to Jen for the care and courage it took to plan this day. The new meeting spot in NYC hanging outside Rockefeller Center..... Elmgreen and Dragset's 4 1/2 ton rendering of Van Gogh's ear!  Hysterical! Looks like a swimming pool and with summer coming was a welcome pleasing addition.  Thank you NYC public art committee. New friend Kim Faison's story was a great one. After initially regretting her "yes" response to joining the group from Virginia, it turned into one door after another opening for her. Jennifer told her that another participant was coming up from her area too and connected the both of them. The gracious southerner invited Kim to fly with them with her husband piloting the plane!  It just goes to show you when you put yourself out there and get out of your comfort zone great things can happen.    Hope you all have an adventurous day.....the store is FULL of great finds from my last 2 trips ....hope you stop by and share your days with us!     Warm regards,     Bonny Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay in touch about the latest happenings at GreatHouse and to be in the know about our super special flash sales you will not want to miss!   Please note delivery and shipping is available on all items EMAIL ME with any questions.     GreatHouse Bonny Neiman    p.973-714-4541  www.bonnyneiman.com   12 Beechwood Avenue | Summit, NJ Monday-Saturday 10:30-5:30