a new member of our household

: : a dining table to me is the heart of a home. this is where we enjoy meals together, do our work, entertain with our friends, go through the day's events over tea & coffee....it's the central piece of our home. for months we lived with my old desk as our dining table, searching and searching for the perfect table to replace it. now, finally we have found it. we'll we didn't find it, we found .jon. at .rochdale table company. and he made it for us. custom made to fit our space and personal preferences, we couldn't be more happy with our choice.

.jon. makes tables and benches using wood from old New England barns. the wood for our table comes from a barn in Orange, MA. the barn was built in 1850, and .jon. told me he can tell that the trees must have been 100 years old. that means that the trees were standing when George Washington was alive. it's so wonderful to have a piece of furniture with a story and so much character.

the mustard yellow eames chairs we found on craigslist in philly.
the .silicone table cloth. was a birthday present from my brother and sister, comes from Swedish .wisdesign.
the prints on the wall are my own design. customized color combinations based on kurbits patterns I have shared in .earlier posts.
the breadbasket and teak tray were my grandmothers.

The Only Russian Tea Room In NYC

Before heading to The Russian Tea Room, perhaps a bit of food for the heart and soul.

The Carnegie is next door.

The City. I love the contrast , constant contrast, and beautifully choreographed.

I can't help showing so many awning shots, I get all excited with anticipation.

This shot shows what it really looks like at night, when the lights are lowered.

The Russian Tea Room is such a spectacular place. If you go to NYC, and are with anyone you want to show a good time, take them there.

I promise they will never get it out of the heads. It will be permanently filed on their ' Chip '.

I took my daughter there when she was about 6 years old and we had brunch.

We were both dressed up and she was consciously testing her very best table manners.

The waiters were so lovely, and needless to say the presentation of the meal was elegant & amazing to a little girl from Boca Raton.

It was such a memory for me as well.

She will never be that same innocent, beautiful, big eyed little girl again.

We were both so happy that day, we were all smiles, hugs and kisses.

Unfortunately, sometimes money can buy happiness and on that day

The Russian Tea Room contributed to it greatly.

When I was little my parents took me there...........it was nothing like this.

It was a landmark of course, and they did take me.

But I remember it being done in the dark maroon-ish reds. It was dark and dingy feeling.

It really does look like this.

The ceiling is gold leafed. They spent something like 6 million dollars on the interiors the last time they restored it. ( within the last 15 years or so )

Seriously, try to get there.

Especially if you have an innocent, big eyed , beautiful little 6 yr old girl .

The Russian Tea Room NYC: http://www.russiantearoomnyc.com/

( enlarge any picture for more info and a closer look )

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design