Inside the Rooms of Children's Books

We have been blessed with glorious days here in New York. 72 degrees and no clouds at all this weekend. I headed for the park, of course, and proceeded to do something I've always wanted to do: go rowing on the pond. Turns out, it was not only affordable, but BLISSFUL. I went with my pal Michael who rowed the entire time. We were both so inspired by this that we decided on a whim to do something else neither of us had done: Go to Bemelmans' Bar at the Carlyle Hotel.

I think I have found a new way to be happy.


For those of you who know the beautiful children's books of Ludwig Bemelmans, like Madeline, you would appreciate this room covered in murals painted by Bemelmans in 1947. The entire circle of the room is Central Park in all its seasons animated with all Bemelmans' characters, including Madeline. The ceiling is painted in a gold leaf and all the lamps are also hand painted by Bemelmans. I could feel every cell of my body gather and hum as I sat in this gold storybook room. I think I have spent my entire life wanting to inhabit the rooms of the children's books I loved as a kid and this is the closest I have come.

Apparently, Jackie Onassis was a regular here and when she found out that they were going to remodel it into just another Upper East Side Bar, she raised a fuss and saved it from certain death. She also was crucial in saving Grand Central Station too, and THANK GOODNESS. Both these places are beautiful and timeless and like no place else in my opinion. Jackie O had phenomenal taste--who KNEW right? (Just kidding folks.)

I know I will return there to write. I just have to. The existence of such a place is to remind me that magic isn't far away in this town. If I need any inspiration, all I have to do is get on a subway and head up town.