Between exciting partnerships on home goods collections, restaurant openings and more, these six new experiences are here to help New Yorkers live in the moment.
The Narrow Flower Vase by Ramona Albert
SHOP
Ramona Albert, renowned architect and founder of Brooklyn-based Ramona Albert Architecture P.C., has carried her talents into a new venture. Ramona Albert Design is a custom jewelry and home accessories line, utilizing the builder’s passion for sustainability and the natural environment. The brand’s debut collection, Connect With Nature, takes inspiration from flowers, shells and other outdoor specimens. Albert’s gold-plated centerpiece vases are modeled after the diverging spiral patterns in flowers. Other creatures of the forest are obvious sources of influence in the designer’s jewelry. Her rings’ and bracelets’ delicate forms mimic the wings of a butterfly, while the cuffs and bands in the Shell collection feature spherical grooves highly reminiscent of their maritime muses. Each design in the line was first modeled digitally, followed by 3D printing, emulating an intricate creation process akin to those of wildlife organisms.
Confections from Angelina Paris
SIP
Enjoy breakfast like Coco Chanel and Marcel Proust at Angelina Paris’ first U.S. location on Sixth Avenue. The age-old French tearoom and pastry house serves its famous L’Africain hot chocolate, as well as its signature Mont-Blanc pastry, fashioned from French meringue, Chantilly cream and chestnut vermicelli. The patisserie’s confections are also available to go. Take home a fresh-made sandwich, cold beverage or coffee, or gift a gianduja spread cream, mixed tea set or box of chocolates for the ultimate sweet treat. New Yorkers in particular have an appetite for Parisian confections, Angelina Paris New York COO Anthony Battaglia noted in a press release. “We are eager to open our doors safely and welcome American consumers in to enjoy the sophisticated and charming dining and shopping experience of Angelina Paris in the heart of Manhattan,” he says. 1050 Sixth Ave.
SAVOR
At The Dolar Shop, the sentiment that good things take time is present throughout every aspect of the dining experience. In December, the international hot pot chain opened its first U.S. flagship store at 25% capacity in the East Village. Customers get personal pots of steaming broth, veggies and a choice of protein or plant-based Impossible Meat. The chain’s bestselling broth is the silver broth, which uses 100 pounds of ingredients for each batch and undergoes an eight-hour simmering process. Another staple is the shrimp pate, comprised of Vietnamese shrimp handpounded 200 times into a paste. In order to be certified to make the pate, chefs are required to go through 4,000 hours of training. The dedication to quality doesn’t end there—even the restaurant’s playlist is arranged so that it incorporates specific global elements at certain times of the day, accelerating throughout the afternoon and reaching a high-energy peak at 9PM. 5 Third Ave.
SOOTHE
In January, Hydra Studios opened its first stand-alone flagship location on Wall Street, designed to help New York’s busy workforce destress in a safe, private environment. Upon entering the soothing, sparsely decorated studio, clients can use their reserved suites to relax, meditate or exercise. The suites are cleaned before and after each session and equipped with HEPA air filters and antimicrobial surfaces. Spaces that are normally communal—steam rooms, an infrared sauna, vanity stations featuring sustainably made products—are still accessible and kept sanitized, with capacity monitored in accordance with CDC guidelines. But for those used to working out at home, Hydra Studios continues to provide a substantial library of streamable fitness classes on demand, accessible through the website’s member portal. 120 Wall St.
Firewood and spice candle from Ikea
SMELL
A limited-edition collection titled Osynlig of 13 candles launched in November, signifying a new partnership between Ikea and Byredo founder Ben Gorham. Now, get ready for the release of the line’s final three fragrances, Swedish birch and juniper, cassis and freesia, and firewood and spice, all available online and at Ikea stores. These additions will join an already decadent selection of aromas meant to induce a wide range of emotions. Osynlig, the Swedish word for “invisible,” is Ikea and Gorham’s way of conveying the idea that smell is an unseen yet vital component of home life. Gorham believes that scent creates comfort within a space. Consequently, this collection aims to uphold the idea that everyone has a unique relationship with the smells in his or her life. 999 Third Ave.
Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Sheila Bridges
SPRUCE
The Shade Store is collaborating with two established interior designers on exclusive new collections. Although the brand’s main objective is to streamline the window treatment experience, it is also known for its designer partnerships, working with creative individuals and brands on new concepts. Martyn Lawrence Bullard and New York-based Sheila Bridges will bring their expertise and aesthetics to collections that are modern, functional and luxurious. Bridges’ line launched in January, while Bullard’s is set to hit stores in March. Both collections will be available online, as well as in The Shade Store’s showroom. 225 E. 59th St.
Photography by: Ramona Albert, Angelina Paris, The Dollar Shop photos courtesy of brand; HYDRA PHOTO BY MARIE LOMBARDO/COURTESY OF HYDRA STUDIOS; IKEA PHOTO COURTESY OF INTER IKEA SYSTEMS B.V.
