A Note from Lauren

In Manhattan and up for a morning walk. This time from Andaz Hotel(One of my new favorites on 5th and 41st) to the Duane Read for nail polish remover. Fast paced walk, but to my left on Madison I see a lovely limestone building with manicured boxwoods in front. I cross the street and am pleasantly surprised to see it is The Morgan’s Hotel designed by Andrea Putman. Walking in I see the lobby is as lovely as always, classic contemporary yet rich with elegance as Ms. Putman did with such grace. This is where my love of black, white and gray began as well as my love of glass walls and my infatuation with Putman’s style.Just past Morgan’s I notice another beauty I had forgotten about. The Pierpont Morgan Library. An elegant modernist glass and steel box connects a handsome curvaceous brownstone and a classic Beaux-arts Limestone. Warm, lovely, engaging contemporary. It was early and closed so I did not go in, but I paused long enough to remember 25 years ago when The Morgans Hotel opened I was a young designer and was privileged to stay there – I felt so “in the know”, but I never dreamed I would be one day designing for the Morgan’s Hotel Group. I just finished the new restaurant, “Hudson Commons” at The Hudson. Check out the Austrian LACE shades behind the bar! 365 W 58th St, NYC.