Designer and Bravo host Taylor Spellman on Favorite New York Addresses

                                                        Taylor Spellman

Interior designer and staging expert Taylor Spellman, co-host of the Bravo series “Yours, Mine or Ours” with real estate agent Reza Farahan, regularly appears on television as an entertaining and lifestyle expert. 

Where are you from?

In Wethersfield, the oldest town in Connecticut. It was an amazing place to grow up and is quite charming with houses dating back to the 1600s.

 How long have you been in New York?

Since my freshman year of college to study at Alvin Ailey. I never looked back. 

Describe your design style:

Colorful, vibrant and direct.  Bold, livable designs are my passion.

 Biggest design influences:

The original Domino book, New York City, Iris Apfel, Jenna Lyons and a hearty glass of good cabernet. 

Favorite city neighborhood: 

I currently live in SoHo and love it for its balance of being a funky neighborhood and one of the top tourist destinations in the world.  The mix of the regulars I see at my favorite bars and restaurants, combined with tourists from all parts of the globe, make it the quintessential New York experience. 

Favorite restaurant: 

Balthazar as it is a New York institution and it never disappoints. 

Best French restaurant:

Cocotte in SoHo and not just because it is on my street. The duck confit and foie gras are to DIE for!   

Best Italian restaurant: 

My favorite after a long day, or any day for that matter, is Lupa.  The classic simplicity of the bavette cacio e pepe makes my day every single time. 

Favorite New York dessert: 

Meme Mediterranean in Hell’s Kitchen and the West Village have tiramisu that is out of this world!

Favorite spot for cocktails: 

Edi and the Wolf in the East Village.  A dear old friend owns it and it is my favorite place to eat, drink and be merry.

Night on the town favorites:

Rose Bar

Best for Sunday brunch:

The Dutch!  The menu has a little something for everyone and you can’t beat their French fries, raw bar and, of course, rose.

The wine you like to order most:

My go-to wine, at home or out and about, is Franciscan Cabernet.

Best place for a power business lunch: 

What’s lunch?  I’m kidding (I think). On the rare day I get to take time for lunch, the place to power it up is at New York staple, Ciprinai.

If you have out-of-town guests, which hotel would you recommend? 

 The SoHo Grand. 

Favorite retail store or showrooms for design items:

Robert Allen Showroom and Lillian August make my business, and my world, go round.

Favorite antiques stores:

My favorite place to find treasures is honestly, Goodwill.  There are so many hidden gems there and I love repurposing items that are often time priceless. Though I also absolutely love Cafiero Select.

Favorite stores for lighting:

Lindsey Adelman Lighting has so many unique fixtures that fit any project. 

Favorite store/resources for rugs:

ABC Home and Carpet.  They are the best.

Favorite clothing stores:

I can always find something at Zara, be it a staple item or something fun for the season.  My other favorites include Club Monaco, Intermix and Kirna Zabête.

Best gym/athletic facility:  

Sacred Sounds Yoga Studio in Soho. 

Favorite art gallery:

I am obsessed with everything at the website, These Fine Walls (thesefinewalls.com), and highly recommend perusing it on a regular basis.  My favorite storefront gallery is the Martin Lawrence Galleries. 

Favorite museum:

The New Whitney Museum—just being in the building is an experience in itself.

Best museums for design:

The Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum.  I love to go and look at the Eames pieces.

Favorite historic houses in New York:

Gracie Mansion, all the way.  It is so New York in every sense of the word and is timeless, just like our fair city.

What book or books are you reading now?

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and The Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant.

Favorite historic/legendary New York place to see or explore: 

The architecture of Ralph Walker, specifically One Hundred Barclay, is a site to behold.  The grand lobby and art deco interior and exterior is stunningly beautiful and it inspires me in my work.

Describe New York in three words: 

Competitive, brutal, home.

 What is the secret to your success?

Grit.