Living in San Francisco it's virtually impossible to find a Manhattan-style red clam chowder. To enjoy this chunky and filling soup, I have to make it myself, thus I've decided to experiment with this recipe.
With its pieces of clams, tomatoes, and veggies, this red chowder is healthier then the cream-based variation. Serve with a side of mixed greens and a hunk of crusty bread, and you've got a deliciously comforting weeknight meal. Check out the recipe and read more
Since her split with Guy Ritchie, Madonna has parked herself in an Upper East Side apartment, moving on from their shared historic estate in Wiltshire, UK, the Ashcombe House. But, according to the Mirror, she misses the English countryside so much that she's asked her architects to re-create her country home room by room in her NYC digs. Let me add that the Mirror is not always the most reliable source, so this news bit still has rumor status.
Apparently, she's hired people "to go out and troll the Upper East Side boutiques for candelabras, side tables, and period chaises" and even had the wood floors of her new Georgian-style townhouse "ripped up and replaced with terracotta tiles, similar to Ashcombe." There's even talk of bringing chickens into the Manhattan pad to make her kids feel at home — I'm going to go out on a limb and say that might be stretching the truth. Nevertheless, do you understand where she is coming from? Would you do (or have you done) the same thing? Or do you think she's nuts and should decorate like she lives in Gotham City, not the English countryside?
The bedroom of any member of The Strokes is something that millions of girls (including Yours Truly) have dreamt of seeing. So, it's my pleasure to announce that you're all one step closer to Albert Hammond Jr.'s sheets — but not if I beat you to it. 
Hammond has put his 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom, 1.5-bath East Village apartment on the market for $899,000. The property was originally listed for $1.2 million last August, but you know how the housing market is these days. Even though the guitarist and solo artist may not come with the deal, I'd be happy to own his digs (if not his heart). Bright, oversize windows and high-beamed ceilings give it a loft-like feeling and terrific views of the hipsters in Alphabet City. I'm loving the retro red bar stools and blue kitchen tile. Fabulous California Closets, used to store the menswear designer's extensive collection of three-piece suits, are also a plus. Oh, and aspiring rockstar girlfriends, there's bike storage in the basement to keep your fixed-gear safe. See pics when you read more
If you're a New Yorker, you may have been lucky enough to catch the Design on a Dime event that finished off this weekend. Over 40 of the world's top interior designers, including Elizabeth Bauer, John Bartlett, David Cafiero (Chloe Sevigny's designer), James Huniford and more, created room vignettes for the event, and furnishings were sold off to visitors at a 40 to 60 percent discount. The proceeds benefit Housing Works, the nation’s largest grassroots AIDS service organization, but another perk is that each vignette is an inspiration for those of us decorating our own homes. Tell me what you think and take a look at many more designer spaces when you read more
Milla Jovovich has apparently tired of only selling clothes and decided to sell real estate as well. Her own, that is. The model-cum-fashion-designer has listed her four-bedroom, two-bath West Village townhouse on the market for $7 million. The Greek revival townhouse features a lush garden, cast-iron railings, mahogany banisters, stone heated floors, exposed beams, a terrace, a master suite with a grand bath, sitting/dressing room, walk-in closets behind mirrored French doors, a solarium, and five fireplaces throughout. There's no word on where Jovovich will be moving, but I'd assume her engagement to film writer and director Paul W. S. Anderson, and the recent birth of her daughter, Ever Gabo Anderson, has something to do with it. To see interior photos, read more
Actors Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly have finally sold their 9-bedroom, 3.5-bath Victorian townhouse in Brooklyn, which they put on the market in May. 
The Bettany-Connelly Prospect Park pad still stands in my mind as the one of the most impressive celebrity digs I've yet to take a gander at. Not only are the prewar architectural elements absolutely stunning and nonpareil, but also the couple made simply tasteful interior design choices that create bold, uncompetitive statements throughout the house. My theory is that the combination of the Brooklyn home's overwhelmingly good looks and the couple's joint hotness was just too much to handle. So, they've purchased a nice and modern, but not-so-awesome penthouse in TriBeCa for $6.92 million. The new digs do have a roof deck overlooking the Hudson River and all of the luxe amenities you'd expect a celeb to have, but nothing exciting beyond that. Is Brooklyn over for the Hollywood elite? Will Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard be next? To see more photos of the Bettany-Connelly's new digs, read more
Recently, New York Social Diary caught up with conductor, composer, and founder of the now-defunct Eos Orchestra, Jonathan Sheffer, in his Manhattan atelier, and shared photos to prove it. It's clear that Sheffer doesn't only have a talent for arranging notes, but for choreographing interiors as well. Beyond his smart balance of contemporary furniture, his vast collection of music, books, and artwork instantly incites jealousy. To take a tour of his pad, check out this slideshow. Be sure to read NYSD's interview for more details and images.
Source
Chandelier Creative is a three-year-old, full-service creative agency based in New York City with a focus on fashion, beauty, retail, travel, and luxury lifestyle brands. Among Chandelier's clients are Coca Cola, Four Seasons, Parfums Givenchy, Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Old Navy, Nanette Lepore, and W Hotels. Though the agency's client list is certainly an impressive one, you know me: I find myself more taken with the interior design of its SoHo penthouse, designed by agency owner, Richard Christiansen. Much like its work, Chandelier's space is slick, colorful, and imaginative and in every sense far from what the word "office" conjures in even the most forward-thinking mind. 
Here, a black leather Chesterfield sofa with matching tufted Louis XIV chairs and a Saarinen table set on glossy white floors form a creative conference area. Soccer balls roll about to lighten the mood. A Chippendale chair at a turned wood dining table makes a desk space, and an overflowing book case with colorfully spined volumes infuses the space with life and language. To see many more photos of this amazing space, read more
Justin Timberlake wasn't kidding around when he said Manhattan is the greatest city in the world. He's such a great admirer of the city that he decided to buy his own little slice of the Big Apple. According to Real Estalker, Timberlake recently purchased a 3,000-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bath loft home in Tribeca for $4.774 million. 
The listing for the property reads:
This 3 bedroom, 3 bath room loft home offers gracious entertaining space in the extravagantly oversized living area as well as four exposures, 14 floor-to-ceiling arched windows, fabulous river views and completed with a brand new lighting package and built in Sonos sound system featuring inclusive Lutron technology controlling temperature, lights, sound, shades and more. This Tribeca Condo is adorned with the highest quality finishes and appliances including Wolf cooktop w/ grill and Wolf double wall oven, 48" Sub-Zero fridge and wine cooler, Miele DW, Miele W/D. Truly a unique TriBeCa residence.
JT's new pad sits a block from the Hudson River Park which will soon boast a mini golf course, so you can bet he'll be brushing up on his golf skills — even though he finds the game easy. To see more photos of the digs, read more
Tomorrow, beginning at 9 a.m., Architectural Digest will give professional and non-professional designers alike the chance to come present their work to the magazine at Manhattan's D&D Building, quelling the notion that you need to have an "in" to have your work published in the pub. Editor-in-chief Paige Rense will moderate a townhall-style meeting with a panel of esteemed designers including Mario Buatta, Cecil Hayes, Geoffrey Bradfield, Lee Mindel, and Stephen Sills. Designers in the New York metro area must RSVP online before arriving, and those in California can attend open auditions this Spring. For more information, and a list of required portfolio materials to bring, go here.
