Istanbul is one of the great cities and one to which travelers with diverse interests are drawn. There is certainly the romance and history, the architecture, the Grand Souk. But there is also the cuisine, fresh fish served simply at outdoor cafes in leafy neighborhoods, food stalls buzzing into the night and morning markets piled high with fresh produce.
There is one major problem with Istanbul, and that would be the traffic. With so much to see and do, it takes real logistical planning to circumvent the hours that can be spent in traffic, moving between the old and new cities, the Asian and European shores. We choose our hotels accordingly.
New on the scene is Stories Apart which offers three apartment buildings in one of the most centrally located neighborhoods of the city, each with an architectural history attached. With room configurations of all kinds and prices that fit nicely into the pocketbook, Stories Apart offer an alternative to the brand hotels that abound. Check on room size, check on view and check on noise levels – all of which can be problematic in small, city properties – but chances are you will light on a find that will make others jealous.
John Derian is a treasure. It's not that there aren't many with talent and vision because there are, the world over. But Derian has other attributes that make him so beloved. His eye is unerring, his sense of scale is perfect, he layers cultures and eras seamlessly in a room. And he is accessible in brick and mortar. His two shops on East Second Street have been haunts for years. One carries the decoupage he designs and constructs locally (and that make the best gifts ever) along with the coveted ceramics of Astier de Villatte. The second Dry Goods store next door showcases quirky antiques, an assortment of vintage furniture, stacks of heavy french linen, Moroccan rugs and soft cotton Indian clothing. Both are small, but intriguing and interesting enough to seduce you on a journey of the senses.
And now, Derian has opened on Christopher Street in a double-windowed storefront of a two-story 18th century house. It's like walking in to another world. Traditional Astier, and the later Derian/Astier collaborative pieces, line the walls from roof to floor of the front room. The back room, wallpapered in his new cabbage rose design and lit by beautiful Balthus-designed standing lamps with parchment shades, offers a living room in which to settle in, thumb through books and albums, and rest the soul.
So, go to shop, or simply go to travel in spirit to another place and time.
https://www.johnderian.com/pages/our-locations"
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