The Barbizon Hotel Article Links

ECLECTIC DECOR

The decorating, accomplished by designer Kristine Battersby of Interior Designs International, is a very successful mix of contemporary and empire upholstered pieces with oriental accents in soothing beige-peach-russet colors.

A camel back settee with rolled arms in a fabulous woven lion fabric sits in front of large picture windows draped in slugged silk. A lush sueded fabric covers a modern accent chair by the French Provincial desk. Upholstered window seats flank the French doors. The video and stereo equipment is housed in a Chinoiserie chest etched with gold.

According to Battersby, the design is a tribute to the Barbizon district of France, where artists resisted the conventions of classical art and Impressionism was born.

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SOUND SYSTEM

It’s not just the living room that is wired for sound, either. It's in every room and with its own controls. My teen companion is a happy camper listening to her hot tunes in the bedroom while I work soundless in the living room. A lovely arrangement.

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BATHROOM

While I'm languishing in the bath, I'll just describe the room for you. Oh, and if you should want to get clean, while I soak, just jump into the corner shower. White marble and tile encircle me and there is a soft afternoon light coming in the WINDOW. When the natural light fades, I'll flip on the halogens. The 20's pedestal sink is an original; literally, the only thing kept in the redo-everyone else has to buy copies.

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RESTAURANTS

The Barbizon is currently without a restaurant, but plans are afoot for a major one. In the meantime you'll just have to make do with one of the thousands of New York restaurants. The Barbizon has an arrangement with seven nearby restaurants whereby they make your reservations and then you can sign the restaurant bill to your room.

We hit the PARK AVENUE CAFE because GOURMET MAGAZINE mentioned its Park Bench in an article on New York's divine chocolate desserts. The Park Bench was indeed divine and we definitely enjoyed the rest of the meal as well.

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BREAKFAST ROOM

The Breakfast Room is dominated, as all breakfast rooms should be, by flowers-a grand arrangement of lilies, delphiniums, and liatris. There is an attractive buffet available for a large breakfast or you can order the continental. I must unhappily report that here, as in much of New York, the coffee is just not up to West Coast standards.

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