OCCUPATION: Creative director of Charriol International, founder of accessories brand C.lili
MY STYLE: Being French, I would say that my style is European: sexy yet polished. At home, I love fabrics with bold patterns, but nothing floral. I love the color burnt orange for a living room, and yellow for a bedroom. I like comfort, but I like antiques as well. I’m not a minimalist, but I do think that less is more.
I LOVE NEW YORK BECAUSE: There is an unending list of courses for kids. Diller Quaile music program calms them down and teaches them how to appreciate beautiful sound; the Cavaliers sports program takes them to Randall’s Island for some good old-fashioned athleticism; the Metropolitan Museum of Art offers programs to foster art appreciation. And there are many more!
Locanda Verde
This rustic neighborhood tavern cooks up Italian cuisine based on family recipes. The hand-filled ravioli, wood-fired pork chop, and girandole with duck sausage are all fresh, indulgent, and—consider yourself warned—sure to make you crave a repeat experience! And as delicious as Locanda Verde’s dinner may be, Coralie Charriol Paul also comes to Locanda Verde for brunch, when menu mainstays include lemon ricotta pancakes, crispy garlic potatoes, and sweet treats by renowned pastry chef Karen DeMasco.
The Waverly Inn
It’s certainly tempting to drop into this alluring eatery on a whim, but reservations at Waverly Inn are encouraged. Ever since Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter opened the restaurant in 2006, the menu has emphasized such highbrow American dishes as braised rabbit with squash, char-grilled octopus, and bittersweet chocolate desserts. The eats aren’t exactly cheap, but the comfy red booths and roaring fireplaces provide the perfect backdrop for intimate conversation, several courses, celebrity sightings, and at least one stiff Manhattan!
Broadway Babies
The coveted mommy-and-me class at Broadway Babies introduces participants to a different show each week. Don’t know South Pacific and The Chorus Line by heart? Not to worry, as teachers hang lyric sheets on the wall so everyone can learn and sing along together. We recommend calling now to find out when the next registration period begins. Plan to sign up soon, as the class fills up faster than you can say “Bravo!”
Mary Arnold Toys
Mary Arnold Toys is New York’s oldest continuously operating toy store. It may be less overwhelming than Toys ‘R Us, but there’s no lack of selection inside the unassuming Lexington Avenue storefront. Entire sections are devoted to bikes and tricycles, Madame Alexander dolls, train sets, board games, porcelain tea sets, pedigreed horse figurines, and dress-up clothes.
C.lili
It’s no surprise that the luxurious C.lili handbag collection is favored by New Yorkers with kids, as Coralie Charriol Paul created every piece with her fellow moms-on-the-go in mind. Each bag—sharply designed, often with a boho twist—allows women to be both stylish and practical. For one, the roomy and supple Michelle bag—perforated with tiny diamonds—is just big enough for a snack-filled Tupperware and pair of city flats, but lightweight (and chic!) enough to carry through the day.