OCCUPATION: Author, former special events manager at Vogue
MY STYLE: Controlled chaos! Retro, eclectic, and bright, with a pinch of old Hollywood. We listen to music on vinyl and have dance parties every night. My living room is full of muted grays and neutrals with a pop of bright cerulean blue in a modern wing chair next to metal Marais dining room chairs. We decided on metal chairs because they’re easier to keep clean with babies. My favorite room is the half bath, which is covered top to bottom in deep navy lacquered walls as shiny as glass. It’s full of beautiful black and white photos and my own artwork and printmaking.
I LOVE NEW YORK BECAUSE: It’s full of mini neighborhoods we can explore at a moment’s notice. We can be tourists in our own city and still make it our own.
Seersucker
Southern comfort may be trending in culinary circles, but this friendly Brooklyn eatery is more than a flash in the pan. “New Yorkers go to restaurants so they can feel like they’re at home,” says Kelly Florio Kasouf, “and Seersucker exceeds the notion of ‘home away from home.'” The seasonal, southern food is fresh and authentic (chef Robert Newton was raised in Arkansas), and the specialties—fried catfish, goat cheese panna cotta, collard greens—are masterful, perhaps influenced by his former gigs at Manhattan’s Tabla and Le Cirque.
Piccolini
Nolita is a favorite neighborhood for strolling and laid-back but high-end shopping because of stores like Piccolini, which sells children’s clothing and accessories. Owner Alexandra Zagami is available with great taste and guidance for the ambivalent shopper, and, says Kelly Florio Kasouf, “if you’re lucky, Alexandra’s mom, who owns Made in Heaven cakes, will have sweets waiting for guests stopping by.”
The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden
Ah, summer in the city. If there’s a reason to endure sweltering subway platforms, it has to be getting way above ground on the Met’s rooftop garden. Between the beautiful people sipping cocktails, the contemporary installation that changes every year, and the stunning views of Central Park and the skyline beyond it, you won’t know where to look first. What’s more, it’s not often that high culture is kid-friendly, so the Met’s efforts to include and engage children—from providing family maps to art lessons—is extra appreciated by city moms. The roof garden is no exception; before the martini set emerges, you’ll see cool kids enjoying sculptures and San Pellegrinos. “It’s a great way to end the day with the kids before figuring out dinner,” says Kelly Florio Kasouf.
New York Transit Museum
Whether you’re a history buff, an engineer, or simply someone who takes the subway to work, you’re sure to be fascinated by Brooklyn Heights’ transit museum. The ongoing displays of automotive parts, historical maps, as well as trains and trolleys from bygone decades, make it perfect for a family outing. “After hitting up the museum, we’ll visit family in Park Slope, enjoy some time in Prospect Park, and stop off at Mile End for lemonade on our way back to the city,” says Kelly Florio Kasouf.
Crosby Street Hotel
On one of the last peaceful and cobbled streets of Soho sits a New York hotel with a British twist. “I love the mix of English traditional with contemporary edge,” says Kelly Florio Kasouf. Despite the relative quietude of this particular stretch of Crosby Street, the hotel is in the heart of one of the best shopping districts in town. Stop in for a drink or a bite after visiting your favorite stores. There’s also a state-of-the-art screening room, complete with 3D technology, that hosts great events with old movies.