Topics: Urban Home Decor, New York City Apartments, Food and Wine, Blogs (NYC Voices)

We are pleased to announce the migration of NoMerlot.com wine reviews to Urbania.us.

NoMerlot.com has been a top ranked wine review site, except merlot, for a number of years now. In this new wine review section, you will find over 500 uniquely written reviews by a variety of writers and a plethora of varietals.

Why the name NoMerlot.com?

Let us explain...

WHY WE’RE NOT DRINKING MERLOT

Jack: "And if they wanna drink merlot, we're drinkin’ merlot."
Miles: "No. If anybody orders merlot, I'm leaving. I am not drinking any f**king merlot!"
Jack: “Okay, okay. Relax, Miles . . .
Jesus. No merlot . . .
Did you bring your Xanax?”

From the movie “Sideways.”

First of all, let me start with the fact that it was a crime that Paul Giamatti was not nominated for an Oscar for his performance in “Sideways.” What a great performance, as well as some memorable lines. But Miles’ aversion to Merlot is well-founded. Merlot, or more specifically, American Merlot costing $12 and under is generally bland and flabby, lacking any varietal character or structure. Merlot seem to lack passion - they seem as if they’re made to be as inoffensive as possible. The wine has become a commodity that is trucked in by the tanker and bottled with a label prominently featuring an animal of some sort. Is this Merlot’s destiny in America? We hope not. After all, Merlot has a noble status as one of the primary varietals in Bordeaux. Although we are certain that there are good, inexpensive Merlots out there (and we invite you to write about your favorites in our Merlot blog), the purpose of NoMerlot.com is to explore the vast selections of wine that are available from around the world. So instead of reflexively saying “I’ll have a glass of Merlot,” we want you to say “I’ll try this Malbec from Argentina.”

Found this amazing apartment in Hoboken. It's a 2 bedroom, 2 bath with a private yard and brand new Italian eat in kitchen with a seperate dinning room alcove. I simply don't know what I like more. The kitchen or the yard. Looks like they have a BBQ. And, it's just four blocks from the PATH. Awesome. And, just $625K. If it was in Manhattan, the price would surely be 1.2 M. See why I love Hoboken?

If you are interested in this FSBO, contact Michael at 917-435-0662

Daisy Dog Studios designs porcelain tableware with fun and playful designs inspired by there name sake: Daisy the dog. Currently, they having a sale of on select items such as a 16 inch round platter for just $20.00 - Originally $150. Stunning saving if you ask me. Going out of business? Let's hope not.

Location
460 Hudson St., at Barrow St., New York, New York.
PH: 646-765-7658);
Hours: Daily (noon–6:30)

Tuesday I attended the Christies - Elle Decor - Lexus young collectors event.
Essentially, this event is Christies way to action off misc. pieces from
larger sales at ridiculously low prices and win potential new clients.
That is where Elle Decor comes in. They invite select people from the
design industry. I did not have a direct invite, but went with someone
who did.

Anyway, the event took place on the second floor where the nights
collection was shown. It was motley affair of modern and classical
pieces. As this event was more of "high end swap meet" with low pretense
and no one else seemed to be taking pictures, I kept my camera tucked
away in my pocket.

However, I did find a few objects which I liked and may bid on. I
especially liked the 14th century bronze lion spout, as I collect small
"Gothic" pieces like this. In ten years, I've only found eight pieces.

I also liked the deco stools and table. Unfortunately, I need at least
three stools and I don't need the table. They are being sold as a set.
Bummer.

Anyway, you can see the entire collection at Christies. As you browse,
do NOT be frightened by some of the prices. Many of the items have NO
RESERVE, and so, even if an item says its $1,000.00, try bidding
$200.00. If no one out bids you, you win. Nice, eh?

Image at the top of the page:
AN ITALIAN POLYCHROME-DECORATED AND GILTWOOD CARVED BUST OF A WOMAN,
19TH CENTURY
23in. (58.5cm.) high, 21½in. (54.5cm.) wide.

Estimate
$1,000 - $1,500
No Reserve.

A NORTH EUROPEAN BRONZE FIGURAL SPOUT,
POSSIBLY FLEMISH AND 13TH 14TH CENTURY,
modeled as a lion head, probably previously mounted on a fountain
3in. (7.5cm.) high

Estimate
$700 - $1,000
No Reserve

Boris Deutsch (AMERICAN, 1892-1978)
Three Heads
signed 'Boris Deutsch' (lower right); and signed again 'Boris Deutsch' (on the reverse)
oil on canvas
30 x 25 in. (76.2 x 63.5 cm.)
-Sold-
$1,250.00

AN OAK BAR TABLE,
AFTER A MODEL BY PIERRE CHAREAU,
together with a pair of oak and wrought-iron bar stools
The table 35in. (89cm.) high, 19¾in. (59cm.) wide, 13¼in. (33.5cm.) deep; the stools 32in. (81cm.) high (3)

Estimate
$3,000 - $5,000