New York
DESTINATION GUIDE WITH JESSICA SCHUSTER
New York Design Guide: A Curated Journey with Jessica Schuster
From the cobblestone streets of Tribeca to the creative energy of SoHo and Chelsea, New York City remains one of the world’s most dynamic design capitals. Guided by interior designer Jessica Schuster, this curated New York Design Guide offers an insider’s pass to the city’s best design hotels, boutique restaurants, collectible galleries, and cultural landmarks. Whether you’re discovering artisan studios like Green River Project, exploring world-class museums such as The Met or MoMA, or escaping to the coastal elegance of The Hamptons, each stop reflects the layered sophistication that defines New York. For aesthetes, collectors, and travellers alike, this guide reveals a city where design, art, architecture, and lifestyle converge. A destination of constant reinvention, New York inspires with every corner — and through Jessica Schuster’s lens, it becomes not just a place to visit, but a world to experience.
SEPTEMBER 2025
Words: designeers and jessica schuster
A breakfast and coffee stop:
Edith’s Sandwich Counter
A must-visit for any New York breakfast and coffee lover, Edith’s Sandwich Counter brings retro charm and inventive flavors to the heart of the West Village. Known for its reimagined breakfast classics, signature slushies, and soulful menu, this cozy spot blends nostalgia with a modern foodie edge.
a design hotel to stay in:
Fouquet’s, Tribeca
For travelers seeking a luxury design hotel in New York, Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s in Tribeca offers Parisian boutique charm with downtown Manhattan energy. Designed by world-renowned interior designer Martin Brudnizki, the hotel showcases Art Deco-inspired interiors, refined French dining, a private cinema, and a tranquil spa. Blending timeless European elegance with New York’s creative spirit, Fouquet’s is perfect for aesthetes, collectors, and style-conscious visitors looking to experience the best of Tribeca.
A lunch to indulge into:
Casa Cipriani
For a refined lunch in New York, Casa Cipriani offers history, elegance, and harbour-side views within the landmark Battery Maritime Building. Blending Italian soul with timeless luxury, the restaurant is open from morning to night, serving everything from relaxed lunches to indulgent afternoon teas. Its interiors evoke the golden age of travel, think 1930s French ocean liner glamour, with polished wood, brass details, and cinematic ambiance. A favourite for aesthetes and travellers alike, Casa Cipriani is one of Manhattan’s most iconic design-led dining destinations.
Favourite concept store:
Artemest Galleria
Artemest Galleria in West Chelsea is one of New York’s most inspiring boutique design destinations, dedicated to showcasing exceptional Italian craftsmanship. Spanning 5,000 square feet, the gallery blends showroom, studio, and exhibition space, featuring collectible furniture, lighting, and décor from Italy’s leading artisans. A go-to for architects, designers, and collectors, Artemest Galleria celebrates timeless design and contemporary Italian artistry in the heart of Manhattan’s creative district.
an artisan everyone should know about:
Green River Project
Green River Project is a New York–based design studio celebrated for its handcrafted furniture, interiors, and collectible objects. Founded by designers Aaron Aujla and Benjamin Bloomstein, the studio fuses art, architecture, and material experimentation to create tactile, narrative-driven design. Their work embodies raw elegance and a deep respect for American craft traditions, making Green River Project a must-know name in New York’s contemporary design and collectible furniture scene.
A PLACE TO FIND ART, FURNITURE, DESIGN:
Dobrinka Salzman Gallery
Dobrinka Salzman Gallery is a premier Chelsea design gallery specializing in collectible 20th-century furniture, lighting, and sculpture. Showcasing rare works by legendary designers such as Jean Prouvé, Finn Juhl, and Charlotte Perriand, the gallery blends vintage mastery with a refined curatorial eye. A must-visit destination for collectors, interior designers, and art professionals, Dobrinka Salzman Gallery offers museum-quality pieces that define New York’s role as a global hub for design and culture.
A FIne Dining restaurant:
Le Bernardin
Le Bernardin is one of New York City’s most celebrated restaurants, renowned for its refined seafood-focused French cuisine under Chef Eric Ripert. Holding three Michelin stars since 2005 and four stars from The New York Times since 1986, it represents the pinnacle of fine dining in Manhattan. Guests indulge in elegant tasting menus that blend European precision with Asian influences, showcasing masterful technique and sophisticated presentation. A true culinary landmark, Le Bernardin remains a legacy destination for food lovers, collectors of gastronomic experiences, and anyone seeking the ultimate luxury dining experience in New York.
A PLace to shop for SOPHISTICATED accessories:
McGrath
McGrath is a sophisticated New York gallery and boutique in SoHo, offering a curated mix of antiques, collectible design, and contemporary art. The space showcases 18th- and 19th-century furniture alongside modern objects and custom interior editions, creating a dialogue between heritage and innovation. Every piece is handpicked for its historical significance, craftsmanship, and aesthetic relevance, making McGrath a must-visit destination for collectors, interior designers, and anyone seeking refined accessories and timeless design in New York.
A COCKTAIL BAR:
Clemente Bar
Clemente Bar is an intimate cocktail lounge and chef’s counter above the iconic Eleven Madison Park, designed by acclaimed architecture studio Allied Works. The space features monumental murals by artist Francesco Clemente, creating a rare fusion of art, architecture, and hospitality. With rich walnut paneling, hand-carved details, and sculptural accents, the bar evokes timeless sophistication. An immersive destination for design lovers, Clemente Bar offers an elevated mixology and dining experience in the heart of New York.
FAVOURITE DESIGN STORE:
Quarters
Quarters is a curated concept space in Tribeca that seamlessly blends design, hospitality, and retail under one refined roof. Created by design studio In Common With, the store showcases collectible lighting, vintage furniture, artisan-made objects, and curated pantry goods. More than just a showroom, Quarters offers an intimate, lived-in atmosphere where everything is shoppable. With an in-house wine bar and rotating cultural events, it has become a destination for tastemakers, interior designers, and design lovers seeking inspiration in New York.
FAVourite art gallery:
Pace Gallery
Pace Gallery is one of New York’s most prestigious contemporary art galleries, representing world-renowned artists including Alexander Calder, Agnes Martin, and Mark Rothko. Founded in 1960, it has grown into a global institution with flagship spaces in London, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Geneva.
In New York’s Chelsea district, Pace is celebrated for its groundbreaking exhibitions, curatorial innovation, and exploration of new mediums from performance art to digital installations. A must-visit destination for collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts, Pace Gallery continues to shape the conversation around contemporary art worldwide.
FAVourite design museum:
101 Spring Street
101 Spring Street in SoHo is the former home and studio of artist Donald Judd, now preserved as a museum by the Judd Foundation. This iconic cast-iron building embodies Judd’s philosophy of “permanent installation,” with furniture, art, and objects arranged exactly as he lived with them. A pilgrimage site for design and architecture lovers, 101 Spring Street offers a rare, immersive glimpse into the minimalist movement and the intersection of art, space, and everyday life in New York.
an architectural landmark:
The Met Museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, known simply as The Met, is one of the world’s most iconic art and architectural landmarks. Located on Fifth Avenue, the museum houses over 5,000 years of creativity, from ancient Egyptian relics to European masterpieces and modern design treasures. Its Beaux-Arts façade and grand architectural presence make it a must-visit destination not only for art enthusiasts but also for lovers of design, history, and culture. A timeless symbol of New York, The Met continues to inspire millions with its unparalleled collections and architectural grandeur.
A PLACE OF ADVENTURE OUT OF TOWN:
The Hamptons
The Hamptons represent timeless coastal elegance, where pristine beaches meet refined countryside charm. A long-time favorite escape for artists, designers, and tastemakers, the region blends natural beauty with architectural allure — from classic shingled mansions to minimalist modern retreats. Beyond its celebrated homes, The Hamptons offer a cultural landscape of contemporary art galleries, farm-to-table restaurants, and curated boutiques. Just a short trip from New York City, this seaside enclave is a serene yet stylish retreat, embodying understated luxury and serving as an endless source of design inspiration..
Photography credits:
CLEMENTE BAR – JASON VARNEY
101 SPRING STREET - Charlie Rubin © Judd Foundation
More from Jessica Schuster
Jessica Schuster: Shaping Interiors with Soul and Substance
Based in SoHo, New York, Jessica Schuster Design is a boutique interior design studio renowned for crafting spaces that balance innovation with enduring elegance. Founded in 2013 by Jessica Schuster, the firm specialises in residential and hospitality projects across the United States, including New York City, the Hamptons, Palm Beach, Boston, and Miami.
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