A Book Lover’s Guide to the Literary Bars of New York
For those who like their evening tipple with a literary twist, Manhattan is resplendent with…
Category Inspiration Vault
The Haunting Magic of Ghost Buildings
Here at Messy Nessy Chic, we love all things curious, nostalgic and with a touch of wonder to them. And what could be more intriguing than a ghost building… A ‘ghost building’ isn’t a haunted mansion or a spooky house……in fact it isn’t a building at all! But rather, ghost buildings are the outlines of […]
Finding New York’s Best Tea & Coffee in an Ancient Village Emporium
The nicest place to buy coffee and tea in New York, is also its oldest. Tucked away in the West Village is the quiet and unassuming McNulty’s, a small store that has been selling rare teas and choice coffees ever since 1895. Walking inside is truly like stepping back in time. It is also a […]
How Pianos Built a Forgotten Utopian Village in Queens, NY
If you were to guess what the most intricate thing being made in America today is, chances are you wouldn’t imagine that it’s a piano. Almost entirely still hand made and assembled in Queens, New York after 160 years, Steinway pianos are known the world over. Lesser known, is the fact that Steinway & Sons […]
Hidden Under a Chicken Coop: The “Louvre” of Wine
One of the world’s most prestigious wine cellars isn’t where you think it might be.…
The Lost Art of Victorian Human Hair Shrines
Meander through enough Sunday flea markets, and you’re bound to come across a Victorian grief…
Strange Objects of Desire: Victorian Glassware
If there’s one thing I’m almost certain about when it comes to Victorians–it’s that they…
The Irresistible Charm of Miniature Limoges SnuffBoxes
Keeper of blushing secrets to tobacco snuff, pins & needles to pills, the Limoges trinket…
A Brief Compendium of Art Nouveau Treasures
It’s photographs like this that stop me in my tracks when I’m browsing the internet,…
A Brief Compendium of Beautiful Bird Cages
I‘m less interested in keeping a bird in a cage than I am in keeping…
The Real Holy Grails: A Brief Compendium of Elaborate Chalices
There is arguably no more iconic, big bling accessory than ye olde goblet (if only…
A Brief Compendium of Vintage Cigarette Dispensers
“Tobacciana.” That’s a big ‘ole blanket term for all things smoking-obsessed. Not very 2020, perhaps…