Friends we are definitely in cozy season… time spent curled up on the sofa reading or playing a game…I am obsessed with Backgammon at the moment and with this ruffle neck blouse - which I own. Happy November - Enjoy!
Be well and I’ll see you over on Instagram.
A few years ago my sister and I discovered the best way to visit a museum is to start with something tasty. Sometimes it’s a glass of wine and a nibble other times we enjoy lunch. It makes so much sense to visit the cafe early - before everyone else gets hungry. The lines are non-existent and you can eat quickly if you desire and don’t need to stop during your visit. There are so many wonderful cafes at museums that some never think about visiting but you should!
My Faves:
Great Hall Balcony Bar: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Bar overlooks the Great Hall and is a low-key spot to grab a cocktail, glass of wine or beer and small bites including cheese plates, charcuterie and sweet treats. It takes 1-1/2hrs to travel from the Chalet and be inside the Met and by then we need a little something before we look at the art and artifacts and the view is terrific! We have on the rare occasion visited the Balcony Bar twice - both at the start and end of a visit. I have also eaten with my sister in the members only: The Balcony Lounge.
The Morgan Cafe: The Morgan Library and Museum. Hands down this cafe has the best food of any institution I’ve ever visited. The wine and food selections on offer are as delicious as any multi-star restaurant. Yes, friends it’s that good!
Westmoreland: Frick Collection. This cafe is a a recent addition to the Frick opening in June 2025. The drinks on offer are top quality. I love the French 75 and have found it lacking in other establishments and not until Paris did I taste one as yummy. The cafe is named for the Frick family Pullman train car and has a petite footprint if you plan a visit get on Resy to make a reservation as soon as possible. It has a small but, exceptional menu.
Mosaic Restaurant: Princeton University Art Museum. The restaurant is on the top floor of the museum with both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu has a nice array of offerings.
L'Augustine: Musee Rodin. We found ourselves needing a little pick me up after our first museum tour in Paris. This lovely cafe is located behind the museum nestled in the garden. We all enjoyed a little something before making our way over to the Eiffel Tower.
Cafe Campana: Musee D’Orsay. This cafe offered us a quick respite before we made our way to our next destination on our second day in Paris. The best mushroom risotto of my life was enjoyed within steps from the roof terrace and amazing views of the Isle.
Cafe Laperouse: Hotel de la Marine. This gem is in the courtyard of the Place de la Concorde that houses the Hotel de la Marine this is where I finally found a French 75 to rival that of the one at the Westmoreland.
The setting and our drinks were so lovely we returned for luncheon on our last day. I enjoyed the best meal of my visit starting with a French 75. The Foie Gras, Ravioli alla zuca and Crème Brûlée vanille des Augustins were all outstanding.
I was blown away not only by the food and drink but the interiors!
I hope you will pop into the next museum cafe you encounter - trust me you will not be disappointed. Until next time be well and I’ll see you on the Gram!
Jordan Chatham
I’m tickled to welcome my Insta Pal Jordan to the Chalet for a Chat. Hey Jordan so happy you’re here - please tell us about yourself - Hey there! I’m Jordan Chatham, a designer based in North Carolina and mother of three kids under four. I am a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and proud Tar Heel. I began working first in advertising, marketing and IP law before I started my interior design career initially as an antique dealer, which was a side hustle.
My design work is not only done locally as I have clients I work with virtually across the country. I love helping clients create timeless, meaningful spaces they can share with family.
My husband and I spent many years in Chapel Hill, NC and Asheville, NC before we recently moved back to my hometown in the NC foothills. Here we’ve been renovating a local historic home that was slated to be torn down; The Brendle family homeplace. If you’re local to the south east you may remember the popular Brendle’s department stores that dotted the east coast thru the mid 1990s.
The Brendle Home Spring 1950
My husband and I have been working hard to restore this 1939 home to its former glory, which to me means keeping the old tile and reviving that old school charm thru wallpaper and chintz.
Who or What has been the biggest influence on you? My biggest influences are probably the people and places that shaped my life. My mother went to school to be an architect before becoming a stay at home mom. My grandma owned and operated a small antique and gift shop for decades. Their style is timeless in my opinion - traditional, full of antiques and vintage pieces, and with a touch of whimsical charm.
What’s your personal style? My style is a spin on classic. I always want spaces to feel timeless but also colorful and personal. I don’t like it when a space is too matchy matchy or overly organized. It feels too stiff and not collected and layered over time. My style is very classically Southern - traditional leaning towards English country, sentimental, with a touch of whimsy. I love mixing in heirloom pieces and bits of family history wherever possible.
Jordan’s kids with her grandfather, Richard Thurmond “Dick” Chatham, jr. 1930’s portrait. It was exhibited by artist Harrington Mann in NYC and was also featured in Town & Country magazine after the art show.
Your Happy place – where is it? At home - whether that means my house or my parents house, our family farm, or my college town. Home means a lot of different things to me, but always feels nostalgic and happy.
One to the cool things about where you live Jordan is the link to your family history. The Chatham Manufacturing Company was founded in 1877 and is still in operation and last spring you partnered with Bachelor Hill a local antiques store and offered your services as an auction item for the Hugh Chatham Health Foundation Annual Auction & Gala. Yes, a distant cousin has revived Chatham Manufacturing and my great-great grandfather was a successful businessman and he donated the land so that the hospital could be built so it is Hugh Chatham Health. I really enjoyed partnering with David Evans of Bachelor Hill Antiques to offer that client experience. And yes, I am definitely very passionate about my family history and the history of my area.
What is your home aesthetic? Colorful. Antique. Historic. Nostalgic. Cozy. Timeless. Wallpapered. :) A few before an afters.
What space are you most comfortable in? A cozy living room lit by a wood burning fireplace and warm lamp light. Preferably at Christmas when the house is all decorated.
What is something you try and do every day? Get outside. That might mean piddling in the garden, going on a walk, shopping. Seeing sunshine and touching grass makes everything better.
What’s your guilty pleasure? Trash TV - Vintage WWE, Netflix documentaries, The Simple Life are some of my current favorites. And Krispy Kreme doughnuts - warm right from the shop assembly line is always best.
Jordan has been featured in several publications both on-line and in print.
JORDAN’S PLATE FLATLAY WAS FEATURED IN COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE
Jordan was featured in a Southern Living article about estate sale hunting: How To Beat The Crowds At Estate Sales, According To The Experts
Jordan you are such an incredible designer. Your home and your client work is awe inspiring my dear. Many thanks for your time and I loved learning even more about you and sharing you with my readers.
Follow Jordan: @chathamcollection and her website: Jordan Chatham, LTK Threads: @chathamcollection and Facebook: The Chatham Collection
Til next time be well and I’ll see you over on the Gram!
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