Madison Arts Cinema: Madison, CT- 3/29/12- 19:31

I was supposed to be having dinner at The Study's Heirloom restaurant, but everyone bailed on me, so I went to see Salmon Fishing in theYemen instead. This photo of the restroom light fixture is just an excuse to write about the movie, which I thought was quite good, though like so many films these days, a bit too long. Worth seeing on many levels, but especially for Kristin Scott Thomas' role as the high powered British Press Secretary- her moment to have fun like Meryl Streep did in The Devil Wears Prada.

Yale Divinity School: New Haven, CT- 3/29/12- 18:17

This tile pattern and palette reminded me of stained glass. Was it just because I was at the divinity school? Well attended art opening for Ellen Priest. If you are in the vicinity, go see her show Mon- Fri from 9 to 5 thru June. Colorful and lively and sometimes stunningly beautiful collaged works based on jazz compositions.

Essence: Old Saybrook, CT- 3/27/12- 13:03

Same message, but a high end design.

Child and Family Agency: New London, CTG- 3/26/12-

I would not have been surprised to see this poster in the restroom of one of the working facilities of the Agency, but I did find it strange that it was in the restroom in the administrative building as much for the need to be so illustrative as the need for the message. After all, these are the people running this $10,000,000 agency.

Metro North- 3/14/12- 9:52

Believe me this picture does not in any way convey how disgusting this restroom was. In fact, the first thing I had to do was flush the previous occupants waste and then figure out how to get the seat down without getting come infectious disease.

Butter: Manhattan- 3/23/12- 19:12

Nice restroom with a buttery hue to it. This is a very cool restaurant with very good food. An excellent choice if you are going to The Public Theater or Joe's Pub. It was my first time and I will be back to explore this neighborhood more.

Public Theater: Manhattan- 2/23/12- 17:07

This was the first of several visits to the restroom as I was at the theater to see Gatz, a complete dramatic reading of The Great Gatsby. It lasted for 8 hours including intermissions and a break for dinner. I bailed after the last intermission. Ingenious concept, well directed and quite entertaining... to a point. 11pm is past my bedtime these days.

Nectar: Manhattan- 3/23/12- 12:48

What a sensable way to deal with a basic necessity of a crowded lunch place with lots of turnover. Getting through the tightly packed tables and scurrying waiters to get into the restroom is hard enough. Having to hunt for someone to bring more toilet paper would be impossible. Caught a bite of lunch with a friend after seeing the Stein exhibit at the Met. WOW. Had no idea their collection was so extensive. And the grilled cheese sandwich was darn good as well.

Jivamujkti: Manhattan- 3/23/12- 9:17

Now this is the kind of sign it is a pleasure to see. Guess yogis don't have to be told where to put their paper towels.

IFC at Lincoln Center: Manhattan- 3/22/12- 19:09

Okay, I get it... this is a restroom for women.
Saw the film Pina in 3D. It is an homage to late choreographer Pina Bausch (1940-2009), a leading influence in the development of the Tanztheater style of dance. Sadly she passed away just before the documentary was to be made, but her company convinced the director to carry on with the project. Glad he did.

United Community & Family Services: Norwich, CT- 3/22/12- noon

This restroom is in the administration building, an historic landmark and quite lovely. Why they have a scale in the restroom when no patients are seen here is a mystery to me. I certainly wasn't going to use it after lunch.

Thames River Greenery: New London, CT- 3/21/12- 16:38

Yes, its a flower shop. Pretty sweet.

RJ Julia Booksellers: Madison, CT- 3/2/12- 13:08

A direct and personal version of the ubiquitous restroom sign. Every restroom I go in has a waste basket. Why are people putting trash in the toilets? FYI the store is for sale!

Mobil Station: Fairfield, CT- 3/16/12- 14:24

Another surprising highway reststop. Actual art on the wall. I have been in large homes which did not have anything as tasteful as this.

MoMA: Manhattan- 3/16/12- 11:24

Modern art, modern handle. See the Cynde Sherman retrospective. Admire the work and be glad you don't live in her head.

David Burke Kitchen: Manhattan- 3/15/12- 20:37

This is my day to notice floor drains. As befits this trendy eatery, with excellent locally sourced cuisine, the drain was new and shiny. After a couple of hours of helping my son and daughter-in-law with their wedding registry choices, this was a welcome dining choice.

Gallery Hemachromatosis: Manhattan- 3/15/12- 17:10

Not the usual restroom notice about where to throw the towels. Although Duchamp displayed a toilet as a piece of art, this gallery prefers to keep theirs behind a closed door.

Saks Fifth Avenue: Manhattan- 3/15/12- 14:51

Lunch with the girls. Noisy, but good. Sat on the enclosed terrace with views out the windows of the roof top gardens on the buildings around Rockerfeller Center. Who knew they were there? Though the restaurant at Saks is relatively new, this marble floor and drain seem to have been around since the buildign was erected. Must have been part of the corporate offices at one time. They are now across 49th street.

Guggenheim Museum: Manhattan- 3/14/12- 16:43

I like the individual restroom pods that are scattered around this museum. Lots of information on where to go if the one you are at is occupied. Saw the John Chamberlain:Choices and came away much more impressed by this artist than I had been previously. The sculptures work beautifully in the space. Worth a trip uptown.

Michaels: Manhattan- 3/14/12- 12:31

This restaurant has such an extensive art collection that it spills over into the restroom. Kind of cool having all these hunky guys looking at you as you wash your hands and reapply your lipstick. Makes me wish I could adjust the garder holding my stocking. Lunch was substantial, like the clientel. A real power broker place where my brothers meet once a month to catch up and I horn in occassionally.

Michael J. Fina: Manhattan- 3/20/12- 19:08

Came here to help my son and his fiancee register for china and stemware and odds and ends.  The best collection anywhere.  Not cheap, but you only get married once... we hope.

Private Home: Washington, DC- 3/13/12- 8:10

In addition to a colorful pallet and a sense of humor- as witnessed by the penguin sculpture in this shower- this house also houses the most amazing collection of folk art I have ever seen.  There are treasures and curiosities everywhere from floor to ceiling. All wonderfully placed.

Private Home: Washington, DC- 3/12/12- 18:56

You can only get the tiniest clue of the colors in this house from this shot of her powderroom.  She is a documentary filmmaker and the dinner she threw for me included a sculptress who was in the Venice Bienalle, an art collector, a writer and an art consultant.  My kind of group.

The Smithsonian: Washington, DC- 3/12/12- 15:00



Okay.  Where do you think people have been taking this chair that they have to put a tag on it?  After all, this is a museum.  Maybe it is a sign meant for employees who are setting up for lectures or looking for a place to sit while on duty?

The Hamilton: Washington, DC- 3/12/12- 13:52

This is what I call HARDware.  Felt perfectly safe in this stall.  Not that this was in any way a shakey location.  Very elegant and delicious in the heart of the downtown,

Corcoran Gallery: Washington, DC- 3/12/12- 14:57

It really does make you proud to go to the galleries in our capital.  Everything is free and clean.  Even the metro.  And you should see the train station!
Loved the Annie Liebowitz exhibit "Wanderings" of her travel around the country visiting sites that are particularily meaningful to her.  A total change from the rest of her ouvre.

Amtrak 311: NYC to DC- 3/11/12- 10:45

How much can a purse weigh and why would you place it on a glass shelf over the window when there are plenty of easier places?

Private Residence: Manhattan- 3/11/12- 10:17

Only two guys could construct a bathroom shelf like this.  Left my Scotty Walter with them for two nights and he was totally spoiled.  They were all besotted with each other.  It was so touching.

Starbucks: New Hope, PA- 3/10/12- 16:18

I rarely go to Starbucks as I don't drink coffee and I get a kind of flashback to The Twilight Zone" series when I enter one , but my son needs a regular caffine fix and Starbucks seems to be his preferred establishment. My they have a lot to say to their customers in the restroom.

Center Bridge Inn: New Hope, PA- 3/10/12- 15:32

Nor will the dinner be here. You can, however, date this inn by the hardware on the restroom.

The Stockton Inn: New Hope, PA- 3/10- 14:35

What is there to say? A solid wood door with a solid wood sign.  Why am I in PA?  My son is getting married in the fall and the wedding will be in New Hope.  We were scouting locations for the rehearsal dinner.  It will not be here.

Mizu: New York- 3/8/12- 16:22

My good friend Abby has been after me for 2 years to have my hair cut here by Ralph.  She was right.  Haven't had as sophisticated, yet easy, cut in memory.  The studio is way cool which is not reflected in this photo of the restroom.  Kind of a nice touch with those circular wall tiles.

Orsay: New York- 3/8/12- 14;57

Hadn't been to this tony upper east side French bistro in years. It was even better than I remembered. i love the floor tile.  Very retro in a good way.

Whitney Museum: New York- 3/8/12- 12:51

Have no idea what I thought was interesting about this sign. My brain must have been addled by all the mind boggling art I saw at the Bienniel... not.  There are always interesting works in this show and there are always ones that miss the mark.  That's the point of the show.  This is a better than many year.

Pier 92: New York- 3/7/12- 1700

This is a lot nicer than what you get at the Javitt's Center.  Must be the difference between catering to art galleries and collectors versus merchandisers and vendors.

Merritt Parkway: New York- 3/7/12- 12:39

As surprised as I was to find live plants in the rest stops on the way to Boston, I was shocked to discover this charming New England print in this rest stop.

Dr. Pressman:Milford, CT- 3/6/12- 15:47

Shot number four for the neuroma in my right foot. Never hurts less when he gives it, but I do think the treatment is working. No children to be found in this podiatrist's office, so I don't understand the nursery art in the restroom, but did find it whimsical and a pleasant diversion.

The Ivory Restaurant: Deep River, CT- 3/6/12- 14:16

There is nothing about the mish mash of decor about this local joint that makes sense, least of all why the ladies' room is signed "femmes". All I can say is the Latin/Mexican dishes are as fresh and delicious as any I have had short of Mexico.

Private Home: West Hartford, CT- 3/1/12- 19:42

I know this powderroom looks simply sweet, but it was much more than that as was the entire house. An arts and crafts period wonder filled with art and collections of all sorts, the most amazing of which is the doll houses which are scattered all over the place and are all as immaculately furnished as the actual residence. Quite an end to two days of fantastic art adventures.

Mobilia: Cambridge, MA- 3/1/12- 12:06

This may look like the interior of one of your kitchen cupboards, but it is a display of beaded items that are for sale, out of the restroom, at this amazing craft store in Cambridge. They have every imaginable kind of object and some that are unimaginable. All of it is well executed and the selection of jewellry boggles the ming and the imagination. Worth a visit without a time constraint and, preferably, without a budget.

Trident Bookstore and Cafe: Boston, MA- 3/1/12- 10:46

Placing the Woman next to the Astroloty/Tarot section seems somehow fitting for this amazing bookstore/cafe. There is a large selection of fresh juice combinations with fun names like "Backache Relief" and "Clean Complexion" as well as an extensive menu of vegan and not so vegan items. We loved every morsel as well as the selection of clean living and other books and the numerous racks of magazines. Who says the printed word is going out of style?

St. Botloph Club: Boston, MA- 3/1/12- 11:11

Thank goodness I have friends who are members here and get me in. It is the most reasonable room in town, a real throw back in time and chock a block full of all kinds of art, including a copy of a protrait of Isabella Stewart Gardner by John Singer Sargent, who was a club member. Evidently it was considered quite risquee at the time, but looks pretty tame to the current eye. My advice is not to partake of the gratis breakfast, but to wander over to Newbury Street instead.

Volta: Boston, MA- 2/29/12- 20:17

A long day, a wet walk to this restaurant in the rain, a couple of glasses of wine and it feels like I'm seeing double. Really they are side by side doublicate stalls, but you might have convinced me otherwise.

Berklee Music School: Boston, MA- 2/29/12- 19:21

Do college students really care about covering the toilet seat?
Did hear some gerat compositions by senior students which inspired an artist, Ellen Priest, to produce a body of drawings and paintings based on them. Check it out if you get to Boston or check out her website at www.ellenpriest.com. 

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Boston, MA- 2/29/12- 16:212

WOW. Kind of surprising to find this is the ladies' room at the Gardner Museum. Fitting for the new wing designed by Renzo Piano which is an exciting and dynamic addition to the original museum.  And the redesigned courtyard garden.  That's the biggest WOW of all.

MFA: Boston, MA- 2/29/12- 14:26

Are they suggesting that there is a correlation between invalids and babies? Pre and post ambulatory facilities? At least the restroom was clean this time, as opposed to when I was here in October. Another yummy lunch in the new cafe and several interesting exhibitions on view.

Reststop: Natik, MA- 2/29/12- 11:13

Back in Natik, but heading to Bosotn this time. Nice to see they take  cleaning seriously here with a full line up of hand dryers as well as garbage cans and mopping up equipment.

Mobil Station:Rt.395, CT- 2/26/12- 13:20

This is the kind of art work one expects at a bed and breakfast, not a gas station.

George Fuller House:Essex, MA- 2/26/12- 8:35

Clean bed and breakfast with a bit of charm and an extremely accommodating, if a overly chatty, hostess. No complaints from me, especially as I was treated to the room having been so much help with the house hunting and I got to bring my Scottish Terrier with me.

Cygnet Restaurant: Beverly Farms, MA- 2/25/12- 21:19

Nothing like carrying the restaurant theme into the restroom.  Met up with old friends after a day of house hunting with my son and daughter-in-law. We had a super evening and a delicious meal.  And they found a house the next day!