"Brooklyn Spirits": A Very Special Book Launch

Last night at Powerhouse Arena in Dumbo, Brooklyn

Peter Thomas Fornatale and Chris Wertz

Signing copies of 'Brooklyn Spirits'

Chris Wertz, Max Kelly and Peter Thomas Fornatale 

Photographer Max Kelly with his super proud mama.

This being Friday, perhaps you may allow me to slip from neighborhood blogger into the role of very proud mother just this once.

Last night, I attended a very special book launch for "Brooklyn Spirits: Craft Distilling and Cocktails from the World's Hippest Borough" at PowerHouse Arena in Dumbo. Special, because all the photographs in this book were taken by my son Max Kelly.

Co-authored by Peter Thomas Fornatale and Chris Wertz and published by Powerhouse Books, 'Brooklyn Spirits' highlights many of the borough's new craft distilleries like Breukelen Distilling, Greenhook Ginsmiths and Noble Experiment and the producers behind these Brooklyn start-ups.
Photographs  for 'Brooklyn Spirits' were taken on location at the distilleries and in some of the most popular watering holes in Brooklyn.  Most of the 95 cocktail recipes contributed by the authors, distillers and borough bartenders have been beautifully photographed.

The New York Times writes about "Brooklyn Spirits"

"Lavishly photographed, the book chronicles the experiences of a dozen start-up whiskey and liqueur makers in the borough, including Breukelen Distilling, Van Brunt Stillhouse, Cacao Prieto, Greenhook Ginsmiths and Uncouth Vermouth. Threaded throughout are stories about the bars that use the spirits and the cocktails they create, like the Crown Heights Negroni and the Gravesend Smash. It includes several recipes and an excellent index of the cocktails."

I wonder what Grandpa Kelly would think of all this. Back in the days, he owned the White Shutter Inn at 98 Wyckoff Avenue in Bushwick. Though he probably didn't serve fancy spirits and drinks like those photographed by his grandson Max, I know that he would have been as proud of him as I am.

The book is available at Powerhouse Arena here and from Amazon here.

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Picture Of The Day: Bob's Grinding Service

Glad to see Bob's Grinding Service is still coming around.

Hadn't seen it for a long time.

Photo credit: Max Kelly Photography

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Meet Carroll Gardener Robert Farrell, Residential Architect And Interior Decorator

 
Residential architect and interior designer Robert Farrell

A recently completed project in Carroll Gardens designed by Robert Farrell
(interior photos by Max Kelly Photography)

How does one renovate an 1800's  brownstone without compromising its architecture?  For  residential architect and interior designer Robert Farrell, that means respecting it's history and charm while adapting its layout to modern living.  "The history of a building is always important to me. Sometimes, it is a way in to tell me what to do."
I recently met Farrell for a cup of coffee at Canteen to talk about his Carroll Gardens design firm, Robert B. Farrell, LTD., his design philosophy and how he helps his clients with this unique challenge.
"Most people who buy a Brooklyn brownstone have a certain sensibility," he explained " but they tend to forget that these brownstones were built during a time when life was more formal. A hundred and fifty years ago, people didn't lie around with their laptop." he says with a smile.  As Farrell notes, "brownstone owners need to be committed to the love of brownstone and all the structural issues that it involves."  
For Farrell, the design process starts with interviewing his clients to understand their needs, expectations, as well as their budget.   Rather than tell his clients how to live their lives, he  strives to create something personal and unique that works for their lifestyle.  "It's really about how you live in a place.  It can be a fussy Brooklyn Heights interior or an open loft. It has to feel right." he explains.
Farrell, who was raised on Long Island, found his way to Brooklyn via Pratt Institute, where he earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He describes his time there as an amazing experience. After graduating, he left Brooklyn to work in Manhattan, but moved back to Brooklyn and into his Carroll Gardens apartment (with a garden) about 16 years ago.   He founded his design firm in 2004 and has since worked on many Brownstone projects, both small and large.  His work easily reflects his passion for art, architecture and history.
To learn more about Robert Farrell and his work, click here.

Robert B.Farrell, LTD.

Residential Architecture and Interior Design

www.RBF-LTD.Com

917 482 8432

RFarrell@RBF-LTD.Com

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