Whether you’re trying to clean a picnic blanket, a beach towel, or—in the case of costume designer and new bar owner William Ivey Long—an entire drinking den’s worth of linens, these tiny plastic-and-metal wire brushes are crucial ($5 each at Kiosk, 95 Spring St., nr. Broadway, second fl.; 212-226-8601). Drop on a dollop of liquid cleaner (Long prefers OxiClean), and scrub out the stainage. For more wisdom on the kitchen-and-cleaning front from the five-time Tony winner and first-time barkeep, click ahead.
“I am very protective of the Georgian-silver tureen we put out for parties. To clean it, I use Goddard’s Silver Mitts, which contain a subtle amount of anti-tarnish serum.”
$12 at Barney’s Hardware Store, 467 Sixth Ave., at 11th St.; 212-675-3846.
“I used antique frames from Hudson City Antiques to display my family’s Scottish clan prints. Love those kilts!”
$250 to $550; 150–154 Ninth Ave., nr. 19th St.; 212-675-8855.
“For years, I looked for an excuse to buy a piece of stained glass from Olde Good Things. I bought three pairs of windows for behind the bar and three smaller windows to separate the banquette seating from the Opium Den.”
$1,250; 124 W. 24th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-989-8401.
“Archivia is a dangerous place for an amateur architect. I spent hours there selecting art and design books for the bar’s shelves.”
$50 to $75; 993 Lexington Ave., nr. 71st St.; 212-570-9565.
“To cover the walls, I used designer bolt ends from Zarin Fabrics. They’ll even flameproof for you!”
$35 per yard; 314 Grand St., nr. Orchard St.; 212-925-6112.
“I like the weight and balance of Simon Pearce’s handblown glassware; it’s not so easily knocked over.”
$65; 500 Park Ave., at 59th St.; 212-421-8801.
“OxiClean’s laundry spray is amazingly good at getting wine and food off the bartenders’ shirts.”
$4.19 at Rite Aid, 501 Sixth Ave., at 13th St.; 212-727-3720.
“You won’t find any of these George III–period sterling-silver spoons at the bar. It’s the East Village! But in my ideal world … ”
$475 per spoon at James Robinson, 480 Park Ave., at 58th St.; 212-752-6166.
See Also
Video Tour of Shoolbred’s