With my speaking and booksigning travels, I don’t make it down to New York, one of my old hometowns, as often as I would prefer. But when I do, I always try to include a walk along the side streets of the Upper East Side. All those grand limestone mansions, charming red brick houses (above) and romantic brownstones. It is like taking a quick trip to London or Paris. And when spring is in the air, the greenery in so many different forms adds a refreshing complement to these townhomes.

Don’t miss the balled boxwoods on the second and third floor balconies.

What is more charming than a small, beautifully maintained spring townhouse garden?

Love the surprise “architectural statement” window of the fourth floor.

What a difference a bit of greenery makes!

Worth a trip up these steps…

Architectural details abound but especially in the unusual pattern of the second story balustrade.

A “seam” of bricks created by borders of limestone quoins.

A can’t miss, green and white planting scheme that is both cool and chic at the same time.

The New York Times on the doorstep.

A townhouse-wide garden with its own street number.

Elegant simplicity!

A very handsome townhouse that now functions as a chic emporium. Weren’t they nice to get my suitcases ready for an upcoming trip?! (I’m still trying to decide on which color…)

And let me not forget to mention the sidewalk planter boxes, looking spiffier than I remember…and more and more of them are to be seen along the UES sidewalks.