Kitchen - transitional galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Toronto with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, multicolored backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and multicolored countertops

Wing Wong/Memories TTL
Transitional home design photo in New York

Image Courtesy © Michael Graydon
Inspiration for a coastal backyard concrete patio remodel in Boston with a roof extension

Photography: Dan Piassick
Transitional living room library photo in Dallas with white walls and a standard fireplace

Ask a kitchen designer in Chicago which countertop question comes up most and you will hear the same answer: white or off-white quartz, and which shade. Homeowners walk into showrooms with a photo saved on their phone, usually a bright, veined slab from a magazine spread, and leave an hour later realizing there are a dozen versions of that same look. The confusion is not about taste. It is about the fact that "white quartz" covers a huge range of patterns, undertones, and price points, and nobody explains the differences before the sale. Older bungalows and newer builds alike are getting stripped of their dated laminate and butcher block in favor of quartz, and the reasons are practical rather than trendy. Quartz does not need sealing, resists the kind of staining that granite can suffer over decades, and holds up to the freeze-thaw humidity swings that Chicago basements and kitchens go through every year. Once a homeowner commits to quartz, though, the real decision starts: which white, and does the pattern justify the difference in cost. This piece walks through three specific slabs that keep showing up in Chicago renovation projects, why designers reach for them in different rooms, and what actually separates a flat white surface from one with real depth. None of this requires a design background to follow. It is mostly about paying attention to how a slab behaves under kitchen lighting, how busy the vending gets, and how it photographs versus how it looks in person. Why White Quartz Took Over Chicago Kitchens Ten years ago, granite dominated Chicago kitchen remodels almost by default. It was durable, it looked expensive, and every fabricator in the metro area carried a wide range of colors. Quartz has since taken over that position, and the shift happened faster than most contractors expected. Engineered stone gave homeowners a more predictable surface, since natural granite varies slab to slab while quartz is manufactured to a consistent pattern batch after batch. The other driver is light. Chicago winters are long and gray, and a lot of kitchens, especially in older two-flats and courtyard buildings, do not get much direct sun. A dark granite countertop in a dim kitchen can make the whole room feel smaller. White and light-toned quartz reflects what little natural light comes through the windows, and it makes a galley kitchen or a north-facing space feel noticeably brighter without touching the cabinetry or the layout. There is also a resale argument that local real estate agents bring up constantly. White quartz photographs well for listings, reads as updated and low-maintenance to buyers touring in person, and does not compete visually with whatever cabinet color the next owner might prefer. It is a safer bet than a bold veined marble look or a colored quartz that might feel dated in five years. Arctic White and the Cost Question Among the flatter, more uniform whites, arctic white quartz price comes up constantly in budget conversations because the slab sits at a more approachable point than the heavily veined Italian-marble-inspired patterns. It reads as clean and bright without the busy movement that some homeowners find overwhelming in a small kitchen. Fabricators in the Chicago area tend to keep it in stock precisely because demand stays steady across both new construction and remodel projects. Part of what keeps this slab affordable relative to its heavily patterned cousins comes down to manufacturing complexity. A quartz surface with minimal veining and a consistent white base is simpler to produce at scale than one that mimics the irregular, high-contrast movement of natural Calacatta marble. That production difference shows up directly in what a homeowner pays per square foot, and it is worth asking a fabricator to walk through that pricing before assuming every white quartz costs the same. Homeowners planning a full kitchen, including an island, backsplash, and perimeter counters, often use a flatter white like this specifically because it lets other elements carry the visual interest. A patterned tile backsplash or a bold cabinet color reads more clearly against a calm countertop than against one already fighting for attention with heavy veining. Designers frequently pair simpler whites with statement lighting fixtures for exactly this reason. What Makes Calacatta Patterns Different Calacatta refers to a family of marble originally quarried in Italy, known for a bright white background broken up by bold, often gold-toned veining that moves in thick, dramatic streaks rather than thin gray lines. Natural Calacatta marble is soft, porous, and expensive to maintain, which is exactly why quartz manufacturers spent years developing engineered versions that replicate the look without the upkeep headaches. The challenge with any Calacatta-style quartz is getting the veining to look organic instead of printed. Early generations of engineered stone struggled with repetitive patterns that gave away the fact the slab was manufactured rather than cut from actual marble. Modern digital printing and layering techniques have closed that gap considerably, and the better Calacatta-inspired quartz lines now vary the veining across each slab batch so two counters in the same kitchen do not look identical. Chicago designers gravitate toward Calacatta patterns for kitchens that function as the visual centerpiece of an open floor plan, which describes a large share of the gut renovations happening in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, and the North Shore suburbs. When the kitchen island is visible from the living room and dining area, a dramatic veined surface becomes part of the home's overall design language rather than a purely functional work surface. Calacatta Arno Under Kitchen Lighting One of the more popular options in this category, calacatta arno quartz, balances a warm white base with soft gray and gold veining that avoids looking too stark under the cooler LED lighting common in newer Chicago builds. Homeowners touring showrooms sometimes make the mistake of judging a slab entirely under warm incandescent lighting, then get surprised when the same surface looks slightly different once installed under their kitchen's actual fixtures. What separates this particular pattern from flatter competitors is how the veining clusters rather than spreading evenly across the slab. That clustering mimics the way real quarried marble forms, with denser mineral deposits in some sections and cleaner stretches in others. Fabricators cutting a large island slab from a single piece will often orient the pattern intentionally so the busiest veining lands somewhere visually interesting rather than getting cut off at an edge. Because the background reads warmer than a stark white, this pattern tends to pair well with brass or matte gold hardware, a combination that has been showing up repeatedly in Chicago kitchen remodels over the past few renovation seasons. Cabinet painters report a similar trend, with more clients requesting warm white or greige cabinet colors specifically because they complement this kind of veined quartz better than a cooler, blue-toned white would. Silestone's Version of the Calacatta Look Manufacturers compete directly in this Calacatta-inspired category, and silestone eternal calacatta gold represents one brand's specific take on the pattern, distinguished by richer gold veining set against a brighter white base than some competing slabs in the same family. Silestone has built a reputation around anti-bacterial surface treatments in addition to the standard quartz durability, a detail some homeowners specifically ask about for kitchens used heavily by families with young children. The veining in this particular slab tends to run in longer, more continuous lines compared to the clustered pattern found in some other Calacatta-style options, which gives large island surfaces a sense of visual flow from one end to the other. Fabricators working with bigger islands, the kind increasingly common in open-concept Chicago remodels, often favor patterns like this because there is less need to worry about seams interrupting a busy, disconnected pattern. Price positioning for this slab tends to sit toward the upper end of the engineered quartz category, reflecting both the brand's manufacturing process and the complexity of replicating that continuous gold veining consistently across production batches. Homeowners weighing this option against other Calacatta-style quartz should ask their fabricator directly about batch availability, since premium patterns sometimes have longer lead times than standard stock colors. Living With Quartz Day to Day Beyond how a slab looks in a showroom or a listing photo, the daily experience of owning quartz countertops matters more once the renovation dust settles. Quartz resists scratching far better than laminate and holds up to the acidic spills, hot pans, and general abuse of an active kitchen without the sealing maintenance that natural stone requires every year or two. That low-maintenance reputation is a large part of why quartz overtook granite in the first place. Heat resistance is a detail that gets less attention than it should. While quartz handles moderate heat well, manufacturers generally recommend using a trivet or pad for very hot pots straight off the stove, since sudden temperature shock can occasionally cause stress marks in the resin binder that holds the engineered stone together. This is a minor precaution rather than a major limitation, but it is worth mentioning to anyone assuming quartz is entirely indestructible. Cleaning routines stay simple across almost every pattern in this category. A damp cloth and mild soap handle daily messes, and the nonporous surface means wine, coffee, and tomato-based sauces do not soak in the way they can with unsealed granite or marble. Homeowners moving from an older stone counter often mention how much less they worry about everyday spills once quartz is installed, which is a quality-of-life change that rarely makes it into the initial design conversation. Choosing Between the Three There is no single correct answer among these three slabs, and that is exactly why they keep coming up together in the same design conversations across Chicago renovation projects. A flatter white with minimal veining suits kitchens where other elements need to carry the visual interest, while a bolder Calacatta-inspired pattern makes sense when the countertop itself is meant to be the centerpiece of an open floor plan. Budget matters too, and it is worth having a direct conversation with a fabricator about where each option lands before falling in love with a specific slab in a showroom. Lighting, cabinet color, and how the kitchen connects to the rest of the home all play into which pattern will actually look right once installation is finished rather than just in a photo. Whatever direction a homeowner leans, seeing a full slab in person under actual kitchen lighting remains the single most useful step before signing off. Photos only go so far once the countertop is sitting in the room it will live in for years.

DIY NETWORK MEGA DENS
Inspiration for an eclectic basement remodel in Atlanta

This custom charging station and communication desk was Knick-named, Grand Central Station. The cork back allows for notes to family members, lists and also charging, the cords are run into the space below through ‘mouse holes’. The desk is stand-up height and has a couple drawers for pens, paper, etc. the floor was left open for dog food bowls, tucked safely out of traffic. We also waterfalled the countertop down the side to reflect the same on the island, and provide cover for the dog bowls. The top shelf was ideal for housing children’s art work and a portion of her collected and favorite finds.

Photo: Corynne Pless © 2013 Houzz
Example of an eclectic living room design in New York

Jessica Delaney http://www.jessicadelaneyphotography.com/

Example of a mid-sized classic home design design in Denver

The Space Everything you need is near the apartment. Safe neighborhood. Bedroom has a queen size Tempurpedic memory foam cloud bed. Kitchen had great counter space, easy for cooking meals in. Living room has cozy couches, flat screen TV and is a great lounging and relaxing area. There is cable and Wifi in apartment. Full bathroom-shower and tub. Just 3 blocks from an Express Subway stop (4,5,6 line) and Express and Local Bus on the same block. The subway will take you to Times Square in 5 minutes, and all the way to the Southern tip of the city (Freedom Towers - 9/11 Memorial) within 30 minutes. 59th street transit stop is close by (N,R,Q,W and the 4-5-6 lines all servicing up and downtown). The Apartment includes * Large living room with nice decoration. * Plasma 50"" TV LCD * Cable TV * Sofa that can be converted to queen size bed * High Speed Internet - WiFi * Fully Equipped Kitchen * Bright bathroom (shared) * High ceiling * Lot of closet space. * Table with 4 Chairs * Air-conditioning and Heating * Private parking available in the building (hourly rates) * Iron * A/C and heater * Laundry and Dry Cleaning (for a fee) across the street and in the basement Guest access Apartment comes fully equipped with linens, towels, blankets and sufficient furnishings, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, lotion. COMPLIMENTARY Neighborhood Near some of New York's best shops such as Bloomingdale's, Victoria Secret, the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue. You only have 5 min walks from Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum Of Art. And you are surrounded by Restaurants and bars. Close enough to all the tourist attractions, yet you get the quiet beauty of NYC. * Central Park is minutes away * Safe neighborhood, 3 blocks from an Express Subway stop (4,5,6 line) and Express and Local Bus on the same block. The subway will take you to Times Square in 5 minutes, and all the way to the Southern tip of the city (Freedom Towers - 9/11 Memorial) within 30 minutes. 59th street transit stop is close by (N,R,Q,W and the 4-5-6 lines all servicing up and downtown). Interaction with Guests This is the Master Bedroom in a 3 Bedroom apartment with ONE shared bathroom. Apartment comes fully equipped with linens, towels,blankets and sufficient furnishings. Just bring you and be right at home, in the center, of the center of the world! The Neighborhood The neighborhood is extremely central. Many restaurants, shops, entertainments and NYC distractions right on your door! Your home is the quintessential NYC location, safe and convenient, exciting and right in the middle of it all! Close To Bloomingdale's Apple Fifth Avenue Close to Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall Broadway theaters are all within walking distance. Well lit, never (ever) empty, and well policed Plenty for families to do including shopping, movies, Toys R Us, and mega candy stores Getting Around 3 blocks from an Express Subway stop (4,5,6 line) and Express and Local Bus on the same block. The subway will take you to Times Square in 5 minutes, and all the way to the Southern tip of the city (Freedom Towers - 9/11 Memorial) within 30 minutes. 59th street transit stop is close by (N,R,Q,W and the 4-5-6 lines all servicing up and downtown). Other Things to Note I lead a very busy schedule, however, I am always available to assist you with anything you may need. I can suggest places to eat, shop and gain entertainment. You will have complete privacy, should you choose and discretion is appreciated for both parties. Interaction with guest We are always available to assist you with anything you may need. Regarding check-in please contact us 48h prior your arrival, to schedule your check-in with one of our concierge/agent. We can suggest places to eat, shop and gain entertainment. You will have complete privacy, should you choose and discretion is appreciated for both parties. Rules CHECK IN is at 4:00 PM - CHECK OUT is at 11:00AM LATE CHECK IN FEE may apply if the check in after 8pm. Must contact us few days before arrival to arrange the check in time. Please, be respectful of the neighbors. Please call 48h prior to arrival to arrange key pick up by contacting booking@bedrose.com Absolutely no smoking in the apartment. Absolutely no parties in the apartment. We require a 30 night min stay on this apartment. Only guests included in your confirmed reservation are permitted to be in the apartment. Complete names and ages of all guests should be provided before check in. Please leave the apartment in the same condition you entered. Have a great time, be respectful and enjoy your stay!

1950s freestanding desk gray floor, exposed beam, vaulted ceiling and wood ceiling home office photo in San Francisco with white walls

Design-build remodel in Wakefield, MA, featuring a kitchen with a bar area and mudroom space. (#ProjectEclecticEnvy) This remodel showcases painted frameless cabinetry in Rookwood Green, with a white textured subway tile backsplash, seamlessly integrated into a U-shaped layout with a peninsula for seating. The appliance suite in matte black adds contrast, accented with brass and German bronze hardware. A Silgranit apron sink with a fabric skirt and a brass bridge faucet introduce traditional charm. The bar area features a medium gray quartz countertop that mimics concrete, a highly textured geometric backsplash, and a concealed framed television. The mudroom space includes custom built-in storage with a stained bench top and continues the bar area’s backsplash tile. An 8” charcoal hexagon floor tile and Hygge & West Piedmont Wallpaper in Pine - a large-scale patterned wallpaper featuring foxes, birds, and florals - tie the space together with bold character.

An entertaining highlight is the waterslide which is accessed via flagstone steps and ledgerock walls built into the hillside and surrounded by dense plantings to look like they’ve always been there. Sliders drop safely into the pool at a notched landing area separate from the rest of the deep section. Two sheer descent waterfalls add a touch of drama.

Jean Bai, Konstrukt Photo
Example of a small 1950s backyard deck design in San Francisco with a roof extension

The Space Stay in our 3 bedroom designer minimalist appartment! Beautiful Oasis home with fine furnishings in the center of manhattan. A rare find with this amount of space. Comfort, space, & convenience. Nice, Cozy and Quiet 3 Bedrooms FURNISHED apartment located in Upper East Side with great lighting and comfortable space, Our home is located in the Upper East side. SUNNY and minimally decorated with HIGH-END FURNISHINGS! Brand new custom Designed top to bottom from the floors to the lighting. 3 SEPARATE SLEEPING AREAS with 3 bedrooms with a key lock for maximum privacy. Three Queen Beds, 1 in each bedroom & the West Elm Custom Tillary Couch turns into an awesome Twin Bed. The apartment includes - Brand new, modern furniture, including a Large custom Tillary Sectional 1 piece couch. - There are Three Queen Beds, 1 in each bedroom - Bedrooms include brand new TempurPedic queen-sized mattresses and personal closet and dresser space -3 Brand new flat-screen LED TVs in the living room 32 inches each. One in eachr Bedroom. Our home is equipped with hundreds of channel and high-speed WiFi internet access. - Unlimited calling with home phone (located in the kitchen) - Air Conditioning in each room - Extras included such as hair dryer, and iron and ironing board - Professional cleaning service before every stay - Plenty of clean linens, towels, pillows, etc provided! - The master bedroom has been converted to Living room and bedroom with the couch - Fully Equipped Kitchen, Bright bathroom, High ceiling, Lot of closet space, Table with 4 Chairs, Private parking available near the building (hourly rates), 9 Foot Ceilings, Parquet wood flooring throughout Very Safe neighborhood Every room is tastefully designed to satisfy each of your needs. The accommodation includes fine comfortable bedding, plenty of thick towels, and a fully- stocked kitchen for your cooking pleasures, with new Dishwasher, Stove, & GE Refrigerator. Access to Internet wifi, cable TV, phone and more. A true delight! Just 2 blocks from an Express Subway stop (4,5,6 line) and Express and Local Bus on the same block. The subway will take you to Times Square in 5 minutes, and all the way to the Southern tip of the city (Freedom Towers - 9/11 Memorial) within 30 minutes. 59th street transit stop is close by (N,R,Q,W and the 4-5-6 lines all servicing up and downtown). Guest Access Guests will have access to the entire home and everything inside. We have all of the basics. Pots, Pans, Tea Maker, Cups, Utensils, Plates & basic Toiletries. You will have many fresh towels and linens for your stay. - Brand new kitchen including stainless steel Fridge & dish washer, New oven/stove, microwave and electric hot water boiler. Kitchen is ready for all your cooking needs with pots, pans, utensils, cutting board, Knife Block. *This is not a hotel and we do not provide the services of a hotel* Interaction with Guests I am always available day or night just in case you need anything or something comes up. Always checking my phone and getting back as swiftly as possible. We require a 30 night min stay on this apartment. The Neighborhood This Luxurious appartment through 3 Bedroom is situated in the much sought after Upper East side area of Manhattan. a short walk to Central Park and some of New York's finest shopping districts. An abundance of eateries & nightlife surrounding this entire District. The Center of Manhattan perfect situated in the lower part of the Island. Enjoy the Vibrant atmosphere of East side Manhattan. The area is host to some of the most famous museums in the world. The string of museums along Fifth Avenue fronting Central Park has been dubbed "Museum Mile", running between 82nd and 105th Streets.

Alta Window Shadings. Wonderfully wide for larger windows and doors. Up to 120" wide, in fact. Stay in proportion with three vane sizes to suit the scale of your windows.

The Space Stay in our 3 bedroom designer minimalist appartment! Beautiful Oasis home with fine furnishings in the center of manhattan. A rare find with this amount of space. Comfort, space, & convenience. Nice, Cozy and Quiet 3 Bedrooms FURNISHED apartment located in Upper East Side with great lighting and comfortable space, Our home is located in the Upper East side. SUNNY and minimally decorated with HIGH-END FURNISHINGS! Brand new custom Designed top to bottom from the floors to the lighting. 3 SEPARATE SLEEPING AREAS with 3 bedrooms with a key lock for maximum privacy. Three Queen Beds, 1 in each bedroom & the West Elm Custom Tillary Couch turns into an awesome Twin Bed. The apartment includes - Brand new, modern furniture, including a Large custom Tillary Sectional 1 piece couch. - There are Three Queen Beds, 1 in each bedroom - Bedrooms include brand new TempurPedic queen-sized mattresses and personal closet and dresser space -3 Brand new flat-screen LED TVs in the living room 32 inches each. One in eachr Bedroom. Our home is equipped with hundreds of channel and high-speed WiFi internet access. - Unlimited calling with home phone (located in the kitchen) - Air Conditioning in each room - Extras included such as hair dryer, and iron and ironing board - Professional cleaning service before every stay - Plenty of clean linens, towels, pillows, etc provided! - The master bedroom has been converted to Living room and bedroom with the couch - Fully Equipped Kitchen, Bright bathroom, High ceiling, Lot of closet space, Table with 4 Chairs, Private parking available near the building (hourly rates), 9 Foot Ceilings, Parquet wood flooring throughout Very Safe neighborhood Every room is tastefully designed to satisfy each of your needs. The accommodation includes fine comfortable bedding, plenty of thick towels, and a fully- stocked kitchen for your cooking pleasures, with new Dishwasher, Stove, & GE Refrigerator. Access to Internet wifi, cable TV, phone and more. A true delight! Just 2 blocks from an Express Subway stop (4,5,6 line) and Express and Local Bus on the same block. The subway will take you to Times Square in 5 minutes, and all the way to the Southern tip of the city (Freedom Towers - 9/11 Memorial) within 30 minutes. 59th street transit stop is close by (N,R,Q,W and the 4-5-6 lines all servicing up and downtown). Guest Access Guests will have access to the entire home and everything inside. We have all of the basics. Pots, Pans, Tea Maker, Cups, Utensils, Plates & basic Toiletries. You will have many fresh towels and linens for your stay. - Brand new kitchen including stainless steel Fridge & dish washer, New oven/stove, microwave and electric hot water boiler. Kitchen is ready for all your cooking needs with pots, pans, utensils, cutting board, Knife Block. *This is not a hotel and we do not provide the services of a hotel* Interaction with Guests I am always available day or night just in case you need anything or something comes up. Always checking my phone and getting back as swiftly as possible. We require a 30 night min stay on this apartment. The Neighborhood This Luxurious appartment through 3 Bedroom is situated in the much sought after Upper East side area of Manhattan. a short walk to Central Park and some of New York's finest shopping districts. An abundance of eateries & nightlife surrounding this entire District. The Center of Manhattan perfect situated in the lower part of the Island. Enjoy the Vibrant atmosphere of East side Manhattan. The area is host to some of the most famous museums in the world. The string of museums along Fifth Avenue fronting Central Park has been dubbed "Museum Mile", running between 82nd and 105th Streets.

The Space Stay in our 3 bedroom designer minimalist appartment! Beautiful Oasis home with fine furnishings in the center of manhattan. A rare find with this amount of space. Comfort, space, & convenience. Nice, Cozy and Quiet 3 Bedrooms FURNISHED apartment located in Upper East Side with great lighting and comfortable space, Our home is located in the Upper East side. SUNNY and minimally decorated with HIGH-END FURNISHINGS! Brand new custom Designed top to bottom from the floors to the lighting. 3 SEPARATE SLEEPING AREAS with 3 bedrooms with a key lock for maximum privacy. Three Queen Beds, 1 in each bedroom & the West Elm Custom Tillary Couch turns into an awesome Twin Bed. The apartment includes - Brand new, modern furniture, including a Large custom Tillary Sectional 1 piece couch. - There are Three Queen Beds, 1 in each bedroom - Bedrooms include brand new TempurPedic queen-sized mattresses and personal closet and dresser space -3 Brand new flat-screen LED TVs in the living room 32 inches each. One in eachr Bedroom. Our home is equipped with hundreds of channel and high-speed WiFi internet access. - Unlimited calling with home phone (located in the kitchen) - Air Conditioning in each room - Extras included such as hair dryer, and iron and ironing board - Professional cleaning service before every stay - Plenty of clean linens, towels, pillows, etc provided! - The master bedroom has been converted to Living room and bedroom with the couch - Fully Equipped Kitchen, Bright bathroom, High ceiling, Lot of closet space, Table with 4 Chairs, Private parking available near the building (hourly rates), 9 Foot Ceilings, Parquet wood flooring throughout Very Safe neighborhood Every room is tastefully designed to satisfy each of your needs. The accommodation includes fine comfortable bedding, plenty of thick towels, and a fully- stocked kitchen for your cooking pleasures, with new Dishwasher, Stove, & GE Refrigerator. Access to Internet wifi, cable TV, phone and more. A true delight! Just 2 blocks from an Express Subway stop (4,5,6 line) and Express and Local Bus on the same block. The subway will take you to Times Square in 5 minutes, and all the way to the Southern tip of the city (Freedom Towers - 9/11 Memorial) within 30 minutes. 59th street transit stop is close by (N,R,Q,W and the 4-5-6 lines all servicing up and downtown). Guest Access Guests will have access to the entire home and everything inside. We have all of the basics. Pots, Pans, Tea Maker, Cups, Utensils, Plates & basic Toiletries. You will have many fresh towels and linens for your stay. - Brand new kitchen including stainless steel Fridge & dish washer, New oven/stove, microwave and electric hot water boiler. Kitchen is ready for all your cooking needs with pots, pans, utensils, cutting board, Knife Block. *This is not a hotel and we do not provide the services of a hotel* Interaction with Guests I am always available day or night just in case you need anything or something comes up. Always checking my phone and getting back as swiftly as possible. We require a 30 night min stay on this apartment. The Neighborhood This Luxurious appartment through 3 Bedroom is situated in the much sought after Upper East side area of Manhattan. a short walk to Central Park and some of New York's finest shopping districts. An abundance of eateries & nightlife surrounding this entire District. The Center of Manhattan perfect situated in the lower part of the Island. Enjoy the Vibrant atmosphere of East side Manhattan. The area is host to some of the most famous museums in the world. The string of museums along Fifth Avenue fronting Central Park has been dubbed "Museum Mile", running between 82nd and 105th Streets.