orange and woodgrain

a seat on the V train

I am always pleased when I can ride the V instead of the E train in the morning, not only because it is less crowded and cooler, but because it has a better color scheme. Yes, that may sound strange. That I love the color scheme of a subway.

But think about it. The orange and the faux woodgrain color scheme that you can find on the V and a number of other lines is gloriously modern. Take a look at the lobby (pictured below) at the Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel in Midtown.

You may remember that I have written about this hotel before, singing the praises of the mosaic door handles on the 51st Street side. There are many nice juxtapositions of orange and woodgrain in the lobby, recently redone to reflect the Mid-century modern look in which the hotel was originally designed in 1961. And when the lobby gets crowded, it looks somewhat like the V. Except I can always get a seat on the V.

the Doubletree lobby in a rare calm moment, bathed in warm orange tones

the orange George Nelson clock against the woodgrain wall


the lobby at rush hour, and not a seat to be had