What We LIKE Guide to Home Goods Shopping In NYC

Michelle Varian

New York is home to so many fabulous home goods stores, it’s sometimes difficult to know where to start.  We have a select group of unique stores that are our favorite go to places whenever we are in need of a home update.  From vintage finds, to locally made ceramics, to the latest in modern design, here is our list.
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abc store

 

ABC Carpet & Home

Perhaps we’re bias, but we think this might be the most beautiful home goods store in the world.  From their range of organic and sustainable furniture, vintage finds, kitchen goods, luxury bedding to an entire floor dedicated to exquisite rugs, this store is a must visit for anyone who loves home goods.
ABC Carpet & Home. 888 Broadway (at 18th Street). NY. 10003. Tel: 212 473 3000
 

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a&g merch

 

A&G Merch

This Williamsburg home goods store stocks affordable and clever pieces to update your home.  You’ll find furniture, interesting mirrors and quirky pieces to decorate your home.  Plates, wall hangings and lighting are stacked high in this fun Brooklyn store.
A&G Merch. 111 North 6th Street. Williamsburg. NY. 11249. Tel: 718 388 1779
 

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Aero

Aero Studios

Aero has been a major player in the New York interior design community for over 20 years.  Owned by famed New York interior designer Thomas O’brien, his latest finds and obsessions from around the world are beautifully displayed in this Soho space. Naturally the staff here are well versed in all things interiors and their impeccable taste makes selecting the right pieces easy.
Aero Studios. 419 Broome Street. NY. 10013. 212 966 1500
 

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Blu Dot

Made in Minnesota and sold in a minimalist Soho space, Blu Dot makes well-designed modern furniture at a relatively low-cost. From sideboards, tables, desks and chairs to beautiful modern light fixtures, this store offers well crafted furniture that looks much more expensive that it’s price tag.
Blu Dot. 140 Wooster Street. New York. 10012. Tel: 212 780 9058
 

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Clic Gallery

 

Clic Gallery & General Store

The founder and former owner of the Calypso St Barth’s chain has quietly opened one of the chicest stores in New York.  They sell an amazing array of stunning and affordable art photographs, beautifully framed and wildly cool, the biggest problem is deciding which one to opt for. There’s also a general store filled with luscious throws, cushions, rugs and luxurious home goods.
Clic Gallery & General Store. 255 Centre Street. NY. 10013. Tel: 212 966 2766
 

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Holler and Squall

Holler & Squall

A one-stop shop for all the best in vintage furniture finds and unusual decorative objects.  This Brooklyn store saves you having to scour markets and eBay for those brilliant finds that make a house an impressive home.
Holler & Squall. 119 Atlantic Avenue. Brooklyn. 11201. Tel: 347 223 4685
 

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John Derian Dry Goods

Tucked away on a sleepy side street just off of the Bowery, this is one of those magical stores that you find yourself wanting things you never knew you needed porcelain plates from France, candles to die for, art by Hugo Guinness as well as John Derian’s own vast range of  highly collectible decoupage plates and objects.
John Derian Dry Goods. 6 East 2nd Street. New York. 10003. Tel: 212 677 3917
 

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michele varian store

 

Michele Varian

This is one of those one-stop stores where you can literally pick up pieces to redesign your entire apartment.  From furniture to Michele’s own line of wall papers and textiles, there’s adorable finds like hand-made sling shots and beautiful objects galore.  The old-fashioned counter is chock full of wonderful jewelry by local designers to you can pick up a little treat for yourself here as well as your home.
Michele Varian. 27 Howard Street. Soho. NY. 10013. Tel: 212 343 0033 
 
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The Future Perfect

The Future Perfect

With its roots in the Brooklyn design scene, this Soho based store is a treasure trove of locally made goods, furniture, special edition objects and unique lighting as well as a source for great design from around the world.
The Future Perfect. 55 Great Jones Street. New York. 10012. Tel: 212 473 2500
 

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the primary essentials

 

The Primary Essentials

This Cobble Hill store is an absolute treasure trove of all things hand crafted and independently made.  They carry an incredible selection of ceramics, candles, gorgeous objects for your office and wonderful tabletop lines
The Primary Essentials. 372 Atlantic Avenue. NY. 11217. Tel: 718 522 1804
 
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What We LIKE Guide To Boutique Shopping In NYC

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We often get asked for our favorite fashion stores in New York and apart from all the big names that everyone knows and loves (Barney’s, Bergdorfs etc) we have a very select list of places we check out every season.  Right now many of them have exceptional end of season summer sales, so not only can you pick up some of the best scores in the City, but you can probably get them for a total bargain.

 

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BEAUTIFUL DREAMERS, Williamsburg

Owned by  fashions stylists April Hughes and Marina Burini, this might be one of the most beautiful stores in New York.  From their travels on high-fashion shoots, these stylists gather the most wonderful designers you’ll be thrilled to discover. Most are small, independent labels which make us swoon whenever we visit. As well as clothes and accessories, they sell wonderful coffee table books, organic cosmetics and locally made ceramics.

Beautiful Dreamers, 326 Wythe Avenue (Corner Wythe & South 1st Street). Williamsburg, NY. 11249. Tel: 718 388 4884
 
 
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BIRD, Williamsburg

Bird’s owner, Brooklynite Jen Mankins, scours the world and New York City for the most fabulous brands imaginable.  A great place to get the best pieces from big-name designers like Alexander Wang and Acne Studios, but also to discover homegrown and amazing international designers, that you won’t find elsewhere. They sell many of our favorite New York designers including Suno,  A Détacher and WWAKE jewelry.

Bird, 203 Grand Street, Williamsburg, NY. 11211. Tel: 718 388 1655
 
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DOVER STREET MARKET, Lexington Ave

This new department store from Commes de Garçons’ Rei Kawakubo is not only brilliant for super high fashion finds, but for sneaker lovers too.  Their Nike department stocks the kinds of sneakers on short-release that will have your friends falling to the floor with envy.  Rose Bakery on the store’s ground floor is also a wonderful place to rest and enjoy fresh pressed juice and a scrumptious salad after a hard day shopping.

Dover Street Market. 160 Lexington Avenue (at 30th Street). NY. 10016. Tel: 646 837 7750
 
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marlow goods
 

MARLOW GOODS, Williamsburg

Hidden upstairs above the super yummy cafe Marlow & Sons, this store sells a little bit of everything we love.  From Breton, their own line of  handbags (which we’re obsessed with) to local pottery and jewelry, they also carry our favorite NYC fashion brands like Ulla Johnson. This is one of New York’s best kept secrets.

Marlow Goods. 81 Broadway. Brooklyn. NY. 11249. Tel: 718 384 1441
 
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 Owen NYC
 

OWEN, West Village

In a sea of big box chain stores that now fill the Meatpacking district, this independently owned boutique is full of super cool fashion finds for both men and women. Phillip Salem, Owen’s 20 something owner, hand picks each piece himself, with a goal of making everything both fashionable and timeless at the same time.

Owen. 809 Washington Street. NY. 10014. Tel: 212 524 9770
 
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OPENING CEREMONY, Soho

This flagship store in Soho is always a fun place to take a spin around.  The wild and wonderful high-fashion selection is peppered with affordable basics from their own Opening Ceremony line as well as carrying shoes and handbags to die for.

Opening Ceremony. 35 Howard Street. Soho. NY. 10013. Tel: 212 219 2688
 
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PILGRIM SURF & SUPPLY, Williamsburg

A super hip destination for the cool crowd in Brooklyn.  For women, they carry an exceptional range of bikinis and clothes from New York designers like Ace & Jig and the kind of super fashionable streetwear that you’d expect to see on the best dressed guys in Williamsburg. They also sell select vinyl and a small selection of well-made outdoor and camping gear.

Pilgrim Surf & Supply. 68 North 3rd Street. Williamsburg. 11249. Tel: 718 218 7456
 
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SATURDAY’S SURF, Soho

With a really good coffee bar at the front of the store and an airy garden in the back to hang out in, even if you’re not shopping for super cool streetwear or a gorgeous new surf board, the crowd watching here is second to none.

Saturday’s Surf. 31 Crosby Street. Soho. NY. 10013. Tel: 212 966 7875
 
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STEVEN ALAN ANNEX, Tribeca

Of the many Steven Alan stores now throughout the country, the Tribeca Annex, the first and still best of the mini-chain, is by far their best curated.  Filled with pieces from super cool local designers like Rachel Comey and Mansur Garviel bags, they also have a great range of pieces from well-known names like APC and Band of Outsiders.  They carry the much sought after Shinola watches as well as a brilliant collection of vintage watches, sunglasses and indie jewelry designers, with their menswear section at the back being just as well curated as their women’s.

Steven Alan Annex.103 Franklin Street. Tribeca. NY. 10013. Tel: 212 343 0692
 
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SWORDS-SMITH, Williamsburg

A beautifully designed retail-space slightly off the beaten path in Williamsburg, Swords-Smith carries men’s and women’s lines from independent designers from around the globe.  A well-curated selection of clothes, shoes, bags and jewelry, it’s also a great place to discover new design talent.

Swords-Smith. 98 South 4th Street, Williamsburg. NY. 11211. Tel: 347 599 2969
 
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WARM, Nolita

The ultimate cool-girl store, Warm carries chic designers from Paris like Rosanna alongside local New York designers like Ryan Roche and Upstate.  As the name suggests, Warm is a fantastic place to pick up all things beachy  (in winter they transform into a ski chalet). They have a fantastic apothecary section which carries small-batch natural products as well as their own divine smelling Warm body oil. The back of the store has a great collection of art books, gorgeous children’s clothes and a small but super cool selection of shoes.

Warm. 181 Mott Street. Nolita. NY. 10012. Tel: 212 925 1200
 
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Gigi Burris’ Lower East Side

gigi burris whatwelikeMilliner Gigi Burris creates luxurious hats and covetable headwear all by hand in her Lower East Side atelier. Trained at both Parson’s in New York as well as in Paris, Gigi makes the kind of hats that make us swoon.  From super high-fashion pieces to beautifully made Downtown cool-girl summer hats, Gigi is inspired to keep alive the fine art of hat making by using only the most exquisite materials and couture craftsmanship.  

As well as having a cult following within the fashion industry, Gigi’s hats have been worn by some of the most stylish celebrities today including Angelina Jolie, Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Living and working on the Lower East Side, one of New York’s hippest neighborhoods, we asked Gigi to share with us her favorite Lower East Side Neighborhood spots.

gigi burris

Il Laboratorio Del Gelato

 

This is one of my favorite spots to cool down in the summer with gelato in the most interesting and fresh flavors.  A personal favorite is the  blueberry and honey lavender.  The place is very clinical feeling, which I think makes it very Margiela in spirit.
Il Laboratorio Del Gelato. 188 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002. Tel: 212 343 3922

 

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El Rey

 

This is the most charming coffee shop / bar on the Lower East Side.  The strong iced coffee and sesame banana cake are just one my excuses to hold almost every morning meeting I take at this place.  They serve fantastic wines in the later part of the day, so evening gatherings are just as fun!
El Rey. 100 Stanton Street. 10002. Tel: 212 260 3950

 

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Mission Mexican

 

I’m mourning the temporary closing of Mission Chinese, but have managed to find solace in the incredible Mexican concoctions of Danny Bowien at Mission Cantina.  A highlight – the Spicy Chicken Wings!
Mission Cantina. 172 Orchard Street. 10002. Tel: 212 254 2233

 

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Essex Market

 

This old-school grocery market is the best for inexpensive fresh produce, cheese from Saxelbys or Heritage Ham from the butcher.  It’s a great place to wander around and remember a former glory of the Lower East Side.
Essex Market. 120 Essex Street. 10002. Tel: 212 312 3603

 

gigi burris hat

A Fashionably New Gallery


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This summer sees the soft opening of Kasher|Potamkin, a gallery that we predict will fast become an essential player on the New York art and fashion scene.  The brainchild of Andi Potamkin, Kasher|Potamkin is a contemporary art gallery and store where fine art works will be shown in a store atmosphere.   Furniture, photography, ceramics, sculpture and fashion will be curated alongside unique objects d’art, displaying them as you would place things in your own (dream) home.  Andi explained “the energy of the gallery is one that invites people in to come and look around, to discover treasures and become familiar with fine art in a way that the classic gallery setting does not allow”.
Andi has spent the last few years juggling a career as photography curator at Steven Kasher gallery in Chelsea as well as curating her own gallery space at 3 Squares Studio.  Having staged sensational shows from celebrated fashion photographers including Miles Aldridge, it’s only fitting that the official opening of Kasher|Potamkin will take place in September during New York Fashion Week.
Home for Andi is an airy art filled apartment on the waterfront of Williamsburg with the kind of killer Manhattan views that take your breath away.  When we visited her to talk about the gallery, we asked her to share her favorite neighborhood spots.

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Andi Potamkin’s Guide to Williamsburg

 

1 or 8 – Best sushi restaurant in Williamsburg, very clean and white.
66 S 2nd St, Brooklyn, NY 11211. Tel (718) 384-2152
House of Small Wonder – An incredible Japanese brunch spot. I can get some sashimi and avocado and Jordan can get a croque monsieur. Tiny and charming… Truly a house of small wonder.
77 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211. Tel (718) 388-6160
Mogador – Amazing Mediterranean food. They have a great indoor garden in the back.
133 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249. Tel (718) 486-9222
 
Post Office – This is an incredible whiskey bar with epic bar food. Max and Alla, the owners, are pretty much the most badass couple in Williamsburg. They make their own beef jerky and it is so good.
188 Havemeyer Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211. Tel: (718) 963 2574)
Fette Sau – The BEST barbecue. Not just in Brooklyn, but in the whole world.
354 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211. Tel: (718) 963-3404
Dépanneur  – My favorite little grocery store. They have great yogurts and cheese and they make awesome sandwiches.
242 Wythe Ave, New York, NY 11211. Tel: (347) 227-8424
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Sprout – A super sweet little flower shop. They always have beautiful flowers and I can spend an hour in there putting together one little arrangement
44 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11249. Tel: (718) 388-4440
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Sweet William – I don’t have kids, but some of my friends do so I shop here for them. This place makes me wish I had kids.
324 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249. Tel: (718) 218-6946
 Gutter – This bowling alley has no frills but it is the perfect place to go have some fun with a big group of people. I have some wonderful memories from this place.
200 N 14th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211. Tel: (718) 387-3585
The East River Ferry – My favorite way to get into the city. When the weather is nice, they open up the top of the ferry and you can sit outside. It is just so pleasant.
N 5th St, New York, NY 11211. Tel: (800) 533-3779
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Photo Credits: Photographs by Dorenna Newton. Art Direction by Kate Cameron.

Alasdair’s April Johnson Shows Us The Gowanus

AP-April5April Johnson is the founder of super cool New York line Alasdair NY.  A former stylist, April’s Alasdair line captures that perfect balance of being the kind of wardrobe staples you can’t live without while being super fashion at the same time.  It’s fitting that April lives in one of New York’s coolest neighborhoods, the Gowanus, a part of Brooklyn that has fast become the stomping ground for many of New York’s most design savvy creative types.

We love the photo above of April strolling along Caroll Street on the Gowanus. It perfectly sums up how effortlessly cool Alasdair is and the neighborhood all in one shot.

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April Johnson’s Guide To The Gowanus

 

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Cafe Martin
My neighbor asked me if I had ever gone to Cafe Martin to get a coffee and I had not so I made my way there finally and now I’m a regular.  Martin doesn’t say much but he makes the best cappuccino in Brooklyn.  It’s a quiet little spot always full of characters.

Cafe Martin. 355 5th Avenue. Brooklyn, NY. 11215. Tel:

AP-April2Bird
What can I say about BIRD?  Well I have always loved this store for it’s eclectic mix of my favorite designers.  We have been selling Alasdair there since the first season.  Jen is special.  You can really feel the hand picked pieces are so carefully gathered to tell the story of the season.
Bird. 316 5th Avenue (between 2nd & 3rd Streets). Brooklyn. NY. Tel: 718 768 4940
AP-April4Nightingale 9
I am a huge fan of Vietnamese and when Kerry Diamond and her boyfriend Rob opened this spot I couldn’t have been more delighted.  The pho is some of the best I’ve ever eaten.  The salads are the perfect lunch.  It’s making me hungry just writing about it.  Let’s go now!
Nightingale 9. 345 Smith Street. Brooklyn, New York. 11231. Tel: 347 689 4699
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Photo credit – Annelise Phillips

The Primary Essentials

DSC_9781The Primary Essentials is one of those addictive stores that makes us want to visit often because we want absolutely everything we lay our eyes on.  Located on Atlantic Avenue in South Brooklyn, this super hip retail strip is fast becoming one of the best shopping areas in Brooklyn. The Primary Essentials is a one stop shop for anyone who loves good design.

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The store is the brain child of Lauren Snyder, a former fashion stylist, whose incredible eye is apparent from the gorgeous store design (though she admits to help from her architect boyfriend) to the beautiful and unique items she seeks out for the store.

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Lauren’s standards for what she sells make perfect sense, she explained to us that she seeks out only what is functional, special, unique and beautiful, in essence only what she would want to buy for herself. Many items in store are sourced locally and most made in small batches, like the exquisite heirloom quality linens from designers like Auntie Oti and Caroline Z. Hurley.

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Trying to only stock items that someone would truly have space in their life for, the store is filled with gorgeous discoveries.  We were fascinated with Equilateral Nails, beautiful simple nails (which look like jewelry themselves) to display your jewelry on the wall. They also carry a lovely selection of gorgeous modern jewelry and accessories.

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If you love ceramics, then The Primary Essentials will be your new favorite haunt. They carry a vast array of stand-out pieces including ceramics from Clam Lab and Brooklyn based Helen Levi.

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We love Lauren’s fabulous taste so asked her to give us a list of her favorite neighborhood hangouts in South Brooklyn.

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SOUTH BROOKLYN GUIDE by Lauren Snyder

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Book Court – A Great neighborhood book store, always an inspiring place to browse.
163 Court St. Brooklyn, NY 11201. Tel: 718 875-3677
Roman’s – Hands down my favorite restaurant, I frequent often and am always in awe of how good the food is every time. The menu is an always changing take on Italian.
243 Dekalb Ave.Brooklyn, NY 11205. Tel: 718 622-5300
Littleneck – Great spot for oysters and seafood, a fun low key spot.
288 3rd Ave. Brooklyn, New York, NY 11215. Tel: 718 522-1921
French Garment Cleaners – A wonderful neighborhood clothing shop, with a great roster of designers for women and men.
85 Lafayette Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11217. Tel: 718 797-0011
Stem – A charming little flower shop that makes me happy every time I go.
112 S. Oxford St. Brooklyn. NY 11217. Tel: 718 722 4767
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The Primary Essentials. 372 Atlantic Avenue. Brooklyn. 11217. Tel: 718 522 1804
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Photo of Lauren courtesy of WaitingForSaturday.com