There’s no shortage of design inspiration in New York. Whether you’re on the lookout for something special or in need of inspiration for your own store, here’s our pick of New York’s top design destinations.
Coming Soon, Lower East Side
Helena Barquet and Fabiana Faria opened this downtown New York boutique a few years after working very closely together in the art world. Inside is a beautifully handpicked collection of home furniture, accessories and nifty giftables from young designers, and the space is constantly changing with items you never thought you needed until now. The pieces are timeless yet still accessible, with everything from contemporary to vintage furniture from the 60s and 70s, ranging from $7 to $7,000.
37 Orchard Street
Roman and Williams - The Guild, Soho
The interior design duo Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch behind Le Coucou and The Boom Boom Room (to name a few) opened their first ever physical store and design buffs have fallen in love with it. It’s become the only place you can buy the designers’ own signature collection of furniture, lighting and accessories, as well as exclusive works from craftspeople around the world. More than just a furniture store, you’ll find Emily Thompson’s wild flower shop, as well as an elegant French café, La Mercerie, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and created in partnership with restaurateur Stephen Starr and led by chef Marie-Aude Rose.
53 Howard Street
BDDW, Soho
The BDDW store on Crosby Street is a nod to artist Tyler Hays’ creative genius and craftsmanship. Everything you see from the furniture to the rugs and ceramics is handcrafted in Tyler’s studio in Philadelphia, so expect a higher price tag. Born in Oregon, a lot of his aesthetics and use of raw materials are informed by nature. The furniture, including the one-of-a-kind beds and dining tables, are all exquisitely made using heirloom quality solid wood and finished with natural oils. BDDW also showcases the work of other artists – all handmade, of course.
5 Crosby Street
Concrete + Water, Williamsburg
Concrete + Water has cemented itself as one of Williamsburg’s most well-known lifestyle boutiques. Owners Hannah and JD (she a former stylist and he a DJ) had a clear vision for what this borough was missing – a space where men and women can find fun and accessible clothes and home goods from harder-to-find labels – an introduction to neighbourhood fashion they call it. Prices range from $50 for a t-shirt to $850 for a bomber jacket, and brands currently in stock include KARA, Hentsch Man and Ganni. They’ve even got a 600 sq. ft. backyard for hosting special events and trunk shows – space that’s hard to find in Brooklyn.
485 Driggs Avenue
A/D/O Shop, Greenpoint
Car brand MINI believes that design and designers are the keys to the future so they created A/D/O: a dedicated space for professional designers, start-ups and the community to explore new boundaries in design under one roof. Open to the general public A/D/O’s core purpose is to nurture artistic development, with community workspaces, a fabrication lab, exhibition space and access to Urban-X, the accelerator founded by MINI to support start-ups working on improving urban life. A/D/O also houses the new Scandinavian restaurant Norman, as well as a design shop that's in partnership with Sight Unseen, selling high-end decor, books and accessories from established and up-and-coming designers.
29 Norman Avenue