Happy Friday! Today we conclude our shopping tour of New York City. While there are a gazillion places to check out, my main criteria for choosing these shops are the inspiration they provide for artists and crafters. A store isn't just about the items on sale. It's also about the experience and the feeling it wraps you with while you're inside, even until you leave. Does it make you feel luxurious? Pampered? Rich? Or extremely poor {because of the exorbitant price tags!}? After visiting the ones on my list, I hope you'll agree that they spark some creativity within -- like you're itching to make a version of something you saw.
Today, we're still in SOHO.
All Saints Spitalfields is a British clothing brand that I first discovered in Miami. What drew me into their stores is the window display: rows upon rows of vintage sewing machines. The clothes are hip, cool, and in muted shades of black, white, grey and beige. The accessories are edgy and utilitarian. You'll be impressed with the craftsmanship.
Pearl River Mart is a three-level department store showcasing furniture, clothing, fabric, kitchenware, Asian cooking ingredients, paper goods, herbal medicine, and New York souvenirs. I come here for the ceramic dishes, paper lanterns and garlands, and inexpensive party favors. There are also restrooms in the basement, in case you need to make a stop.
Muji is a Japanese brand and branches of this store have opened in many parts of the city. Inside, you'll find clothes and accessories, bags and luggage, toiletries, stationery, furniture, storage and kitchenware. I really like the practicality of the items, their high-quality with a "no-brand name exposed" philosophy.
Irish fashion designer Orla Kiely just opened a store in SOHO. While her bags and clothes are a little over my budget, her home and office accessories are pretty affordable.
Loopy Mango rocks a flea market vibe with ephemera like animal heads, textiles, and jewelry. They carry non-vintage pieces too, like correspondence cards, fragrant soaps and knitting supplies like yarn, needles and books. They offer knitting classes as well.
Here are just a few curiosities at the back of the Loopy Mango shop.
A visit to Jonathan Adler's shop is guaranteed to make you smile. His home goods are bright and bold, and the ceramics he makes have a witty sense of humor.
Walls filled with charming fabric and the softest yarn is what you'll expect at Purl Soho. Add needlepoint, embroidery, crochet, and machine sewing to that {for both supplies and classes} -- it's a crafter's dream store!
Dwell Studio has made a name for itself with beddings, home decor, and nursery basics. Founder Christiane Lemieux is also the author of Undecorate. Now, they've got an address to call their own here in SOHO. Browse through the store and fantasize about that dream home you want to dress up.
British designer and author Rachel Ashwell used to have a TV show called "Shabby Chic" which I really liked. She went to flea markets and outfitted a home with her finds -- white linens, floral fabrics, mismatched silverware, crystal candlesticks and chandeliers. Whenever I step into her store, I'm transported to the English countryside where the vibe is relaxed, and I want to stay there forever.
If you're craving something sweet, make a beeline at Georgetown Cupcake. It's a branch of the cupcakery born in Washington, DC and made popular with the TLC reality show "DC Cupcakes".
I hope this week's shopping guide will be helpful the next time you visit New York City. I wish you all a marvelous weekend!
Addresses:
All Saints Spitalfields: 512 Broadway between Spring and Broome Streets
Pearl River Mart: 477 Broadway between Broome and Grand Streets
Muji: 455 Broadway between Grand and Howard Streets
Orla Kiely: 5 Mercer Street and Howard Street
Loopy Mango: 78 Grand Street between Green and Wooster Streets
Jonathan Adler: 47 Greene Street between Grand and Broome Streets
Purl Soho: 459 Broome Street between Greene and Mercer Streets
Dwell Studio: 77 Wooster Street between Broome and Spring Streets
Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic: 117 Mercer Street between Spring and Prince Streets
Georgetown Cupcake: 111 Mercer Street between Spring and Prince Streets
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