NYC: Top 5 homewares gems

on 19 April, 2013 at 08:20

Shopping in New York isn’t all heels and handbags. Sydney based interior stylist Emma Blomfield shares her favourite homewares shopping gems in the Big Apple and her tips on getting your goodies home.

I recently visited NYC for the second time in two years. It was the middle of winter and I was not prepared for the bitterly cold temps. Thankfully the New Yorkers are prepared and air con’s are blasting warm air in every store and café making it a little more bearable for us summer loving Aussies!

Loving the snow!

As an interior designer, every time I visit a new place (or re-visit in this case) I always go armed with a list of homewares and furniture stores I want to check out. Before I left for my trip I read through Sibella Court’s “The Stylist’s Guide to NYC” which was a great taste tester for what was to come.

1. Anthropologie
Once I arrived in NYC I made a bee line for Anthropologie. We have nothing like it in Australia. I stocked up on small pottery items that I could fit into my suitcase and stationary. Anthropologie is famous for its quirky design, both in store and the actual product designs. They sell everything from books and fashion to homewares and door handles and so much more. It’s worth visiting their stores for the visual merchandising alone; their store windows are like no other.

Country lovin’ in the big city at Anthropologie

Shopping tip: You can order online from Australia but the shipping prices are a little ridiculous.

2. Jonathan Adler
Jonathan Adler is best known for his bold, bright homewares and décor. He designs bed linen, cushions, pottery and has also written a number of fab books. There are some gorgeous upholstery pieces in his store too, like bedheads and statement armchairs. The ladies in the Green St store are delightful and extremely helpful.

Gorgeous styling at the Jonathan Adler store

Shopping tip: The store manager told me it’s no trouble for them to organise shipping of any product back to Australia so if you fall in love with an ottoman, it can easily be shipped home for you.

3. Calypso Home
A few streets down from Jonathan Adler is Calypso Home, again we have nothing like it in Australia. My favourite pieces are their lamps and rugs. I always stock up on stationary, agate coasters and drool over all the amazing rug designs and colours.

Shopping tip: They are happy to ship anything back to Australia for you. Love it.

4. Bleeker Street
My absolute favourite street in New York is Bleeker St and its surrounding side streets. There are gorgeous fashion boutiques everywhere you look and it’s also home to Magnolia Bakery – where Carrie gets her red velvet cupcakes from!
The Diptyque flagship store is along Bleeker St and is beautifully decorated. Walking in is like entering a new world, candles line every wall and a chandelier made of Diptyque candle glasses shines bright from the ceiling. The candles in this store are about $30 cheaper than we pay for them at home so I suggest you stock up!

Shopping tip: They can arrange to ship candles home for you too so if you want to order in bulk or if you fall in love with their products and need to order more from Oz, the lovely ladies will arrange all of this and send shipping quotes via email first.

5. Henri Bendel
And last but not least on my must-see list is Henri Bendel. Wowee this store is something else. Beautifully decorated and full of so many gorgeous things, Henri Bendel is mainly fashion, make up and jewellery but their own range of candles are to. die. for.. You can thank me later!