Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » brooklyn design guide

i seem to get a dozen or so emails a day asking for great recommendations for design shopping in brooklyn. so i thought it might be a bit more practical if i created an online shopping guide for brooklyn that could be regularly updated with comments, notes, maps and little tips on where to snag a bite when window shopping. i’ll cover my favorite design shops by neighborhood so here is a great brooklyn map by new york magazine to help you around the borough. enjoy!

williamsburg: the epicenter of hipsterdom and the center of the media’s focus on design in brooklyn, this area is the closest to manhattan and its stores are focused in a pretty small area. here are my picks for design shopping in williamsburg:

[getting there: take the L train to bedford avenue, appx 15 minutes from union square in manhattan]
[nosh: have a bite at aurora (rustic italian, great garden), sea (cheap thai in a dramatic setting), dumont (my favorite restaurant period. best garden in brooklyn), enid’s (hipster central, usa. super vegan friendly), miss williamsburg, cafe 1980 and diner- delish]

the future perfect: the heart and soul of williamsburg design, dave alhadeff’s corner shop is home to some of the best up and coming designers in brooklyn and the us as a whole. head nextdoor to his new a&g merch shop for more affordable pieces

sodafine: ok mostly clothing and accessories but this store rules. if you love handmade shoes and earrings, this is your shop.

sleep: fantastic bedding and lingerie

golden calf: antiques, great ceramics and some really fantastic upholstered pieces. good vintage selection as well

saved: quasi goth, quasi hipster, this is a great place to find unique pieces by local indie designers

ugly luggage: often overlooked, but you can find some fun antiques here. need some old movie seats? ugly luggage is your place

2 jakes and mini jake: everyone’s favorite place to find vintage and faux vintage furniture. check out their kids’ shop, too

moon river chattel: i love this shop. full of worn in, french-style furniture and accessories. check out the architectural remnants shop across the street and then have dinner next door at aurora- yum

catbird: a little off the beaten path but if you wander over here you’ll find some fun stationery (though it’s mostly clothing and jewelry)

spoonbill and sugartown: this hipster bookstore often has fun stationery and art prints/posters

brooklyn flat: off the next subway stop (L to lorimer) but a short walk from bedford if you’re up for a little sightseeing. furniture and accessories

park slope: my neighborhood, also known as “baby slope” due to the insane amount of families in the area. however, these families like to shop and have been joined by an influx of younger residents so park slope boasts two avenues full of great shopping. things are either up and down 7th avenue or 5th avenue [here’s a great map]. i recommend doing one ave at a time. if the weather’s nice walk over to the park and kick back on the grass.

[getting there: take the F train to 7th avenue or the Q train to flatbush and walk south]
[nosh: for dinner check out applewood, little dishes, al di la (pricey) and stone park cafe. naidre’s for coffee, as well as the tea lounge, parco and the cocoa bar. great sammiches at press 195]

loom: pillows, tableware and accessories galore

clay pot: lighting, tableware and stationery. lots of handmade gifts

living on 7th and living on 5th: great all-around home store. leaning towards adler over saturation though

nest: excellent selection of modern design, kids gear and unique accessories

rare device: rena’s fantastic selection of independent design. tableware, ceramics, posters, books and jewelry

3rliving: eco living

matter: avant garde design in park slope. great artwork, too

cog and pearl: wonderful handmade and unique gifts

romp: great modern kids furniture and accessories

dumbo: a bit off the beaten path but a fun little trip if you have an hour or two to spare. grab a bite at the general store and then buy some chocolate at jacques torres.

spring gallery: great gifts and gorgeous art

tivoli home: fantastic scandinavian finds

prague kolektiv: pricey but gorgeous czech modern and vintage furniture

baxter liebchen: expensive but lovely collection of vintage and mid century furniture

wonk nyc: modern, modular furniture

more shops here…

bococa: the annoying abbreviation for the areas of boerum hill, carroll gardens and cobble hill. great shops and great food- lots of young people and plenty of bars.

[getting there: take the F or G train to bergen or carroll street. or the A/C/E to hoyt schemerhorn]
[nosh: we’re big fans of patois, bar tabac, chesnut, frankies 457 and joya]

environment 337: great selection of furniture and home accessories

swallow: stunning glassware and artwork

home+haven: home accessories

bark: hip home design

sterling place: great home accessories and furniture

grdn: garden supplies and home decor for the urban gardener

dig: new shop for great garden finds

some more ideas here…

these are my personal picks but you can find some more brooklyn listings right here. enjoy! feel free to add suggestions or shop reccommendations in the comments below.

i’m afraid you’re mistaken alana

their current menu has many vegan options ranging from vegan sausage (it’s actually quite good) to vegan biscuits with vegan gravy, tons of salads with vegan friendly dressings, vegan burgers, vegan scrambled eggs AND muffins and the occasional vegan friendly pancake special. i used to eat brunch there all the time and the brunch menu was great me when i was a vegan.

they have rice and beans (get it without cheese), yummy portabello sandwiches (also sans cheese).

here’s a menu if you need one for reference. their specials are often vegan friendly.

http://www.enids.net/brunchmenu.html

d*s :)

Great job! From one Brooklyn girl to another, I can say this is QUITE a thorough guide…well done. And I agree whole-heartedly with your Williamsburg restaurant choices, especially St. Helen. Try their homemade Ginger Ale- yum yum!!

Hi There! Wanting to visit New York from the UK. Want to mix design hunting and site seeing and am guessing that brooklyn is possibly cheaper? If anyone has any tips for the budget minded traveller it would be FAB! Looking to stay for 7-10 days. Thanks

I heart Fresh Kills big time. They carry Classicon–loveLOVE! can’t always tell what’s old and what’s new, but who cares? . . . . and btw what about MC Co? They have some pretty amazing ceramics and a solid felt ball pillow-wowWOW! Saved? - - - CLOSED forever! . . . and what about Modest Designs? I desperately need those Donald Deskey andirons & fireplace tools!!! What about JULIETTE?! What is UP with this list? Have you been to Williamsburg since 2003?

Millip, if you are in the Soho/Nolita area of Manhattan on the weekend, stop by the “The Young Designers Market”. Its a great place to find unique products from very talented local designers for a very good value. you can find more information about it at www.themarketnyc.com

Millip, if you are in the Soho/Nolita area of Manhattan on the weekend, stop by the “The Young Designers Market”. Its a great place to find unique design products from very talented local designers for a very good value. you can find more information about it at www.themarketnyc.com

Check out the fabulous sculptural lighting show Of artist designer Elizabeth Polish,formerly of Armani Casa at Slate Gallery Williamsburg 136 Wythe between n8 and n9th, 3 1/2 blocks from the Bedford Avenue L train stop

I know you are based in Brooklyn, but I’m coming in to Manhattan next month for a weekend (staying in Soho with my mom) and was wondering if you have a guide for that area. I absolutely love your site + would appreciate any suggestions from you as to where we could shop/visit close by. Thank you!

I also have to chip in on Klaafayette’s query—is there a similar design guide for Manhattan? I’m an out-of-towner planning to visit for a brief weekend and would love to know the spots in that area also.

I was surprised not to see any of the cool shops in the South Slope like Greenjeans on 7th ave near 14th street that sells only handmade goods. Also there is a great new Veggie cafe on 5th ave and 3rd street called ‘Snice. If you are in town on Saturday, May 10th there will be the Prospect Park Craft Fair in Prospect Park at 15th street adjacent to the F train entrance.

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