i’m so thrilled to add a new city guide to the site today- this time written by one of my all-time favorite bloggers, joy of oh joy! joy hardly needs an introduction so i’ll just say she’s one of the coolest ladies around and has one heck of a great eye for design. when i left my philadelphia inquirer column to write for HG i couldn’t have imagined a better person taking over so when it came to creating a philly design guide, i wouldn’t have dreamed of asking anyone else. thankfully joy was kind enough to take time out from her busy schedule of blogging, writing, and designing to create a fantastic city guide for us. thanks to joy for her hard work- i hope you’ll enjoy the guide! click here to read the full guide or just click “read more” below. [stay tuned for a new product guide at 2]
[image above from gophila.com]
Rittenhouse Square
{mainly Chestnut St.-Locust St., 16th to 20th St.}
With mostly middle to high-end chain retail stores and a slew of great restaurants, Rittenhouse Square is usually the first place out-of-towners come. There aren’t as many unique individual shops here as some of the other parts of the city, but there are definitely some great ones..as well as food aplenty.
AIA Bookstore & Design Center
formerly on 17th and Sansom Streets – see below to Broad St/Chinatown
Hello World
At the sister shop to Hello Home (see Pine St. below), you can find an array of jewelry and handbags from local and international designers.
257 S. 20th Street, 215-545-5207
Petulia’s Folly
One of my favorite weekly stops to browse and add things to my mental wish list. A great mix of hip upscale designer clothing, jewelry, and modern housewares. You’ll find 3.1 Phillip Lim, Paul and Joe, Megan Park, Anna Corinna, Hable Construction, Mud Australia, John Derian, and more.
1710-12 Sansom Street, 215-569-1344
Kellijane
Unlike most design shops, Kellijane sits amoungst beautiful brownstone residences on a tree-lined street of downtown Philly. The shop carries hi-end designer bedding, bath towels, and table linens from designers like Missoni, Sonia Rykiel, Oyuna Cashmere, Cir Paris, and Garnier Thiebaut.
1712 Spruce Street, 215-790-0233
Town Home
This upscale home goods shop is great for that last-minute wedding, baby, or bridal shower gifts. Tabletop items, high-end tea & chocolate, and baby good fill the simple and serene shop.
126 S. 19th Street, 215-972-5100
Premium Steap
One of my favorite stops to buy loose tea, Premium Steap also carries a great selection of tea cups, tea sets, and tabletop goods. You’ll find great Japanese tea sets from Kobuki as well as modern pieces like Eva Solo. As for the tea, there are SO many great ones to choose from…my favorite being the Black Coconut.
118 S. 18th Street, 215-568-2920
Coeur
This upscale lingerie shop has pretty underthings of all kinds. Great for yourself or for the bride-to-be.
132 S. 17th Street, 215-972-0373
Eat:
-Tria for light servings artisinal cheeses, salads, and sandwiches as well as a great wine and beer selection
-Tinto for modern tapas
-Remedy Tea Bar for delicious tea concoctions like the Dirty Chai Latte
-Giwa for a quick bite of Korean food
-Miel Patisserie for a mid-day coffee and some French macaroons
Chain design stores in the area: Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Design Within Reach, Bo Concept
………….
MIDTOWN VILLAGE
{11th to Broad St./Market to Spruce…but mostly concentrated in the 12th-13th St., Walnut-Chestnut St. areas}
Not too far from Rittenhouse Square, this area was formerly filled with dollar stores and discount clothing stores. Thanks to some new modern shops and restaurants, this area (now called Midtown Village) has recently began its growth to a much cooler place.
Duross & Langel
Fresh and fragrant natural soaps and body products all made with raw materials employing a fair trade policy.
117 S. 13th Street, 215-592-SOAP
Matthew Izzo
Matthew Izzo is a one-stop shop for home decor and clothing junkies alike. Modern furniture and hip clothing brands for men and women mingle. You’ll find Jonathan Adler, Blu Dot, Gus, J.Lindeburg, Energie, and more.
1109 Walnut Street, 215-829-0606
Open House
This is probably one of my favorite shops in all of Philadelphia. With a mainly home decor selection, Open House does the mix just right with the addition of jewelry, paper goods, beauty products, and baby accessories amoungst the home goods. The selections are well-edited and new designers often show up in Philly first at Open House. Find designers such as Thomas Paul, Roost, Parkhaus Berlin, Wingard Home, Saipua Soap, Alexis Bittar, and many more.
107 S. 13th Street, 215-922-1415
PHAG/Philadelphia Home Art Garden
You’ll find an eclectic mix of artisan furniture and novelty decor and gift items at PHAG. From Rosanna dinnerware and tea sets to PHAG’s very own line of products.
1225 Walnut Street, 215-627-0461
Scarlett Fiorella
This eclectic shop mixes antique-style pieces for the home with a selection of kids clothing.
113 South 13th St., 215-922-1955
Eat:
- Raw Sushi Bar for creative sushi combinations
- Grocery 13 for the cupcakes and readymade food on the go
- Capogiro for tons of delicious gelato flavors
- Naked Chocolate Cafe for the huge selection of everything chocolate (and delicious Apple Lemonade)
- Tbar for the Amai tea cookies and the seasonal Honeybee Latte
Chain design stores in the area: West Elm
…………….
Pine Street/Antique Row
{Pine street from 8th to 13th St.}
This row of shops is known for its antique furniture selection sprinkled with some great modern design shops.
Hello Home
One of the best places to go in Philly for great vintage furniture as well as contemporary accessories and lighting with a nod to the great designs of the mid 20th century. The ever-changing mix of vintage furniture may include pieces by Paul Mcobe, as well as a great selection of Danish modern pieces. The decor items include current indie designers like Soft Goods, SCAD, and Company C.
1201 Pine Street, 215-545-7060
Twist Home
This shop mixes antique & vintage furniture with modern accessories.
1134 Pine Street, 215-925-1242
Paper on Pine
One of the best stops in the city for cards and stationery of all kinds.
1008 Pine Street, 215-238-0385
Eat:
- Vetri for upscale & modern Italian…and the best gnocchi ever.
- Last Drop Coffeehouse for a laid back spot to take a break while snacking on something sweet and caffeinated.
…………….
Northern Liberties {Spring Garden Street to Girard Avenue, 2nd to 4th Street}
This area is probably considered the current up-and-coming area with its quick growth of retail shops, restaurants, and new homes in the last few years. This still industrial area is home to hipsters, young couples & families, as well as those who have lived in the neighborhood forever before the gentrification.
Art Star
Art Star is the place to shop in Philly for handmade goods made by indie crafters and artists. From clothing and jewelry to prints and handmade stationery, its one-stop shopping for a handmade gift. Art Star also rotates its gallery space monthly with pieces by well-know indie artists.
1030 N. 2nd Street, Unit 301, 215-238-1557
Jenny Jaskey at Tower Gallery
Curator Jenny Jaskey exhibits work by emerging artists in a variety of media and hosts experimental performance events in addition to the regular exhibits.
969 N. 2nd Street, 215-543-6029
P.A.D. Home Furnishings
This Northern Liberties staple sells a mix of vintage furniture, vintage clothing, and modern accessories and gifts. You’ll find vintage clothing by Missoni and Ferragamo mixed with Miya sake sets and pillows from Soft Goods.
804 N. 2nd Street, 215-925-4005
Philadelphia Glass Works & Gallery 908
Take introductory glassblowing classes at PGW or view the amazing selection of glass art pieces at Gallery 908.
908A N. 3rd Street, 215.627.3655
Vintage Modern
The ever-changing selection of vintage furniture makes Vintage Modern a regular stop for mid-century lovers. Designers include: Saarinen, Nelson, Eames mixed with a showcase of local artist work.
906 N. 2nd Street, 215-238-1997
Eat:
-N. 3rd for great gastro-pub fare including their amazing Thai-style wings
-Honey’s for all-round amazing brunch where Southern comfort and Jewish staples marry beautifully
-Koi for sushi
-Brown Betty for cupcakes and other sweet things
-1 Shot Coffee for the garden bagel and earl grey, soy, & honey latte.
- Arbol Café for traditional food and snacks from Paraguay. The boneless short rib with butternut polenta is amazing!
……..
Old City (sometimes spelled Olde City)
{Front to 4th Street, Chestnut to Vine Street}
Shopping-wise, this area is known for a great selection of upscale and trendy restaurants, clothing boutiques, and home design shops a plenty.
Bruges Home
Bruges has a beautiful mix of rustic and ethic pieces from around the world, mixed in with modern classics like Roost and John Derian and accessories by younger indie designers.
323A Race Street, 215-922-6041
Chaise + Corbel
A sort of antiqued French shop in an urban setting with lots of vintage and refinished, cottage-style furniture and accessories.
244 Race Street, 215-238-1915
Foster’s Homeware
Foster’s seems to carry everything for the modern home. With the mix of furniture with a huge kitchen & tabletop section, you can expect to find brands like MarlaDawn, BluDot, Gus, OXO, Denyse Schmidt, and Chilewich. The new, expanded location also hosts cooking classes by local renowned chefs.
399 Market Street, 215-925-0950
Okooko
This New Zealand-based brand recently expanded into the US with its first and only store in Philadelphia. Specializing in bedroom furniture by the New Zealand-based manufacturer Design Mobel, it’s like a sanctuary of rest. You’ll be amazed at the gorgeous bedframes and accessories all made of sustainable, native New Zealand timbers. Each piece has a story, and it’s a story worth hearing.
205 Arch Street, 215-667-8240
The Papery
Another great shop that carries some of my favorite independent stationery and letterpress designers.
57 N. 3rd Street, 215-922-1500
Scarlett Alley
This cozy boutique carries an array of personal and decorative items from kitchenware and tabletop to jewelry and gifts. With their own wedding registry, the selection of modern goods for wedding presents is plentiful.
241 Race Street, 215-592-7898
Third St. Habit
Since this is a home design guide, I’m only going to mention one of the many great clothing boutiques in this area of the city. Third St. Habit has some of the best selection of up-and-coming designers like Geren Ford, Rag & Bone, Elijah, and so many more.
153 N. 3rd Street, 215-925-5455
Eat:
-Amada for the best tapas in the city
-Fork Etc. for a quick bite to eat and great pre-packaging food to take home
…………..
Broad St./Chinatown
{Broad to 9th Street, Arch to Cherry}
There isn’t really a concentration of shops in this area, but I wanted to point out a few that didn’t fit in any of the other areas.
AIA Bookstore & Design Center
This design shop is similar to that of a museum design shop without being attached to a museum. They carry an assortment of all things modern – books, design-y gifts, and personal accessories. They also have the best holiday shop come Christmas with a whole floor devoted to candy shop variety of ornaments and decor.
new location opening in March: 1218 Arch Street (in the new Center for Architecture)
The Fabric Workshop and Museum
The only non-profit art organization for new materials and new media including fabric & textiles.
temporary location: 1222 Arch Street, future address: 1214 Arch Street, 215-568-1111
Portfolio at PAFA
Adjacent to the newest building of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, this museum shop carries a mix of artisan and modern items from Roost, Kikkerland, Mudlark, and Michael Michaud.
128 N. Broad Street, 215-972-2075
Eat:
- Siam Cuisine for the best Phad Thai and Thai Green Curry
- Reading Terminal Market for a plethora of fresh foods of all kinds (from cupcakes, bbq, cheeses, and more)
……………
Fairmount/Art Museum
{from 20th to 26th, Callowhill to Green St.}
This mostly residential area is still lacking in unique retail shops especially those design-related. But a recent spurt of new restaurants hopefully means that more good growth is on the way
-Ali’s Wagon
The first of any design shops to come to the area, Ali’s wagon mixes home decor with lots of items for the modern baby.
2017 Fairmount Avenue, 215-787-0611
Eat:
-The Belgian Café for mussels & pomme frites and a great selection of Belgian beer
-L’oca for BYOB Italian
…………….
South Street/Bella Vista
{Front to 6th Street, South and Bainbridge Street}
This colorful, slightly street punk area is now mostly for the alternative teen and college crown, but there are some great vintage and fabric shops here as well.
Anastacia’s Antiques
Anastacia’s is like going through an old home filled with random, yet beautiful, treasures. There’s a mix of furniture, curiosities, linens, hats, tiles, and so much more to satisfy those looking for a great little heirloom or find.
617 Bainbridge Street, 215-928-9111
Antiquarian’s Delight
Like a huge flea market indoors, this market is made up of various booths from housewares to furniture to clothing. It can seem messy at times, but worth the trip if you’re patient and eager to dig through all the piles of stuff that often accumulates in each section.
615 S. 6th Street, 215592-0256
4th street/Fabric Row
If you’re looking for fabrics or trimmings, fabrics stores line this street for blocks.
Eat:
- Beau Monde for the best crepes
- Pink Rose Pastry Shop for tea and sweets
- Gayle creative American food in a quaint and sweet spot
…….
Other:
The Philadelphia Flea Market – cycles around to various locations in the city from May to October.
