Wed. 06/30/2010 - The Definition of Williamsburg Style: Industrial

Industrial, to be more exact, Vintage or Vintage Inspired Industrial Look is the biggest trend of decoration in restaurants or retail shops right now. And I think Williamsburg is the focal point of the trend. Almost every place I saw was decorated in this style, if not fully at least in some degree. Some of them, hard-core, like Dublin and for some of them, just a couple of accent pieces. Also, Williamsburg is the best place to sourcing designers, studios or shops who are specialized in this particular look, plus to find cheap vintages.

I think the main reason is the inspirational environment of Williamsburg for this look. The abandoned or still running factories, and even Willamsburg Bridge, the whole area is simply "Industrial". Most of retailers or eateries kept the old factory buildings as they were like A.P.C. and some of them were and are converted to residentials. For people like David, Avi or Moon River Chattel, old abandoned factories are the best source to get their materials, and inspiration as well. 

I myself like this look very much, the mix of natural wood and metal, mix of soft/warm and cold, the bold and almost blunt architecture...maybe that's why I fell in love with this area...

{Williamsburg Bridge}

Some factories still running or converted to retail spaces...

{A House Adapted the Style}

{A Small Garden Next to Parking Lots}

It's because the area is industrial, it doesn't mean there is no green.

{Domino Sugar Factory}

This will be soon converted to residential.

Wed. 06/30/2010 - Williamsburg South

So, as a sequel from my last trip to Williamsburg North, I went to look around Williamsburg South - below Metropolitan Avenue - today.

I went there pretty early, but many stores' hour was from noon. So, I have to eat first at Aurora, the place Avi - the designer I met from last trip - designed and highly recommended.

{Aurora}

I had prix-fixe lunch menu served on weekdays. I am very picky with food, so I don't normally say "excellent", but the food here deserved it. I understood why Avi was so crazy about this place, and he was saying he could come here twice, three times a day. On Sunday, they have "Whole Pork Roast" and I really want to try it.

{My 3 Course Prix-Fixe Lunch with a Glass of Wine}

{A.P.C. Surplus}

French chic A.P.C. has an outlet in Williamsburg. But it was closed until the middle of July, while the main store in Soho has summer sale.

{Sprout Home}

{Cosmo}

While Avi or David were the "Industrial Style" designers, Cosmo is the place where two partners Rachel and Martin collect early industrial objects and sell with minor fix - if there is a need- along with mid century modern furniture and lighting. I especially loved the bookshelf with glass cover. Martin explained to me that it came from a lawyer's office in 20's. And the big, sculpture-like lamp was originally a surgical lighting. There was a beautiful metal cabinet from 19th C. with unusual curved legs (unusual by that time), and this was originally a clock case. It was so interesting how things from past can be used for totally different purposes today. I also love reclaimed wood, because it has so much character in each piece, and each piece is all unique. Sometimes when it's a desk, it still has memories of old users like ink stains, carved doodles...which gives a object a personality...and why these things are so special, at least to me.

{Two Jacks}

One more place to get vintage office and home furnitures...I found Williamsburg has surprisingly many home furnishing stores whether the pieces are new, vintage or antiqe regarding the ratio with other retail shops. I think population is keep growing, filling all the newly built or converted-from-factory residential, and there must be demand.

{Moon River Chattel}

Another great source to get Industrial Style. Everything here is either new or reproductions. Linens, skin cares, candles, stationary and some lightings are new. The most of furnitures are re-done with reclaimed wood or metal in their studio across the street.

{Modest Designs}

This place is specialized in mid century modern vintages.

{Commue}

From the windows, I couldn't tell what this was. It was a hair salon selling a little bit of giftable items. In Williamburg, there are all different styles of hair salons from romantic, chic, edge, funky to heavy metal...and it just tells how diversely characteristic the people living here.

Another style of hair salon done is great style, High Horse

{Dokebi}

They have tacos with Korean B.B.Q!!!

A coffee importer, it just smelled so good here...

{A House Full with Latin Flair}

The south area was big Latino community. I loved the relaxed but cheerful and friendly atmosphere here. 

Pueto Rican Billy who owns this house even invited me for July 4th party...hahaha.

This is the first thing you will see when you arrive at Pueto Rico, Billy said.

{Latin Community}

{Rabbit Hole}

A cozy place to have a cup of coffee or tea.

{Space Craft}

A workshop studio for arts & crafts of all kinds.

{Dubin}

Dubln designs great utility style bags. They make the bags in the studio in this store.

Back to north...

That beer house I couldn't figure out the name...it was "Radegast Hall & Biergarten "

{Sanford and Sven's Second Hand}

This guy has great selection of wood furnitures.

{Catbird}

A cute place for adorable jewelries and stationary.