Williamsburg North #2: See and Shop
Many vintage shops around here. And nice book stores. Many stores were selling local designers' works. I found a couple of very good places to shop furniture, and OAK where many people told me that I would love the store. Plus, it's interesting to see the old factories turned around as shops and restaurants and brand new condos all mingled together.
{Bedford Street}
There were many of store selling used vinyls, since the area is a hub for indie rock.
{Spoonbill & Sugartown Booksellers}
A charming bookstore selling new and used books as well.
{Whisk}
A place to go for Kitchenware. It also gives out free recipes.
{Junk}
Like the name, many things here can be just pure junks picked up from streets or abandoned houses. But the love seat below can be very cute it it gets re-upholstered in nice fabric. Also, there were a couple of nice chairs that had potential for the new life, but I needed hard imagination to see their new future. And many of restaurants around Williamsburg seemed to got their chairs at Junk. Anyway, everything was quite cheap.
{OAK}
Very androgynous...most of pieces were designed by them.
{Strawser & Smith}
One of the stores I liked the most today. David E. Smith, the designer and owner designs pieces with salvaged wood and industrial metalsand sends the production of welding to some of best artisans in North Carolina. His works were very handsome, all industrial style which is so popular now. He also carries some 50's Danish vintage furniture and Murano glass lightings. I actually like the mix of the fragile glass and metals.
{Sir}
Joanna is also a designer and the owner of the store. Her satin blouses and dresses come with delicious hues and they can be customized as well. 
{A&G Merch}
It's a sister store of Future Perfect. The cotton rugs are from Rug Company.
{Metal Demensions}
Another studio that specializes in industrial styles with metals. Avi Kendi is a designer and owner as well. His style was a little more decorative than David's. But unlike David, he himself does the production as well in his studio. And he also does remodeling of spaces as well. He said he did at least 25 restaurant only in Williamsburg and many also in Mahattan. He kindly showed me around the studio, where he also allows local designers or artists to use it. He also showed the the restaurant he just finished. (it's right next his studio). The studio was quite amazing, all packed with raw metals, picked up metals and woods, and all the metal machinery. We also had nice chat about our home countries...(he's from Israel) and how we need to go back to our parents. He also told me how Williamsburg changed so much from when he first settled down, and the building were so cheap at that time...It's always so amazing to know all these new people from everywhere. David was nice and Avi was so nice as well....
{Voos}
Everything here, the furniture and home accessories, are from Brooklyn local designer like Avi. There were many of very nice design with fine craftmanship. It was also amazing to see they support each other in this way.
{Artists & Flea}
Every Saturday and Sunday, this is a place for local designer can showcase and sell their works. Mostly jewelry and graphic t-shirts. Honestly, this was why I went to Williamsburg, but I was not so much impressed by. Maybe I already saw some similar or the same designs somewhere else...It's hard to say the designs are so unique...
{Crest Fest}
Today, there was an art fair called Crest Fest. (Crest is a hardware store) It was supposed to be an art show, but not so much of arts to see. It was more about art of drinking, eating hot dogs, seeing this crazy guy making cocktails, and rock music. But the band was pretty good.
{Meeker Avenue Flea Market}
It's pretty much the same as Junk. But prices are higher than Junk. Again, I had to look at very closely. There were things that could have brighter futures but with lots of repairing, re-upholstering, and polishing, like the wood buffet, copper framed showcase, chrome base chairs with 70's style, some settes (which were already too price for their conditions), and little vanity chairs. Anyway, this is what many vintage stores or decorators do, buy cheap or just pick up and rework and sell... There were many of things from 70's, but it doesn't really mean they are all valuable things...
Finally, I saw this amazing building on Driggs Avenue. It has great store front, and nice architectural details. But it was abandoned like this. Actually, Avi told me it's owned by someone, but it's been like this for long. I thought this could be very nice building for any store or restaurant. Too bad, it was like this...
No comments:
Post a Comment