shopping Archives - Page 2 of 2

The Met Store

Museum shops seem to have some of the most unique items, things you wouldn’t normally find when out shopping.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in America. Collections at the museum house some of the most significant works of art in the world, while traveling exhibitions allow visitors to view art they might not normally see in their lifetime. The many incredible paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other artwork on display at the museum is, of course, not for sale. You can still take home a piece of the Met after your visit, however, by shopping at the The Met Store.

Museum shops seem to have some of the most unique items, things you wouldn’t normally find when out shopping. It’s a great place to find a souvenir from your museum visit that you will treasure and want to display in your home. Because many items in the Met Store relate to the works of art in the museum, you will most likely be able to treat yourself to something that reminds you of a favorite exhibit. You may find the perfect accessory for your home, a well done reproduction of a piece of art, or even some hand crafted jewelry from the far corners of the world.

Cote dIvoire Cuff — Cote d’Ivoire Geometric Bracelet, based on ceremonial beads made by the Baule or Lagoon peoples.

Parrot Figure based on a brass Indian sculpture.

Footed Bowl, reproduced from an item in the Egyptian Collection.

Reproduction of Woman Bathing by Jane Poupelet

The Met Store is also a great place to find really nice coffee table books, for yourself or to give as gifts. Books with everything from Japanese art to Baroque tapestries and African reliquary to the Dutch masters are available here. I like the idea of staking a few interesting books on the coffee table, especially when the books contain such rich imagery along with a wealth of knowledge. Something like this is a great keepsake from a visit to the Met.

Regarding Warhol: Sixty Artists, Fifty Years

Art: Over 2500 Works from Cave to Contemporary

New York in Photographs, Print Portfolio

The Met Store also has plenty to offer the children in your life. Whether you’re looking for a memorable item to take home after touring the museum or shopping for a gift, this is a good place to start. Choose an item that reflects a child’s interests or lets him or her explore something new. The Met Store has gifts for kids that encourage creativity and hands-on learning. For the budding artist or future archeologist, a gift from a museum is a sure way to continue the learning experience long after leaving the Met.

Fun with Hieroglyphs: Many kids are fascinated by ancient Egyptian writing.

Monet Art Supply Kit, a wonderful way to be creative.

Egyptian Pyramid Archeology: For hands-on learning.

Noah's Ark Play Set: Imaginative play for younger kids. — Noah’s Ark Play Set: Imaginative play for younger kids.

If a day at the Met isn’t in your plans for the near future, you can still explore the Met Store by visiting the online shop. All of their beautiful products are available online for any occasion, whether it’s a child’s birthday or a friend’s housewarming. You can also learn about the history and inspiration behind many of the items at the store on the The Met Store Official Blog.

The Well Appointed House

The Well Appointed House blog covers home decor news, trends, DIY projects, as well as lifestyle topics such us travel, parenthood, shopping, gardening, fashion, and living well.

Melissa Hawks of Greenwich, CT, founded The Well Appointed House, a luxury home retail site, in 2002. Specializing in furniture, gifts, and decorative accessories, the online store was created with the goal of bringing the kind of home decor finds which are abundant in Manhattan to a more widespread audience. Since its launch, The Well Appointed House has grown to include over 10,000 items and has been featured by The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, CNBC, In Style, Harper’s Bazaar, House and Garden, and many others. The company offers items for every room in the house, including the patio and garden. There are so many different styles available, it’s possible to find just the right piece for any decor in a wide range of price points. The Well Appointed House is also great source for unique and beautiful gift ideas.

White bubble and Tail Estancia Chandelier

Quadrille Ikat Turkish decorative pillow

Tufted Gallery Bench in Brown Vintage Leather

In 2010, Melissa created The Well Appointed House Blog as an extension of her retail brand. The blog covers home decor news, trends, DIY projects, as well as lifestyle topics such us travel, parenthood, shopping, gardening, fashion, and living well. With weekly updates, the blog is always a good source of inspiration. You can read about events in and around Greenwich, examine reviews of various products, and stay up to date on new fabrics, trends, and popular styles. Between the blog and the retail site, there is so much here to love!

Gray home décor from Well Appointed House

In addition to the blog and retail site, you can find The Well Appointed House on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Greenwich Shopping

Here in Greenwich, we are fortunate to have some really amazing places to shop.

One of the things I love about having my office in Greenwich is the great shopping. Greenwich has become something of a shopping mecca for designers with some fantastic storefronts. It’s so nice to have the option of shopping right here and supporting the community that supports my own business. Along the center of town and down a couple of side streets, you can find these places that aren’t always your typical, mainstream store. Here are some of my favorites:

Greenwich Tile: This is my go-to source for tile in any size. Vita, the owner, is creative and innovative. Greenwich Tile isn’t just a supply house; they love design and will mix materials to create an energizing, unique palette. You can visit them at 402 W Putnam Ave or call (203) 869-4773.

greenwich tile 2 — One of my favorite designs from Greenwich Tile.

greenwich tile 3 — For a master bathroom in progress.

Mark Inc.: I’ve known Mark for a while now and he is such a great guy. He does custom mohair rugs in hundreds of designs. The level of capability that goes into his products in unbelievable! The classical thinking behind his rugs is evident. I love that you can even see progress photos of your rugs on the loom! Mark Inc. is located at 34 E Putnam Ave.

mark inc carpet — Mark Inc hand knotted wool rug.

mark inc carpet 2 — Hand knotted hemp rug from Mark Inc.

Exquisite Surfaces: Amazing source for flooring, including salvaged and reclaimed options. Visit them at 11 E Putnam Ave.

exquisite surfaces 2 — I love these strong graphic tiles from Exquisite Surfaces.

C. Parker Gallery: The gallery’s storefront opens at 17 E Putnam Ave with the holiday season, but this year has remained open. With an extensive collection of impressionist paintings, the gallery is a wonderful source of art close to home. I love the concept of C. Parker Gallery; they host events, are available for private consultations, and install purchased artwork.

c parker gallery 2 — A client’s home with a painting from C. Parker Gallery.

greenwich interior designer amy aidinis hirsch — Another painting from C. Parker Gallery in a living room I designed.

Trovare Home: They have a great knack for mixing vintage items and reproductions with modern pieces. The accessories are great, and you can really tell the owner has a clever eye. Trovare Home, at 245 E Putnam Ave, also has good sized abstract art that’s well priced. The store consists of such charming vignettes that you want to scoop them up and install them just the way they are.

trovare greenwich 2 — One of the many unique finds at Trovare Home.

Room: With a showroom in NYC as well, Room is a great addition to Greenwich shopping. They feature custom crafted pieces by a variety of artisans and designers, but what I really like is their lighting. I was once working on a project here in Greenwich with a short lead time. Their bocce lamps were perfect — like jewelry for a room. Everything is customizable too, making their pieces suitable for almost any decor. You can find Room at 36 E. Putnam Ave.

room greenwich copy — Hanging bocce lighting from Room.

What kind of local shopping do you like to do?

1stdibs

As a design resource, 1stdibs is a treasure trove of inspiration. I love being able to shop sources all over the world for everything from furniture and jewelry to fashion and lighting.

As a design resource, 1stdibs is a treasure trove of inspiration. I love being able to shop sources all over the world for everything from furniture and jewelry to fashion and lighting. When shopping for clients, I can focus on specific categories, like antiques. In addition to everything you can put in a home, 1stdibs features homes themselves. Looking for an estate in the French countryside or a luxury high rise apartment in the city? You can find it on 1stdibs! There are so many unique and beautiful things from a huge variety of dealers. I never get tired of browsing this site.

1st Dibs 5 — Jade, coral, pearl, and gold necklace.

1st Dibs 20 — Large Sciolari chandelier.

1st Dibs 1 — Bill Blass — A fashion icon!

With the site’s latest updates, it has become even more interactive, making it an incredible tool. When you create an account with 1stdibs, you can save items to your virtual portfolio to make them easy to find for future reference. Even if the items in your portfolio are purchased, they stay there for you to refer to, be inspired by, or simply covet.

1st Dibs 9 — A pair of 1970’s black glazed table lamps.

1st Dibs 11 — Art Deco tray by Laurent Llaurensou

1st Dibs 19 — 19th Century French Napoleon III Salon Chair

1st Dibs 18 — Solid brass French sunburst mirror.

Shopping online isn’t always the best option. Being able to see an object in person, touch it, and get a truly accurate idea of colors and textures can be an important part of finding just the right piece. The 1stdibs New York Design Center, located at 200 Lexington Ave., is a mecca of design, filled with curated booths and the opportunity to check things out in person.

If you’re not already using 1stdibs, you won’t regret setting up an account now. You can also find them on Facebook, where they feature specific objects, hold giveaways, and highlight designers.

Truffle Salt from Olive That and More

Not long ago, Jessica, my project manager, discovered a store in Montclair, New Jersey called Olive That and More.

Not long ago, Jessica, my project manager, discovered a store in Montclair, New Jersey called Olive That and More. Specializing in olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and sea salts from around the world, Olive That and More is a foodie’s dream come true, but the store’s cleverly designed interior is the icing on the cake. With shelves and other components from the location’s previous tenant (a garden store) along with custom light fixtures created by the owner, Olive That exudes a rustic and welcoming atmosphere that encourages shoppers to taste, sample, and learn about all of the incredible products on display.

The staff at Olive That are very helpful and more than willing to answer any questions about their products or offer suggestions for cooking, serving, or buying gifts. In addition, the store hosts events such as tastings and sometimes partners with local chefs for special dinner events. Even their Facebook page is a great resource for recipes and ideas!

When you walk into Olive That, you immediately notice how many of the products are available for tasting. There are bowls of bread for sampling different oils and vinegars as well as salt shakers that allow you to taste different salts before purchasing. One of the more unique items available at Olive That is truffle salt. Jessica seems to have become addicted to the stuff, even keeping some on her desk at work to sprinkle over her lunch or add to a bowl a popcorn!

You may be thinking, “What is truffle salt?” The description from Olive That sums it up perfectly: All-natural Fusion Black Truffle Salt combines the distinct taste of black truffles with pure sea salt crystals to create an uncommonly delicious flavoring. A creative chef’s dream, black truffle salt adds a hint of earthy, mushroomy flavor to beef, eggs, potatoes and pasta.

Truffle salt is used as a finishing touch or garnish for cooked food, not an ingredient to add while cooking. It has an intense, strong flavor that truffle lovers are sure to appreciate! It’s lovely when sprinkled on vegetable soup or seafood; just keep in mind that a little goes a long way! Olive That offers two “strengths” of truffle salt: their original version as well as a stronger truffle salt. These salts are stored in large containers, and when the staff refills the smaller bottles of salt, the aroma fills the entire store!

I hope you have the opportunity to visit Olive That soon to experience their amazing products and learn from their knowledgeable staff!

New York International Gift Fair

I loved every minute I spent browsing through the Gift Fair!

Twice a year, the Javits Center and Piers 92 and 94 are home to the New York International Gift Fair. This incredible Home Show is always really exciting for me. There are so many neat products to discover from so many different designers and companies. Last August, I had a great time at the Gift Fair and wrote about my favorite finds. Once again, I loved every minute I spent browsing through the Gift Fair!

At this Fair, it seemed like every time I turned around, I saw another fantastic mirror. So many styles and sizes to fall in love with!

gift show 15 — Great mirror from Julien Chichester’s Mr. Brown line.

gift show — Daniella mirror from Made Goods

gift show 2 — Serrat mirror from Made Goods

gift show 21 — A work of art! By Emporium Home.

gift show 18 — Mirror set from the Mr. Brown line.

I also saw plenty of gorgeous pillows! These are perfect accents for a quick change and a good example of how not every aspect of design has to be custom.

gift show 5 — Sparkly but sophisticated!

gift show 6 — I can never have too much leopard!

One of the coolest things I saw at the Fair this year were these beautiful accents. They appear to be real plants, but if you take a closer look, you can see they are made of hand-painted shells. They look amazing in person!

gift show 12 — Made by Karen Robertson. An exciting find!

gift show 13 — So unusual, and so pretty!

NYIGF definitely has a little bit of everything. I found inspiration everywhere I looked, so much that I was able to find design ideas for an entire living room project I’ve been working on!

gift show 19 — A truly comfortable chair from the Mr. Brown line.

gift show 17 — Also from Mr. Brown, this gorgeous mirrored piece.

gift show 20 — Spectacular tulip lamp with quartz detail from Emporium Home.

gift show 9 — More great pottery, and I love the screen too!

gift show 16 — Coffee table with a shagreen top from Mr. Brown — must have!

When the Gift Fair returns in August, it will have a new name: NY Now. I’m already looking forward to it!

The End of History

A few days ago while shopping for fabric in NYC, I found myself stopped short by a window display in the D&D building.

A few days ago while shopping for fabric in NYC, I found myself stopped short by a window display in the D&D building. The display included a stunning arrangement of vintage glassware and I had to know more about it. I learned that the display featured items from a shop on Hudson Street called The End of History.

the end of history glass — The End of History

The End of History opened in 1997. Since then, owner Stephen Saunders has amassed an amazing international collection of mid-century glass and ceramic ware. In fact, The End of History boasts the world’s largest collection of 50’s and 60’s glass in the world. Hand blown glass and rare ceramics All this vintage glassware is beautifully categorized by color, making shopping here a real experience. The store is impressively curated and staffed by friendly people who are more than happy to welcome shoppers drawn in by those glowing window displays.

In addition to the store, the End of History maintains a blog to showcase their glassware and describe where each piece originates. The blog features writing and photography by Daniel Petix with input from store proprietor Stephen Saunders. It’s a great way to browse the store’s offerings and learn about the history and styles of various glassware. The pieces range from funky to stunning, from unusual to sophisticated.

If you’re in New York, you can stop by The End of History at 548 1/2 Hudson Street or call them at (212)647-7598 to inquire about hours.

COCOCOZY

COCOCOZY is more than an excellent daily design blog. It’s certainly worth reading in its own right for functional and stylish design material, but what really caught my eye about COCOCOZY is the Shop.

The COCOCOZY shop offers textiles, from pillows to throws to table linens, gifts, vintage accessories, and other unique items. I especially like the textiles. The patterns are fun, quirky, and fresh with a simple graphic concept. Items like the pillows and table linens make great gifts; they are quick finds without being mainstream.

cococozy gate pillow — Gate Pillow in Hunter Green

cococozy table napkin — Linen Table Napkin

COCOCOZY featured a blog post a while back about the entire process of making a pillow, from the progression of the idea to the final product. This behind the scenes look at how a product is developed is just fascinating. Starting with a sketch, the blog follows the steps involved in bringing a design into being.

cococozy coco flower drawing 1 — First, a sketch of a flower design.

COCOCOZY Flower — Graphics designer turns the sketch into a repeating pattern.

cococozy patterns — Deciding which patterns to use for the final products.

cococozy screen printing — An artisan screen prints the pattern onto fabric.

cocos flower fabric cococozy — Finished fabric, ready for sewing.

cococozy pillows — The finished product!

The photos only tell half the story. Visit COCOCOZY to view the full progression and read all of the details about how these beautiful pillows came to be. You can also find COCOCOZY on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Eataly, NYC

New York City, overflowing with people and experiences, is also home to one of my favorite shopping and dining experiences: Eataly, located at 200 5th Ave.

New York City, overflowing with people and experiences, is also home to one of my favorite shopping and dining experiences: Eataly, located at 200 5th Ave. A collaboration between culinary icons Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich, Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, and Eataly founder Oscar Farinetti, the NYC location aims to bring artisanal Italian foods to its clientele.

77476056059547712_HJSlefoK_f — image from Happy Healthy Life

This is not your average grocery store. It’s a market for true food lovers, those who want to know where their food came from and how it made the journey from field to shelf. The feast begins when you enter the market and take in the sight of high ceilings and marble, displays of exotic produce and crusty breads, tempting gelato and cheeses, Italian pastas, and other delights not typically found in American supermarkets.

77476056059547708_UuzBlQvX_f — image courtesy of: need to know

77476056059547716_XVnMzd10_f — photo by Evan Sung

If the idea of cooking up these culinary delights overwhelms you, Eataly offers a variety of cooking classes. Or, you can enjoy a meal in one of the restaurants located right inside the market. From the steakhouse to the vegan cafe, Eataly is sure to have something to tempt everyone.

Before leaving, be sure to check out the wine store. The staff are helpful and knowledgeable, an invaluable combination when it comes to assisting wine shoppers.

77476056059547710_wgaE9Voo_f — photo by Bryan Hood

To learn more about Eataly’s philosophy, products, or classes, visit their website or look them up on Facebook.