Living
Furnishing Accommodation
Most New York City apartments – even those in the outer boroughs carved out of private homes – come empty, allowing you a blank canvas to fulfil your design dreams. New York City offers a myriad of furnishing options. Before exploring, measure your living space – and remember the older an apartment is, the more likely you’ll find odd-shaped angles or uneven flooring.
Next, shop! Start with one of Manhattan’s legendary, moderately priced department stores, like Macy’s (www.macys.com) and Bloomingdale’s (www.bloomingdales.com), then try specialty shops like Bed Bath & Beyond (www.bedbathandbeyond.com), Crate & Barrel (www.crateandbarrel.com), Gracious Home (www.gracioushome.com), Pottery Barn (www.potterybarn.com), and Pier 1 Imports (www.pier1.com). Even if just for inspiration, visit high-end retailers like ABC Carpet & Home (www.abchome.com), Maurice Villency, (www.mauricevillency.com) and Restoration Hardware (www.restorationhardware.com) or bargain-oriented venues like Fishs Eddy (www.fishseddy.com), and branches of the Salvation Army (www.satruck.com/FindStore.asp). Spend lots of time in mini-districts focused on furniture, like East 58th Street between Second and Third avenues, all of Soho, and Lafayette Street from Astor Place to Canal Street for retro items.
If your job requires you to log lots of hours and you really need to get some basics out of the way, it is possible to hire a carpenter to create new furniture for you. Be smart about it: instead of spending thousands to hire individual carpenters, visit Gotham Cabinet Craft (www.gothiccabinetcraft.com), which custom builds furniture at a fraction of the normal cost. You’ll settle for predetermined styles, but the convenience and craftsmanship will last forever.
Second-Hand Items
A city of eight million means a tremendous second-hand market for everything you can possibly think of. Yes, the web has changed things: it’s not unusual to buy that second-hand cabinet or couch on eBay. It does, however, take the fun out of strolling the city – visiting, say, a flea market so large it happens in three locations – West 39th Street near Times Square, and in two spots in the West 20s in Chelsea (www.hellskitchenfleamarket.com). The city also offers myriad thrift and consignment shops (see www.thensome.com/thrift.htm and www.bestconsignmentshopsoftware.com for lists), and the ultra-cool Olde Good Things (www.oldegoodthings.com), which specialises in architectural salvage. Don’t assume prices are bargains. Some thrift stores, like those run by Housing Works (www.housingworksauctions.com), do offer major savings, but flea market vendors are noted for breathtaking mark-ups. Learn to haggle.
Next, shop! Start with one of Manhattan’s legendary, moderately priced department stores, like Macy’s (www.macys.com) and Bloomingdale’s (www.bloomingdales.com), then try specialty shops like Bed Bath & Beyond (www.bedbathandbeyond.com), Crate & Barrel (www.crateandbarrel.com), Gracious Home (www.gracioushome.com), Pottery Barn (www.potterybarn.com), and Pier 1 Imports (www.pier1.com). Even if just for inspiration, visit high-end retailers like ABC Carpet & Home (www.abchome.com), Maurice Villency, (www.mauricevillency.com) and Restoration Hardware (www.restorationhardware.com) or bargain-oriented venues like Fishs Eddy (www.fishseddy.com), and branches of the Salvation Army (www.satruck.com/FindStore.asp). Spend lots of time in mini-districts focused on furniture, like East 58th Street between Second and Third avenues, all of Soho, and Lafayette Street from Astor Place to Canal Street for retro items.
If your job requires you to log lots of hours and you really need to get some basics out of the way, it is possible to hire a carpenter to create new furniture for you. Be smart about it: instead of spending thousands to hire individual carpenters, visit Gotham Cabinet Craft (www.gothiccabinetcraft.com), which custom builds furniture at a fraction of the normal cost. You’ll settle for predetermined styles, but the convenience and craftsmanship will last forever.
Second-Hand Items
A city of eight million means a tremendous second-hand market for everything you can possibly think of. Yes, the web has changed things: it’s not unusual to buy that second-hand cabinet or couch on eBay. It does, however, take the fun out of strolling the city – visiting, say, a flea market so large it happens in three locations – West 39th Street near Times Square, and in two spots in the West 20s in Chelsea (www.hellskitchenfleamarket.com). The city also offers myriad thrift and consignment shops (see www.thensome.com/thrift.htm and www.bestconsignmentshopsoftware.com for lists), and the ultra-cool Olde Good Things (www.oldegoodthings.com), which specialises in architectural salvage. Don’t assume prices are bargains. Some thrift stores, like those run by Housing Works (www.housingworksauctions.com), do offer major savings, but flea market vendors are noted for breathtaking mark-ups. Learn to haggle.
