brooklyn design guide

i seem to get a dozen or so emails a day asking for great recommendations for design shopping in brooklyn. so i thought it might be a bit more practical if i created an online shopping guide for brooklyn that could be regularly updated with comments, notes, maps and little tips on where to snag a bite when window shopping. i'll cover my favorite design shops by neighborhood so here is a great brooklyn map by new york magazine to help you around the borough. enjoy!

williamsburg: the epicenter of hipsterdom and the center of the media's focus on design in brooklyn, this area is the closest to manhattan and its stores are focused in a pretty small area. here are my picks for design shopping in williamsburg:

[getting there: take the L train to bedford avenue, appx 15 minutes from union square in manhattan]

[nosh: have a bite at aurora (rustic italian, great garden), sea (cheap thai in a dramatic setting), dumont (my favorite restaurant period. best garden in brooklyn), enid's (hipster central, usa. super vegan friendly), miss williamsburg, cafe 1980 and diner- delish]

• the future perfect: the heart and soul of williamsburg design, dave alhadeff's corner shop is home to some of the best up and coming designers in brooklyn and the us as a whole. head nextdoor to his new a&g merch shop for more affordable pieces
• sodafine: ok mostly clothing and accessories but this store rules. if you love handmade shoes and earrings, this is your shop.
• sleep: fantastic bedding and lingerie
• golden calf: antiques, great ceramics and some really fantastic upholstered pieces. good vintage selection as well
• saved: quasi goth, quasi hipster, this is a great place to find unique pieces by local indie designers
• ugly luggage: often overlooked, but you can find some fun antiques here. need some old movie seats? ugly luggage is your place
• 2 jakes and mini jake: everyone's favorite place to find vintage and faux vintage furniture. check out their kids' shop, too
• moon river chattel: i love this shop. full of worn in, french-style furniture and accessories. check out the architectural remnants shop across the street and then have dinner next door at aurora- yum
• catbird: a little off the beaten path but if you wander over here you'll find some fun stationery (though it's mostly clothing and jewelry)
• spoonbill and sugartown: this hipster bookstore often has fun stationery and art prints/posters
• brooklyn flat: off the next subway stop (L to lorimer) but a short walk from bedford if you're up for a little sightseeing. furniture and accessories

park slope: my neighborhood, also known as "baby slope" due to the insane amount of families in the area. however, these families like to shop and have been joined by an influx of younger residents so park slope boasts two avenues full of great shopping. things are either up and down 7th avenue or 5th avenue [here's a great map]. i recommend doing one ave at a time. if the weather's nice walk over to the park and kick back on the grass.

[getting there: take the F train to 7th avenue or the Q train to flatbush and walk south]

[nosh: for dinner check out applewood, little dishes, al di la (pricey) and stone park cafe. naidre's for coffee, as well as the tea lounge, parco and the cocoa bar. great sammiches at press 195]

• loom: pillows, tableware and accessories galore
• clay pot: lighting, tableware and stationery. lots of handmade gifts
• living on 7th and living on 5th: great all-around home store. leaning towards adler over saturation though
• nest: excellent selection of modern design, kids gear and unique accessories
• rare device: rena's fantastic selection of independent design. tableware, ceramics, posters, books and jewelry
• 3rliving: eco living
• matter: avant garde design in park slope. great artwork, too
• cog and pearl: wonderful handmade and unique gifts
• romp: great modern kids furniture and accessories

dumbo: a bit off the beaten path but a fun little trip if you have an hour or two to spare. grab a bite at the general store and then buy some chocolate at jacques torres.

• spring gallery: great gifts and gorgeous art
• tivoli home: fantastic scandinavian finds
• prague kolektiv: pricey but gorgeous czech modern and vintage furniture
• baxter liebchen: expensive but lovely collection of vintage and mid century furniture
• wonk nyc: modern, modular furniture
• more shops here...

bococa: the annoying abbreviation for the areas of boerum hill, carroll gardens and cobble hill. great shops and great food- lots of young people and plenty of bars.

[getting there: take the F or G train to bergen or carroll street. or the A/C/E to hoyt schemerhorn]

[nosh: we're big fans of patois, bar tabac, chesnut, frankies 457 and joya]

• environment 337: great selection of furniture and home accessories
• swallow: stunning glassware and artwork
• home+haven: home accessories
• bark: hip home design
• sterling place: great home accessories and furniture
• grdn: garden supplies and home decor for the urban gardener
• dig: new shop for great garden finds
• some more ideas here...

these are my personal picks but you can find some more brooklyn listings right here. enjoy! feel free to add suggestions or shop reccommendations in the comments below.