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It’s no secret that New York City is the design capital of the U.S.—but that also means it can be notoriously difficult to navigate as a shopper. As editors, we’re always on the lookout for new stores that go beyond the status quo and give us fresh ideas and inspiration for our homes and our lives.
Whether you’re throwing a party and need the perfect platter or searching for the most absurdly adorable baguette candle, our list of the best new independent design stores in New York City has you covered. Pull up Google Maps and put a star on these special spaces.
Big Night West Village
The second outpost from Katherine Lewin, Big Night West Village is a haven for dinner party hosts. Bright red doors welcome visitors into a playful space divided by categories: kitchen, bar, and pantry, for example. “Our design intention for the shop was for it to feel like a real (okay, maybe not real, but a fantasy version) New York City apartment,” says Lewin. “We created this fully realized world for people to step into, and I hope it makes them feel like they’re the most important part of that world—because they are.” 236 West 10th Street
Common Things
The pull of cobalt blue will bring you into the doors of Common Things, a petite shop on East 7th Street between First and Second Avenues, but the curation will keep you. “My hope is that people see the shop as full of just the right amount of eclectic goods from people they’ve never heard of and places they’ve maybe never been to before,” says founder Komal Kehar, who is also an architect and designer at Mira Projects. It’s impossible to know what lies inside—from pottery to taper candles—and that’s the thrill: “I would say that my favorite pieces at the moment are these hand-sculpted metal chairs by Ronald Jeudy, an artisan in Haiti,” Kehar says. Oh, and the shop name? It comes from Pablo Neruda’s book of poetry, Odes to Common Things. 76 East 7th Street
Beverly’s NYC
Beverly’s NYC is a physical extension of its owner and namesake, fashion stylist Beverly Nguyen. Each piece—and the offerings range from a massive stallion photograph to hand-tufted rugs that double as wall art—is a deeply personal pick by Nguyen with a focus on creative communities around the world. “I want the store to be a platform for local artists and designers to showcase their work as well be a center for discussion on topics such as interiors, cooking, and entertaining,” she says. The space gives visitors a full-body recharge, taking inspiration from, as she says, “Noguchi’s studio, Brâncusi’s atelier, and Elsa Peretti’s collections for Tiffany & Co.” 27 Orchard Street
Gohar World
Designed by Rafael Prieto, founder and creative director of Savvy Studio, Gohar World feels as if you’re stepping into a curio cabinet. Sculptural tables display antique servingware and hand-poured candles disguised as baguettes and desserts, while the walls show off photos Prieto took in the South of France. The owners, sisters Laila and Nadia Gohar, partner with ateliers around the world to stock the shelves. “Gohar World is inherently a brand that transports you to different places,” Prieto says. “Sometimes even to your grandmother’s living room.” 181 Lafayette Street
Jane Cookshop
Owner Jennifer Ro’s goal? Make Jane Cookshop feel like a cottage filled with trinkets and objects—and it gets all of the gold stars. She’s stocked the shelves with everything from artisan condiments and handmade cutting boards to block-printed napkins and curvy candles. “I get inspired by so many different things, but my background in art really informed my decision to paint the shop all white,” says Ro. “It’s quite a small space, but I wanted it to feel personal—like visiting someone’s art studio or a gallery showcasing handmade objects, ceramics, and tools.” 328 East 9th Street
Fredericks & Mae
There is a very small chance that you haven’t seen the color-dolloped confetti cutting boards that put Fredericks & Mae on the design map. Now you can find an entire store of them in between Chinatown and the Lower East Side. Inside, plywood cabinetry puts the collection of wares on full display: wavy ceramics, glass serving bowls, art prints, and, yes, confetti cutting boards. 6 Allen Street
