December 19, 2008
We all know that finding an apartment in NYC is absolute hell. But once you've found that perfect place you're left with the super fun task of decorating...and while there are plenty of places to shop for furnishings in NYC, there's only a handful that are cheap and chic. The task of mixing and matching to create the perfect ambiance is, of course, up to you...and since it's the most fun part of the whole ordeal, we've put together a little list to help you get started.
-Housing Works (17th btwn. 6th and 7th Ave.)- This is by far the most well stocked branch of NYC favorite thrift shop Housing Works. Proceeds from all purchases go towards various AIDS charities, so while you're buying your cheap n' chic furniture, you can feel good about it! We've found everything from a set of 4 Parisian-esque blue silk chairs with matching table for $150, to a Victorian style dresser for $65, to a gilded vintage mirror for $50. There's a huge selection of bookcases and dressers too, for every shape and size apartment! Also noteworthy is the rather large selection of wall hangings like artisan photographs and old paintings.
-Housing Works (245 West 10th Street, btwn. Bleecker & Hudson)- This much smaller sister branch of Housing Works is still an amazing place to find furnishings like couches and armchairs. There's usually about 3 or 4, or as many as they can fit actually...and they're usually the best quality of any of the housing works. Think of it as a boutique version of the one on 17th St....same kind of stuff, a little more selective, same low low low prices. Also a great place to find functional items for your place, like coat racks and umbrella stands.
-Cure Thrift Shop (111 E. 12th, btwn. 3rd and 4th St.)- The furniture finds at Cure remind us of your Grandma's house...if your Grandma is kind of hip. We think the emphasis for buyers at this shop focus on comfort moreso than anything else, and in this department they do deliver. All proceeds go to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. Chairs, couches, and tables abound...and odd wall hangings are everywhere. The downstairs is also really great for finding vintage clothes!
-Angel Street Thrift Shop (17th btwn. 6th and 7th Ave.)- Angel Street is run by a little old man and woman who are always quick to offer up advice on your purchases. The wares here are a bit more expensive than the ones over at Housing Works across the street, but they're also slightly more upscale. Think leather, silk, or velvet chaise lounges and sofas. There's also a great selection of assorted vintage items, like records, and old post cards
-Ugly Luggage (214 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, NY)- Marked by a beat-up suitcase sign on the sidewalk, Ugly Luggage is an ever-changing nod to the good, the bad, and of course, the ugly. Remember that wonderfully tacky glassware from your childhood? You'll find it here. Looking for a kitschy velvet painting to show your ironic side? Ugly Luggage is the spot. Formica tables, Jesus portraits, 70's style lamps--they're all for sale.
-The Upper Rust (445 E. 9th st., btwn, 1st and 2nd Ave.)- Crammed with treasures acquired primarily through estate sales, the densely packed store sells private collections of jewelry, full china sets, painted mirrors, and lighting fixtures that look more Upper East Side than Alphabet City. If you're going for a "cozy" vibe, this is definitely your best bet.
-White Trash (304 E. 5th St., btwn 1st and 2nd Ave.)- Whether it is a metal kitchen cabinet with inset round aluminum pulls or a sixties six-drawer Brazilian rosewood dresser, most of the items in the store have a certain modern flavor and are sold at surprisingly fair prices. There is no stock room, so there’s a high turnover, but if you tell the owner what you’re looking for, he’ll keep his eyes peeled when he goes out shopping. Don’t be afraid to bargain for a price if you see something you like, as most price tags are negotiable.
Tags:
angel street thrift shop, cure thrift shop, furnishings, housing works, the upper rust, thrift shops, ugly luggage, white trash
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Posted on 12/19/2008
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