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New York City has more stores than anyone could physically tackle, but somehow we always keep returning to the usual suspects. To break out of the rut, we've asked some local shopping and fashion gurus to provide their hidden retail gems—those unique stores around our fantastic city that we might not all know about. Cue the Beatles: We're about to get a little help from our friends.
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Image via Marks & Frantz
New York-based interior designer Brad Ford has developed what he deems "a spare, modern aesthetic with a warm soul." He set up shop in 1998 and since then, he's been featured as one of the "10 New Designers to Watch" in New York Magazine, was named one of America's Top Young Designers by House Beautiful and Traditional Home, and is regularly featured in magazines and publications like The New York Times and Departures. Oh, and did we mention he's also the creator behind the blog DesignTherapy? Though he's usually one to keep his sources to himself, Ford filled us in on his favorite shopping destination for home decor on Lexington Avenue.
The 1stdibs Floor at the New York Design Center is hands down one of my favorite resources in the city when it comes to finding vintage furnishings. With over 33,000 square feet of fine antiques and 20th Century design, this place has everything you could possibly need to decorate your home.
The space itself is straightforward and beautifully designed with designated booths assigned to some of the best dealers in the country. A lot of my clients have very limited time, so it's the perfect place to cover a lot of territory at one time as opposed to driving all over town. I almost always find something when I stop in, and the best part is the inventory is constantly changing. It's also a hub for great people watching as well and I recently ran into Michael Kors last time I was there."
· 1stdibs [New York Design Center]
· Brad Ford ID [Official Site]
· All Shopping Confidential Posts [Racked NY]