urban sparrows

Exploring Brooklyn
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17TH 2009
AREA MAP

After going to the market I took the subway to Borough Hall Station in Brooklyn, armed with a list of design stores. I wandered above and below Atlantic Avenue, stopping at planned destinations and discovering unexpected places.You can make out my path here.

As with stores all over NYC, the best shops were inconspicuous and easy to pass if you did not have a keen eye and took the time to search for them. When we first arrived here I was (foolishly) quick to dismiss storefronts that did not meet my "expectations" - nice signage, inviting displays, etc. - and I know now to give everyone a chance.

Abitare is a home decor store that is modern but with a soft, feminine touch.

I almost passed Sterling Place, and I am so thankful that I did not! It was filled with contemporary and vintage treasures, like the antique bowling set and the artfully crafted decanters.

Acorn has a marvelous collection of children' toys and decor items. The products are beautifully designed and are attractive to both kids and adults - which I think is ideal since they will most likely be strewn about the house, right?

Darr was one of my favorite unexpected shops. It was cluttered with some of the most interesting found objects, and I could equate it to a "grim" retail version of the outdoor Brooklyn Flea Market. Mounted animal heads and apothecary bottles were just some of their stock.

I went to both Greenhouse and Opalia, but I do not have photographs from the former. Opalia is a flower shop that has a nice collection of glass vases and dried botanicals, which I was contemplating for my terrariums.

Dig was packed to the brim with gardening supplies. They had terrariums sporadically placed throughout the shop. I liked their suitcase displays outside showcasing products.

Grdn was clean, modern gardening shop with a small but beautiful collection of housewares and gardening supplies. I bought a nice plant but I've forgotten what it is called.

Flight 001 has a great line of modern and vintage-inspired travel accessories. I bought a few items from them for my trip to Japan, like these luggage tags (the swearing one). Their store looked like the interior cabin of an airplane - loved it!

Blue Ribbon General Store is a great store for gifts and well-designed home accessories, like teapots, recycling bags and soaps. If you cruise the design blogs occasionally you might recognize some of their goods, such as the Stitch Postcard.