You can only just see our “LUV” window here. Jaqui gave up making an “E” for LOVE, so we ended up with “LUV”. Obviously, I’ve really been feeling bright red and blue together, because they’re the basis of one of my new geometric pillow collections too. We just received the Alexander Girard plates this week too and they all look so good together.
We couldn’t resist making the most of Valentine’s Day with our window too. It doesn’t hurt that our lovely new LOVE sculptures look so lovely with the covers of the Design Sponge book (with my apartment in it) and Decorate (with a quote from me).
Michele Varian, 27 Howard St, NYC NY (at the bottom of Crosby)
I’m excited to invite you to the Michele Varian launch as a Curator on a new Shopping Site called OpenSky. By clicking on this image, my friends will receive an exclusive $10 credit towards their first purchase. Through this weekend only, there will be an additional discount on the products I’ve selected.
It’s a pretty unique platform, because they’ve selected people like me, tastemakers, most of whom are celebrities (not like me), to choose our favorite products to share with people who follow us.
Michele Varian was an early adopter of Crosby Street. Her home furnishings store has had two spots on the now-coveted block between Broome and Grand Streets in the last decade. Last week, she moved again, to a space on Howard Street recently vacated by Ted Muehling (who opened his new store two days ago at 52 White Street).
The space is more than three times the size of her previous one. “It means I’ve been able to bring in more new and vintage furniture,” she said, “and expand the array of tabletop, barware, lighting, original artwork, children’s gifts and toys.” Prices range from $8 for a Japanese wood top to $4,000 for a solid mahogany vintage table, right (the blackboard globe shown is $450, and the stool is $255). Michele Varian, 27 Howard Street (Crosby Street), (212) 343-0033, michelevarian.com.
I’m having a post #Irene Sale 30% off. Enter IRENE2011 at check-out. Only 3 days. Spread the word: www.michelevarian.com
Don’t let yourself fall into a shopping rut. Instead, explore some of the best boutiques around the country. Today: Michele Varian in Manhattan, New York.
Fashion designer-turned-storeowner Michele Varian fills her Soho shop with industrial furniture, daring artwork and enough home accessories to keep you browsing (and coveting) for an afternoon. Here’s a snapshot of how she makes it work, in her own words.
1. What’s your best-selling product?
That seems to change weekly as we get in new product. Lately, we’ve been selling a lot of vintage pieces. And we always sell a lot of jewelry, pillows and “guy stuff”.
2. What keeps customers coming back?
Besides having a wide range of prices (token gift to life-long commitment), most people walk in and say they want to live here. So they end up bringing a little bit back to their own homes each time.
3. Fun fact:
The store used to be an iron forgery, so there are still large chains, hooks and rails on the ceiling.
This is a photo Brad took of our apartment. It somehow makes our mess look dramatic and romantic. Obviously, we both like being surrounded by “cool stuff”. I’ve recently found a site called “Things Organized Neatly”, which I love. I am going to let it inspire me.
Mirror, Crocodile
(Source: michelevarianblog.com)
BIG NEWS:
MICHELE VARIAN HAS OPENED AT 27 HOWARD STREET (Crosby Street intersection, just 1 1/2 blocks south of our old location).
The new space is gorgeous and much, much bigger, but I've taken great pains to make it just as intimate and interesting as the old space.
Please come and visit if you're in NYC!
(via thatkindofwoman, dethjunkie)
VIGNETTE - Brad Roberts Pencil Drawing 2 of 2
Shapes and Space by Chris Stokes
“Exploring derelict space and filling it...
