Each of the impressive new Gramercy condos at 88 & 90 Lexington boasts its own unique charm. Although the buildings now essentially function as one entity and share a spacious new lobby, aesthetically they are still quite distinct. 88 Lexington Avenue was built in 1927 with classic, Beaux-Arts proportions, while 90 Lex was built in 1958 and exemplifies the best of postwar Modernism. Despite their individual elegance and architectural character, together these two classic buildings form a striking pair. Their fully redesigned residences, which feature open floor plans, high ceilings, and large windows that provide an abundance of natural light, can accommodate just about any scheme – or combination of approaches – when it comes to interior design. Known in New York’s design community as a top source for one-of-a-kind vintage pieces, the Gramercy neighborhood boasts more than a few popular shops dedicated to helping homeowners find the perfect antiques to make their homes their own. Here are just a few of the best.
Showplace Antique + Design Center | 40 West 25th Street The Showplace Antique + Design Center may require more than one visit. With over 150 individual antiques shops featured here, treasures from a variety of periods and styles are on offer on any given day. This makes the Showplace Antique + Design Center a fine place to visit if you wish to develop an eye for antiques, learn to assess quality, and achieve a nuanced sense of your own style. A mid-century glass Venini chandelier might be the perfect complement to a Nakashima dining table or even an Art Nouveau sideboard, but often it takes seeing such works in person to understand just how such combinations might work. Browsing the vast array of goods here is like strolling through a three-dimensional idea board for your luxury condo.
Olde Good Things | 149 Madison Avenue Olde Good Things, one of the original architectural salvage firms dedicated to saving beautiful marble, metal, and carved wood elements from 19th-century buildings, has been doing such work since long before it became trendy. They also sell antiques, specializing in the last quarter of the 19th century through World War II. With multiple locations in New York and other cities, Olde Good Things still keeps its large, atmospheric Gramercy location filled with lovely vintage pieces. Fabulous Art Deco furniture and accessories, Arts and Crafts dining tables and armoires, Renaissance Revival sconces and chandeliers, and Victorian clocks come together to create unique combinations that are perfect for those who like to connect distinct styles from different time periods.
Gramercy Vintage Furniture | 61 Gramercy Park North For 25 years, Gramercy Vintage Furniture has cultivated a reputation for offering a remarkably wide range of furniture and antiques from every decade stretching back to the 1800s. Goods on offer here include furniture from East Asia, carpets from the Middle East, and prints and drawings from Europe and America. You might find an early 19th-century chest-on-chest, a 1970s-glam desk, or just about anything in between as you browse through this inviting shop.
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