Treasure Hunting on Franklin Street
Photography: Hayley Rosenblum and Jade Slater
About a year ago, we took you on a tour of Greenpoint’s new crop of vintage shops. It’s that time of year again (ICYMI, summer is unofficial “spruce up your space” season), and we’re revisiting North Brooklyn’s tiny epicenter of home design—or, as some may call it, “the land of the $100 mug”—to bring you this lengthier list of spots to find lovely homewares, both new and vintage alike.
Whether you’re on the hunt for eccentric accents to liven up your shelves or prepared to do some heavy-duty redecorating, here are some of the best offerings you’ll find if you take a walk along Franklin Street.
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Homecoming
107 Franklin Street
This green oasis is more than just a place to grab an exceptional cup of coffee or a bouquet of unique blooms. Since opening in 2013, owners Vanessa Chinga-Haven and Scott Haven have populated the multipurpose shop with a selection of locally made home goods—including popular ceramics by Brooklyn-based studio Group Partner—and even developed a line of candles to encapsulate the space’s signature scent of “fresh-cut flowers and freshly ground coffee.” And don’t forget the plants: from the popular fiddle-fig leaf tree to tiny succulents, you’re sure to leave with something that will not only fit in your apartment, but brighten it up, too.
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Caroline Z Hurley
155 Freeman Street
Nestled on residential Freeman Street, just off Franklin Street, is artist and textile designer Caroline Z Hurley’s cozy shop, which doubles as her studio. The standout items here are her popular block-printed-by-hand throws ($140) and small-batch rugs created by artisans in Mexico and Guatemala ($300–350), but Hurley also makes a point to showcase locally made ceramics, wooden bowls, and incense packs by designers she admires.
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Home of the Brave
146 Franklin Street
Opened in 2014 by the husband-wife duo behind Franklin Street clothing staple Wolves Within, this home shop focuses on fair trade, handmade goods. Beyond stocking beautiful textiles and ceramics by local makers, the duo curates a selection of items made all over the world—including exclusive pieces created just for their customers, like a printed rope bowl ($46) handmade in Spain, and a handmade, vegetable-dyed rug (a bestseller) made by artisans in India ($498).
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Adaptations
109 Franklin Street
Walking into Adaptations, Burney’s sister store just a few blocks down Franklin, feels like entering a friend’s enviable apartment. An alternative to the mid-century pieces at Porter James, Adaptations stands out for its selection of laid-back, bohemian finds tinged with this summer’s trend of ‘70s California cool. Here, you’ll find statement pieces like a cow-hide lounge chair ($750) and a vintage blush couch ($1,600) alongside campy decorative items straight out of Robert Altman’s 3 Women. (Fun fact: This summer, Burney and her team will be outfitting the green rooms of the soon-to-open Brooklyn venue, Elsewhere.)
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You & Yours Fine Vintage
77 Franklin Street
Shop owner Allegra Muzzillo, who moonlights as a freelance designer and interior decorator, has an eye for spotting tiny treasures. “The quirkier, the better,” she says of her collection of colorful barware, ‘50s-era side tables, and unexpected ‘70s light fixtures. In addition to her eclectic vintage offerings, Muzzillo is available for interior design services—from room refreshes to total renovations—and hosts a monthly clothing pop-up with Brooklyn-based Seven Wonders Vintage.
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Porter James of New York
116 Franklin Street
If you’re planning a wall-to-wall revamp, take a peek into this furniture shop offering highly curated vintage and modern pieces alongside its own in-house line of pillows, sofas, and benches. Owner Kyla Burney stocks both small items like a duo of teak coasters ($50) as well as apartment-making staples like a Danish teak wall unit ($2,700) and custom leather mid-century lounge chairs. Even if you don’t find something within your budget, you’re sure to leave with a bit of decoration inspiration.
