Finding Furniture in Philly

In keeping with the city's historic stature, antiques – Queen Anne desks, Louis XIVth chairs, Colonial chests – should be expected, and dealers in high-end treasures are bountiful. In this milieu, trendy contemporary furniture, retro-cool accessories, and modern art may seem a tad out of place.

Still, entrepreneurs have filled a niche here by providing the antithesis to Early American, something that Philly-dwellers crave, judging by the success of stores like Foster's Urban Homeware and USONA Home Furnishings.

Foster's is a huge store stocking everything you need for the modern home, including Blu Dot furniture, Bodum kitchen appliances, Reidel stemware, tableware from Iittala and Gordon Ramsay, coffee tables from Umbra, and funky Denise Schmidt quilts. They even have kid stuff like Uglydolls, action figures and limited production toys from trend-setter CerealArt. This is the sort of place you lose time in, so wear a watch.

USONA focuses on the sleekest, most streamlined designs, with simple outlines and unfussy style being foremost. Color takes a back seat to texture and shape – expect to find nubby area rugs, bold steel kitchen chairs, curvy slate-topped occasional tables, minimalist platform beds, and austere book cases. This is furniture that makes a statement.

In the Washington Square West area, a district that embraces LGBT culture so much that it dubbed itself the Gayborhood and adorned the street signs with rainbow accents, check out PHAG (Philadelphia Home Art Garden). Yes, you'll find a few things that could be called "oh-so-gay" but primarily they offer incredibly cool, frequently one-of-a-kind, totally contemporary furniture, accessories and artwork. Cosmopolitan types of every stripe love this place. If you're aiming to furnish a home in a way that reflects your colorful, unique personality, this is a great place to start. 

Twist doesn't limit itself to just furniture. The philosophy here is simple: everything in your home should serve dual purposes, as something functional and as something artistic. Thus, sofas have dreamy, curvy lines and luxurious upholstery. Retro-influenced chairs sport eye-popping colors and gorgeous lines. Lamps are so sleek and lovely you'll swear off "utilitarian" forever. Minimalist or Rococo, Twist somehow brings it all together into a cohesive and unique style that fascinates. Even if you're not purchasing anything, you're bound to get a few ideas here. Who knew a table and a few throw pillows could be so inspiring?

If the simplicity of Scandinavian design appeals to you but you're looking for slightly better quality from a place that's not an international superstore, Dane Decor is ideal. The local chain (four locations) is quite popular, with good reason. Comfortable, versatile, and stylish are key words here, with styles ranging from classic to post-modern. There really is something for everyone.

Interior designer Matthew Izzo made a name for himself in NYC before establishing his two-store empire in Philly a couple of years ago. One shop focuses on furniture and housewares, the other on clothing. Along with his own eclectic designs, Izzo features furniture from Blu Dot, Calligaris, Mash Studios, Alphaville Design, and Brownstone; accent with funky textiles from Jonathan Adler, accessories from Gus Modern, lamps from Pablo Lighting, and an original painting or two. Prices range from affordable to take-out-a-loan, but whatever you spend you're sure to end up with an amazingly furnished space. If stylish new digs call for some similarly stylish new rags, Izzo has that covered too, with Acne Jeans, Pudel, DKNY, Rogues Gallery, Kensie Girl, and Cheap Monday.

Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran, owners of Open House (and a few other equally successful ventures in town), have simply incredible taste in home décor and gifts. Shop for Dwell linens, J. Adler serveware, Bodum mugs, or fabulous vases and lamps from Roost. All the furniture here captures that elusive, modern-yet-inviting quality absent from so many contemporary pieces. The store, interestingly enough, also has a rather astounding variety of baby gear, like fun retro-styled bowls and plates, soft-as-air baby blankets, Uglydolls, and amusing onesies that let parents express themselves. The prices are surprisingly affordable, too.

Behind the lavender doors of SOTA (Spirit of the Artist) is a treasure trove of unique goodies. It's billed as a gift shop, but don't let that limit you. There's a bounty of incredible finds here – ceramics, metal sculpture, paintings, glass art, jewelry, handcrafted furniture, lamps, and more – all of which happen to be handmade, functional and beautiful. Most of the inventory comes from regional artists that owner Frank Burkhauser knows personally, such as Laura Borneman, Kate Kern Mundie, Michele McManus, Tara Mackintosh and Cameron Tucker.

Retro chic is all the rage these days, and although definitions of the style differ, it's safe to say that it can include anything from about 1940 onward. Blendo specializes in items hailing from the latter part of that range, the 1960s and -70s. Think angular sofas in avocado green, beanbag chairs, brown and orange geometric rugs, dinette tables with floral-patterned vinyl covered chairs, and the like. It's like stepping back into your childhood (or someone else's, depending on your age). Accented with a couple of contemporary prints and updated accessories, this furniture can really shine and look totally fresh. Blendo also carries the retro clothes to complete the look.

If retro is your thing, Philly has a couple of winners. In addition to Blendo, which takes a more lighthearted approach, there's Moderne Gallery, which centers its energies primarily on sourcing pristine French Art Deco furniture and accessories, and maintaining the most comprehensive selection of Nakashima furniture anywhere in the US. This is more upscale retro, designer retro, if you will. You can also find some stunning American Craft Movement pieces from Wharton Esherick, David Ebner and Sam Maloof, and string paintings by David Roth. It's almost like browsing through a museum ... but if you see something you like you can take it home.

Obviously, a visitor to Philly may not consider furniture shopping a high priority. But really, it's the perfect opportunity to browse "outside the box" of your hometown's offerings. Even if you don't actually purchase anything, strolling through these stores is certain to inspire. You may be surprised by what you fall in love with!