7 Trends We Discovered Walking Through 1stdibs’ 45,000-Square-Foot Gallery

A veritable design education.

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There’s a sense of stately grandeur when we first walk out of the elevator into the 1stdibs Gallery, located in Terminal Stores near NYC’s new Hudson Yards development on opening night, and it’s not just due to the fact that we’re already brushing shoulders with style mavens like Olivia Palermo and Jenna Lyons.

Only a few vignettes are within sight from the gallery’s lobby, but each is a sign of things to come. There is a lot to process in the 45,000 square feet that follow. There’s a sculptural Sun Shade sconce by Anna Karlin hanging over a Nima Abili contemporary seat made of white tiles and black grout. There’s the glimpse of a Gucci pillow set atop a lucite and pink velvet chair. There are Scandinavian antiques and Jean Cocteau lithographs. Of course, there is a color-coordinated series of one of 1stdibs’s best-selling item: Faye Toogood’s Roly Poly Chair.

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Photography by Aaron Bengochea

This is the magic of the online marketplace’s new physical space: It’s a veritable design education contained within 45,000 square feet. 50 exhibitors (and many more on the waiting list—patiently standing by for a coveted booth) share the space, ranging from rare antique dealers to contemporary makers and fine art galleries. The 19th-century brick warehouse space is a collection of the best in interior design from the 17th century to today.

While there is only a limited inventory—1stdibs’ website counts around 4000 dealers and 860,000 items—it’s enough to absorb in one walk-through and feel as though you’ve just graduated from design school. The online marketplace makes this even easier with an app that invites people to scan QR codes to have direct access to the item’s website listing.

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Photography by Aaron Bengochea

In a way, this modern shopping method removes the intimidating nature of antique shopping. In fact, walking through 1stdibs gallery is more akin to visiting a museum—only every item is shoppable. There are no pushy gallerists or snooty antique dealers here. Just a few friendly staffers peppered through the space and ready to assist.

We highly recommend spending an afternoon in this breathtaking space, but if this isn’t in the cards for you in the near future, here are a roundup of the items and trends that stopped us dead in our tracks during our visit.

Fringe Benefits at Manfredi Style

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Photography by Aaron Bengochea

Founded in Florence, Italy, Manfredi Style curates a unique assortment of contemporary furniture, lighting, and art—like fringed velvet stools and sconces from whimsical brand Houtique, sports-inspired graphic rugs by Pieces, and sunset-hued acrylic console tables by Korean designer Sareom Yoon. Expect saturated colors, velvet, fringes, and acrylic pieces.

The Power of Orbs at Ladies & Gentlemen Studio

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Photography by Aaron Bengochea

Hailing from Brooklyn, Ladies & Gentlemen Studio creates eye-catching lighting that feels almost like mobiles—carefully suspended and perfectly balanced. To showcase its assortment of lighting, the design studio focused on round shapes in its decor, adding a round rug and table with assorted floor pillows to create the perfect pastel space.

Guccification at Forsyth

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Photography by Aaron Bengochea

In Forsyth’s booth, twin sisters, Maggie and Anne Genovese effortlessly paired refurbished mid-century sofas and chairs with the popular Gucci embroidered pillows from the fashion brand’s decor line to create an aesthetic that’s irresistibly cool. The studio specializes the restoration of modern furniture, reupholstering pieces with natural hides and fabrics sourced from around the world.

’80s Revival at Sasha Bikoff

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Photography by Aaron Bengochea

NYC-based interior designer Sasha Bikoff is known for her fearless ’80s-inspired aesthetic that often marries Memphis Milano design with Miami Vice tendencies. In her booth at the 1stdibs gallery, we found dollar bill–upholstered barstools, vintage chairs upholstered in psychedelic silk fabrics, and her own bespoke collection of rugs that feature large disco dots and zodiac signs.

Organic Modernism at Chango & Co.

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Photography by Aaron Bengochea

In the vignette created by interior design firm Chango & Co., we found dark walls and neutral textured antiques—boucle sofas and veined marble tables—on Moroccan rugs. But what really made the space stand out was the array of ceramics and leafy greenery with pops of Klein blue accessories. Though the firm isn’t a dealer per say, its trend-driven vignette is one of the most eye-catching.

Carefully Packaged Antiques at Morentz

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Photography by Aaron Bengochea

The Netherlands-based vintage dealer Morentz specializes in 20th-century design—something that’s not uncommon at 1stdibs. But what sets this gallery apart from the rest is the attention to detail: Antiques are carefully restored by 40 restorators, upholsterers, interior advisors, and art historians or so and are carefully packaged to the highest of standards. Think of it as the Net-a-Porter packaging of antiques.

Scandinavian Sensibilities at Lost City Arts

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Photography by Aaron Bengochea

Scandinavian style may have been a little overplayed in the decor world lately, but not this kind. At Lost City Arts, every piece is carefully selected and presented in a way that makes Scandinavian design feel new again. Womblike boucle chairs and velvet camelback settees coexist in the booth of this leader in 20th-century antiques.

Shop our favorite finds from the 1stdibs Gallery:

Discover more of our favorite destinations: The New 1stdibs Concept Store Is a Design-Lover’s Dream—Peek Inside A Design Lover’s Field Guide to Upstate New York Plot Twist: Schoolhouse’s Ultra-Cool New Store Was Once a Detective Bureau

Gabrielle Savoie

Writer/Editor

Gabrielle is most often found digging through 1stdibs in search of Tobia Scarpa sofas, hunting down the newest cool hotels, or singing the praises of Art Nouveau. She spends an inordinate amount of time looking at real estate floor plans and listening to podcasts. In her free time, you’ll likely find her bouncing on a trampoline at Fithouse, snacking on a crudo at the latest cocktail bar, antiquing for French silverware, or dogsitting for anyone who will ask—yes, even you.