apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

A West and Green original design, the Park Bed is made from 300 year-old barn wood and black steel. The bed linens by Variagated are exclusive in New York to W & G.



Stuffed Animals from Lucy Blaire Creations

Every item in West and Green's 5,000 square-foot space has been chosen personally by John Krenek. His criteria is that he won't choose anything for the store, that he wouldn't put in his own home. The result is a mix of vintage and modern designs such as a Hans Wegner sofa, enamelware bowls from Kiln Design Studio in Brooklyn, and hurricane lamps, blown in the Czech Republic. Our personal favorite was a collection of vintage photographs of Hollywood movie stars from the '40s and '50s, some of which have never been published.

West and Green is more than just a store, with its large interior design studio in the back, and its own line of furniture, it stands out as the first large-scale high end design center in Brooklyn. Even if you feel intimated by the words high-end, W & G is definitely deserving of a visit. On our trip, we watched John take at least four shoppers on a little tour of the store's highlights, demonstrating the way the original George Nelson roll top desk opened for one couple and explaining the significance of the West German pottery to another. Also, just in time for Christmas, John is bringing a host of budget-friendly gift items into the store. We can't wait.