The Roman and Williams Store Is So Gorgeous, You'll Want to Move Right in
Roman and Williams Guild is here to change the way you think about furniture and decor stores, and you'll be able to sense that the second you walk in. The Guild is a store, yes, but it's more than that-not to mention, it's so gorgeous you'll wish you could live there.
Located in a building that was built in 1857 and was once home to one of America's first department stores, The Guild has turned shopping into a full-on experience. "Our store was born from wanting to reinvent the way people shop for their home," founders Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch tell House Beautiful. "Experience is everything to us, and we wanted to create a home for our objects that was unconventional."
Rather than stopping by to pick up a few things, this is the kind of place where you'll want to spend some time-and thanks to the store's café, La Mercerie, you can do just that.
Whether you're feeling a cocktail, a coffee, or a croissant, La Mercerie has you covered. Along with checking out The Guild's selection of sophisticated furniture and decor, you can also get fresh flowers by Emily Thompson, and sit and read or check out art in the store's library.
Robin and Stephen's main idea behind The Guild is this idea of storytelling, which you can definitely feel in the store. "Our main thing is encouraging one to think about the value and meaning of a home and collecting pieces that you really connect with that can be passed onto future generations."
Another fun thing to note about the store? It's redressed weekly, so you're bound to see new things every time you pop by. Speaking of which, Robin and Stephen say that while any time of day is a good time to visit the store, shopping at night is a particularly unique, relaxing experience. "We’ve made it so you can enjoy a drink and even dine in The Guild," they say. "It's a different kind of experience, almost like a test drive, but better."
You can visit The Guild at 53 Howard Street in New York City, or head to rwguild.com to shop their selection online or inquire about their furniture offerings.
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