Abodeon

This is one of those stores that makes me wish I had a house so I could fill it with stuff from here! With an eclectic but well curated mix of vintage and modern marvels of design, Abodeon is now definitely on my rotation for Christmas shopping (too soon?)/birthday shopping/​shopping for myself!
I’m all for local businesses, but as a college student sometimes I’m forced to «look but don’t touch» because of budgetary considerations. One thing I appreciate about Abodeon is the range of prices. Sure, some pieces are splurges, like a sideboard designed by one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s students at Taliesin. On the other hand, there are plenty of items in the $ 25 and under category to make me feel like I can realistically shop here.
For example, I picked up a colorful set of 4 Japanese rice bowls for $ 26. They make me happy and I can’t wait to incorporate them into my daily life! Some of the jewelry is also not too pricey. I got a pair of sterling silver love knot earrings for $ 30 that could’ve been $ 50 at a department store.
It’s not a huge store, so there was only one employee when I was here. I always feel awkward when I’m the only person browsing in a shop, but she was super helpful and nice about me trying on jewelry. The return policy is clear for an independent business: store credit with the receipt within 30 days. They took back an unwanted Christmas gift without any hassle at all.
In the past I’ve been harsh about «design» stores like this (e.g. Black Ink) because it can be tough to find things that you actually want/​need to purchase that aren’t just worthless cutesy novelties. I feel like Abodeon is what Black Ink wishes it were! I usually do my gift shopping in Harvard Square, but together with Nomad and Irish Imports, Abodeon makes me want to keep walking down Mass Ave!

Great stuff here, cool items for little gift giving. I get to experience subtle shopping while brown sensation here, that genuine feeling and concern with what you’re doing and intention from the lady staff.
Lost my interest and enthusiasm to this place

Just left this store after being told (quite rudely) by a store attendant that it was a cell phone free store. I was quietly talking (whispering) on the phone with my mother asking if my father would like the gift I was about to purchase. I walked out. Apparently, I didn’t see the anti-​cellphone signage. My father loved the present I purchased him last year (a wine decanter) from the store. I find the items very unique and well curated, however I will never step foot in this store again due to the condescending customer service.

This is a great store to find a beautiful and unique gift. The prices are reasonable. I found something for everyone in the family … nice classy items for their stockings. It is so great to patronize these small businesses … WAY, WAY better than the big box stores. They even have fun music playing. I highly recommend checking it out.

I love their selection of mid-​mod pieces. Their prices are high as expected but it’s one of those classy stores you walk into knowing there’s nothing you can buy but go in anyways to admire.
With that being said, just go in and admire the pieces for what they are… art, which is why they are going to have a higher price mark than what you find or get at ikea. Personally, I’ve got nothing against Ikea, I love them lol but this is more vintage and one of a kind. I’ll be back to admire their fancy paper weights and gnarled pieces of wood. If you’re into Japanese pottery or ceramic plate sets they’ve got those too!

I really like Abodeon. It is a go-​to for browsing and I own a healthy number of nice items from here. The store is really brilliantly curated and a great mix of new and old and reproduction type items.
The new items are well-​chosen and not easy to find elsewhere. There’s a good mix of items in various price ranges as well.
I do disagree with some of the reviewers about the prices being reasonable (which to me means about what you should pay). I think the prices are all slightly high, but more generally for the vintage items. I’ve gotten Catherineholm items and Bennington pottery much cheaper on Etsy. I also think they want too much for some of the vintage glass. But you’re paying for the setting, the curating, and the really nice shopping experience, so it’s worth it.
I think the staff are generally pleasant enough. However, they do not seem to understand how to pack fragile items for poeple who have a long walk home. Porter Square is really a pedestrian area, so it would be nice if there was a way to pack up glassware and mirrors so that if someone bumps you and you drop somethign on the sidewalk (or the floors in the Gallery at Porter) they don’t break.

Rarely can you find a boutique that showcases housewares and furniture, both new and used, from the 20^th and 21^st centuries. I can’t think of any other place you can pick up a vintage Finn Juhl turning tray or a flawless Paul McCobb dresser amongst shelves of tasteful, new items ranging from walnut cutting boards, to cathrineholm kitchen towels, to innovative and useful knick knacks like magnets, cassini scissors, soap dishes, books, and pens.
Situated around Lesley University and Harvard, a student population may consider the wares here to be expensive compared to Ikea or Target. When pricing good quality, solid vintage modern furniture and accessories, the prices are reasonable and accessible. You can probably find a solid wood dresser for $ 700 here, and if you compare that to national chain stores like CB2, Crate and Barrel or West Elm which may use a lot more particleboard/​engineered wood, you are getting a better value for something that will last. If you are looking for a nice quality, classy gift in the $ 25-​$ 75 range that is new, you can find something here.
The store is comfortable to browse around in and the staff is always welcoming without being too in-​your-​face.

Abodeon is a fun place to wander through. Every nook and cranny is stuffed with Container Store type knick knacks that could actually be super useful, mixed in with Danish furniture, vintage pieces and really expensive handmade gifts. It’s too expensive for me, but if you’re looking for a truly unique gift and have the money to spend, this is the spot to search.

At first glance it might seem expensive, but in fact the prices are exceptionally reasonable for what you’re getting. Everything is high quality, thought inspiring, and unique. You can easily find gifts under $ 40 that anyone with intelligence and good taste would be thrilled to receive, and that you would be proud to give. Compared to other gift shops located in Harvard Square and up and down the length of Massachusetts Avenue, this place is a bargain!

Abodeon has the ability to make me hate my friends.
As a kind and thoughtful human being, you try to get your friends clever and lovely holiday/​birthday/​anniversary gifts. You step inside of Abodeon with the intent of surprising your friend with a useful and necessary item they’ve never heard of but always wanted.
You spend the next 30 minutes looking at shelves full of kitchenware, glassware, gadgets and shiny things. There are flat wall lamps that look like desk lamps. There are retro couches with signs that say you can’t sit on them. There are candles that are begging for you to light them.
And you realize, no one ever buys you gifts from Abodeon. No one ever surprises you with something you never needed from this wonderous gift store.
You then walk the back half of the store, angry at your friends, hate seeping into your veins.
And then you stumble upon the little grove in the back full of kids toys. And all is better because you decide to get all of your breeder friends something from that area. You smile as you hold that wool stuffed animal in your hands because you know you’ll always be the thoughtful friend, even if no one reciprocates.

Appallingly poor customer service. To quote Absolutely Fabulous, «you only work in a shop, you can drop the attitude.»

Great selection of original midcentury furniture and home items intermixed with new renditions. Friendly staff who appear to keep their distance unless approached, which is my preferred method of shopping. Prices vary, some newly mass produced items appeared overpriced, while other, more unique finds were more reasonably priced.

This incredible store hosts a wide range of items, from imported Scandinavian, modern-​looking house items like salad bowls, cheese slicers and magnetic knick-​knacks to sleek tea-​infusers and quite a few other items. There is an amazing selection of stuff there, for all kinds of budgets as well.
The selection and amount of stuff there is amazing and will leave you wishing you had more disposable income. But if you look carefully, you might be able to pick something up at an affordable price. The girlfriend and I did. This is a great store for presents as most of their stuff is unique and interesting — but it can come at a price in a lot of cases.
The staff is friendly and the place very clean. This store is awesome and is essentially any interior designer’s wet dream. Or any design fan for that matter.

this place has great gift ideas and always is a fun place to explore. it isnt in the most convenient location for window shopping, but if youre taking a stroll from porter to harvard, its a great place to stop.
the biggest criticism i have is that most of the items here are a little overpriced. i like some of the ideas that they have, and like i said, they have great gift ideas, but they are just a little bit expensive. most of the kitchenware is very high-​end, but some of the other home goods are more reasonably priced. ive gotten a few fun picture frames or wall hangings here, and have definitely gotten complemented on the unique pieces. definitely unique and fun, but sometimes a little out of my price range.

As a current resident of Boston, I always feel MOMA design store envy when spending an extended weekend in New York. My Memorial Day time at the museum resulted in two blomus tea sticks and a wonderful German lighter.
During a recent trip across the river to Cambridge, I made it a point to visit Abodeon. My new blomus salad plate and tongs are beautiful; they pair beautifully with the tea sticks. Bottom line: If you appreciate good design, Abodeon is your source!
Hmmm, I have never experienced the lackluster customer service. Though, I am familiar with the store’s brands and have never needed assistance with purchases.

THE PLACE to buy a gift or vintage home furnishing.
Dale and his small staff are all dedicated to housing only the cream of the crop in eames era, danish modern and german design. What some are equating to rude service I regard as «hands-​off» and relaxing. Why would they just start talking to you? If you have a question they are very responsive and helpful with getting your the information you need. I applaud the no cell phone policy adding to the zen-​like «experience» of shopping at Abodeon. If you need to pick up a call or make one is it really a big deal for you to hit the sidewalk so that we can carry on shopping with only whatever record Dale has spinning on the turntable and oozing from the delicious sounding massive vintage box speakers as background noise.
I have bought items big and small here and love them all!!:
vintage 20’s-60’s silver jewelry
knives (for my knife throwing act, with apologies to lefty)
mixing bowls
danish Modern cork screw
George Nelson stereo cabinet (mmm)
vintage machine era desk lamp
ceiling globe light
martini glasses
.and the list goes on and will continue to !
Finally, I have to say… you get what you pay for here. If you think the price is not fair, talk it through. Maybe you can work something out.

I honestly have never felt like I was being held in contempt by a store prior to walking into this place. The employees are rude, anything but personable, and downright disrespectful. They need to take whatever Danish stick they have out of their ass, and learn some customer service. Prices are fair for what they sell, but the inventory is incredibly boring.
Take note, Unilocalers: this is a recurring theme in the negative reviews for Abodeon.

I have a habit of liking to buy things I’m going to keep. Much of the mid-​20s young professional crowd is in love with the Goodwill and craigslist for all of their furnishing needs. Me, I like having a few things in my house that I’m really proud of, and enjoy looking at every day. Abodeon is full of some truly beautiful mid-​century furnishings. It will cost you, especially if you’re on a budget, but you’ll come home with a well-​made, beautiful piece of something that you can take with you everywhere you go.
I’ve been back here a couple times now, finding a cool hanging lamp, an end table, and then a table lamp. People visiting my apartment for the first time without fail make comment on these items. If you’re looking to invest a little in a beautiful item or two to have around your house, this is the place!

If you love Danish modern, this is the shop for you. The furniture and some of the home décor items are vintage, and the prices certainly adjust for inflation. But, have no fear about purchasing used furniture here. Every single vintage item they sell is in superb condition.
Abodeon also curates an adorable selection of new house wares, books, jewelry, gifts, and knick knacks. The prices are on par for the goods. And this isn’t stuff you’ll find at Ikea, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc. Shop here when you want something unique.

Think: good design. That’s the theme of this store. You can tell that it’s all gathered by someone with impeccable taste and knowledge of the field. Turns out, when we talked to the owner, he told us that he was once a furniture designer, and his partner also had a long-​time career in the arts, at a modern art museum.
As you walk through the store, everything just keeps getting better and better. Some incredible finds – Eva Zeisel, Iitala, and many more! Most is new, but a couple were second-​hand but in great condition. Around every corner there’s something else – bamboo cutting boards, bowls made of chopsticks, a kneeling chair, incredible dressers, brightly designed tea towels.
Step inside this museum of design aka the store: abodeon, and you’ll have a hard time coming out without a purchase and a few more in mind for the future!