Michele Varian

The things they sell are simply amazing — I used to come here every year to buy a birthday gift for my wife (made by a certain pair of NY-​based Japanese-​American jewelry designers).
People who worked there were knowledgeable and cheerful, and that made shopping there fun. Unfortunately, that changed this year, with uncaring cooler-​than-​thou attitude of the sales lady (who may have been tired at the end of the Christmas shopping season, but the store was empty at that particular moment). I walked out deciding to try something else this year.
The store is just as beautiful as ever, and what they stock is fantastic. But please be prepared for the attitude.

Came to SOHO for the wedding gifts for my sister and found this store. They have really good taste and those collections of plates set and home decors are both uniq and creative. I noticed that some of the stuffs are made by local (eg Brooklyn) artists and you can see how different they are from what you’ve got in department stores.
Got a marble/​wood cheese board and a set of hand-​crafted brass forks for my sister. Also got a set of wooden coasters with polished brass stands for myself. (Which is totally 200 bucks) I’ll definitely become a frequent of this cute point.

The best store for interesting gifts (and of course if you’re looking to treat yo self). Gorgeous and unusual odds & ends, jewelry, and home décor in a friendly range of price points. Beautifully curated.

As an insider in the design world for the past 5 years, I am very hard pressed to find a store that really impresses me. Walking into Michele Varian for the first time I was thrilled to find a huge assortment of items I had never seen in blogs or magazines, and at varied price points so that I could actually afford to walk away with a beautiful terrarium and pair of earrings without breaking the bank. This store is a true treasure, a rare diamond amongst the swarm of chain retailers that is SoHo. Can’t recommend this store highly enough!

Deftly curated selection of stylish, eccentric gifts and home goods, from tiny objects to tableware to pendant lamps and chairs. You would be hard pressed to walk out of here without something delightfully odd and/​or beautiful for yourself or as a gift. Best of all, the staff are always good-​natured, helpful, courteous and knowledgeable.

Woodland nymph meets Edgar Allen Poe in this little NoLiTa shop of home furnishings, jewelry and exquisite curiosities.
Michele Varian is famous for her pillows but the other stuff, ranging from wispy to WTF, will catch your eye first: ethereal glass vases, delicate jewelry, quill pens, pewter twigs, bronze bird feet, a porcelain beaver skull. She also has white sake sets and a small selection of spare tabletop merch for the anal-​retentive among you who prefer clean and modern.
I came in search of a present and wanted to buy up half the store. I decided on a lightly gilded sea urchin salt cellar, fashioned by Neptune and kissed by Midas. I loved it so much I wanted to keep it for myself. (Most of the items are one-​of-​a-​kind which is fantastic but it also means you can’t double up on purchases.)
Prices are not cheap but not outrageous either, considering that most things here are handcrafted and highly ornate. You’ll find plenty in the $ 50-​$ 100 range. Also, be aware that the shop closes early: 6 pm weekends and 7 pm weekdays.
BOTTOM LINE: The shop is excellent for gifts but it will really challenge your spirit of generosity. If you’re a selfish A-​hole, just come in and buy stuff for yourself.

Amazing silk pillows; very expensive but they are stunning and fresh.

This is a great store to try out if you’re looking for a gift. Everything stocked seems to be carefully selected. They have everything from knick knacks to pillows to antiques to candles to jewelry. I think the pillows are pretty expensive (even though I know they are handmade) but it’s still a good bet for a unique gift. Also, the salesgirls are always very friendly and helpful.

I love this place! Everything in here seems found or collected or crafted. Always changing, it is really nice to see what is new everytime I am in town.
Just last weekend I purchased a hot water bottle for those cold minnesota winters.
Between that and the doll’s hands, glass jars and pillows, you could spend a small fortune here. But it would be oh so worth it.

I cherish the handmade handbags from here! I own two and they are beautiful! All of their bags are made in their studio. Each style is being made in a limited quantity and is only available in their store or online. I have a passion for all things unique that not everybody can have because they are one of a kind! Check them out!