If you were walking around the fashion hub of SoHo in NYC, past the mingling bodies, the capital-F fashion brands, the honking horns, and the streetwear photographers– you may stumble upon Abigail Price’s gorgeous store. Abbode is a must-know hidden nook within Soho that curates local artists, designers, and vintage finds that will have you asking yourself, “how did she find this?”
We got a chance to sit down with Abby to talk about everything vintage, Abbode, and how to be a consciously cool girl in a mass-market neighborhood.
Q
What does “Abbode” mean?
A
I originally thought of Abbode when opening the brick-and-mortar store. I had been calling it “Abigail Home” before and wanted to change it up. I was googling synonyms to home and saw the word ‘abode.’ I loved how the word looked and how symmetrical it was, and I added the extra ‘b’ for Abby.
Q
What are some of your favorite local artists?
A
My favorite artists are currently Rachael Tarravechia, Claire Buckley, and Tess Ramirez. They are all based in NYC, and I carry them all in my store 😉
Q
Why is it important to support local artists?
A
Local artists make New York and other cities unique and special, and in a society where everyone is turning to Amazon and other big-box retailers for everything, not only are you helping make someone’s dream come true but you are also purchasing items that are one of a kind and more sustainable.
Q
You founded Abbode during the pandemic. Can you tell us a bit about how the home-sphere has evolved and why you chose to help cultivate people’s interior designs?
A
I think the pandemic really shifted people’s mindsets, when it came to their homes, and now everyone wants to live in a beautiful space. Many people are also intimidated about the design and sourcing process, and Abbode is a resource to help make decorating accessible.
Consumers were inside everyday for so long, and we have this urge to curate every aspect of our lives on social media, thus the perfect storm was created to bring the new widespread interest in home decor. I realized I had an eye for interiors and truly loved finding unique items, so opening the store felt like a no-brainer to turn two things I loved into a career.
Q
What is the cross-sectionality of vintage and local? Can you speak towards the sustainability aspect if you’re comfortable doing so?
A
I think that they are both ways of cutting down unnecessary costs that come from production– air travel, boat travel, and all of the other negatives that come with mass production. Sustainability is the future, and repurposing things and staying local are two ways to aid in that.
Q
If it’s not a trade secret, how do you go about curating your items? You have such an amazing array of soft tones and statement pieces.
A
Thank you so much! I travel outside of the city and love going to antique malls, really anywhere outside of Manhattan has tons of hidden gems. While sourcing I just pick out items that speak to me. It’s a combination of my gut instinct and knowing what is trendy right now. I always bring an extra empty suitcase when I’m on vacation, and do a little research on local flea markets or artists. I keep my eye out for things I like no matter where I am. I had found some amazing candles in Portugal and checked an entire suitcase full of them to bring back to the store!
