Neat Neighborhood Find: Urban Essentials

I realize that I should change the title of these posts from “Neat Neighborhood Find” to “Awesome Shops on U Street”. For here is another awesome shop on U Street. Urban Essentials located at 1330 U Street is great spot for all sorts of unique furniture. I spoke with one of the owners, David Schaefer, last Saturday. The store is in its 8th year on U Street. To put that in perspective Schaefer explained that when they opened the Ellington (big apartment building across the street) was a parking lot that used to hold a huge flea market. At the time this location was quite reasonably priced even though it was less than one block from 14th Street. Other reasons why they chose this spot was because the space was big enough to show all the furniture plus they knew lots of development was coming. I’d say they chose wisely because whenever I walk by there always seem to be folks coming in and out of the shop.

Schaefer explained that the goal of the shop is “to bring affordable furniture with designer quality”. They have high end furniture from the Bontempi line as well as more traditional Stanley furniture. Schaefer explained that “we don’t niche ourselves in one particular style…we specialize in small scale pieces, for small apartments, that fit an urban lifestyle”. Pieces come from Italy, Portugal, Spain, Canada, North Carolina, California, Wisconsin and elsewhere. And you’ll be glad to know they offer delivery. After the jump check out lots of photos of the interior.

This outdoor furniture set was super cool as the pieces are stacked inside the chair.

Nice storage in this bed.