What the ABC Carpet & Home Team Wears to Work

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The ABC Carpet & Home flagship store in New York City is like an amusement park for design addicts. The six-floor behemoth boasts every possible home decor aspiration: antique sofas on wooden floors, sparkling chandeliers hanging from high ceilings, trendy Moroccan carpets in every color, and Buddha tchotchkes for days.

ABC also offers clothing, jewelry and opulent bath products—all of which, of course, have their own charming sections inside the Flatiron store. And trust us, it's a well-oiled machine: They have a full staff that includes buyers, floor managers, graphic designers—even someone who's job it is to sprinkle glitter all over the store.

Racked paid a visit to ABC's dreamy offices so you can see what the staff wears to work and snag their best shopping advice, plus find out which home decorating trend they wish would disappear.

Becca Durnin, Product Development Coordinator, wears Citizen overalls; shoes by 100 from Park Slope boutique, Eric; vintage shirt from ABC; jewelry from ABC; NARS Schiap lipstick.

Which fashion trend would you never, ever try?
"The jelly sandal trend or scrunchies. Both remind me too much of middle school."

What's one splurge item you regret?
"I definitely have some gorgeous, insanely tall heels sitting in my closet that I never wear. To make those purchases less regrettable, I like to think of them as little sculptures."

What home decorating trend do you wish would go away?
"I still love a beautiful ikat, but I've seen enough to last me a lifetime. I'm excited to see other textile trends, like shibori, pop up and give ikat a bit of a break!"

What's the best piece of shopping advice you've ever gotten?
"My mom used to tell me, 'There will always be another pretty dress.' That helps me put things back on the rack when I really have no business buying them."

What's the craziest thing you've done for work?
"I used to be on ABC's visual team, which was so phenomenal, though our schedule isn't exactly normal since we create through the night to have this three-dimensional museum ready for the morning. Working into the wee hours crafting mobiles out of feathers, sequins and bailing wire was never uncommon."

What's the best office perk?
"Other than getting to work with creative, inspiring people who I admire, we know how to throw a great party."

Shari Gab, Director of Public Relations, wears a Marc Le Bihan shawl and sheer shirt; Alternative tank top; Kenneth Cole pants; Miu Miu sneakers; jewelry by ABC, Chanel, Tiffany & Co.

Which fashion trend would you never, ever try?
"Anything that feels outside of my true self, and anything that I wore when I was 12 to 19 that somehow recycled itself into fashion as a result of the industry's consumer-facing focus or lack of creativity. This includes Birkenstocks and FrankenFlops (stacked sandals), which do nothing for a woman's foot."

What's one splurge item you regret?
"An 'on-trend' gown for a gala rather than a vintage Comme des Garçons one from Byronesque. It was a showstopper at the gala, but I only wore it the once and then passed it on a year later to Donate My Dress. I did acquire the CDG dress later though!"

What home decorating trend do you wish would go away?
"Disposable design in general, and Shabby Chic aesthetically."

What's the best piece of shopping advice you've ever gotten?
"Oscar Wilde said, 'You can never be overdressed or overeducated,' which prescribes my indulgences: books, adventures, workshops, and Chanel."

What's the craziest thing you've done for work?
"Perhaps unorthodox, though it didn't necessarily feel crazy: Dancing unabashedly in our ABC windows in celebration of V-Day for Eve Ensler."

Renda Mansour, First Floor Manager, wears a Suno tunic; Zara shoes; Warby Parker glasses, rings by ABC.

Which fashion trend would you never, ever try?
"I don't pay attention to trends; style is much more interesting."

What's one splurge item you regret?
"I don't tend to splurge, I just shop consistently."

What home decorating trend do you wish would go away?
"Theme decorating. Our environments are a reflection of ourselves, and we're much more than one dimensional creatures."

What's the best piece of shopping advice you've ever gotten?
"Only buy what you love. And a good price does not compensate for an ill fit, unflattering color or an inferior fabric."

Alexandra Sourbis, Public Relations Manager for Carpets, wears a vintage shirt and skirt from ABC; jewelry from Catbird, Brooklyn Fleamarket, and ABC; shoes by Sol Sana.

What's one splurge item you regret?
"My Chloé shoes. Pastel suede is bound to get ruined, and with that in mind, I've worn them only once. They look mighty fine front and center in my closet though!"

What home decorating trend do you wish would go away?
"Monograming everything! If you're in my home it's safe to assume everything belongs to me."

What's the best piece of shopping advice you've ever gotten?
"Buy it, and if you don't wear it that first week, return it. You should be so excited about all your purchases that you wear them out of the store."

What's the craziest thing you've done for work?
"I tried to learn Hindu in a day to converse with one of our artisans in India. He will probably be finished with the rug before I'm finished learning the language."

What's the best office perk?
"I feel like I work at a museum where I'm allowed to touch everything. It's a childhood dream come true."

Diego Fernandez, Senior Graphic Designer, wears a Uniqlo jacket; shirt from Beacon's Closet; pants from Buffalo Exchange; shoes by Cole Haan; bracelets from ABC home; glasses from Fabulous Fanny's.

Which fashion trend would you never, ever try?
"Solar face visors, unless I'm dressing as one of the members of Daft Punk for Halloween. And do bicycles count? If so, fixed-gear bicycles—they belong at the velodrome!"

What's one splurge item you regret?
I bought a beautiful tunic in Morocco once only to come back to New York, unpack it, and realize that they switched it for an old rag full of holes and moths. I didn't throw it away though. I washed it and now my radiator at home looks fabulous."

What home decorating trend do you wish would go away?
"Buying a borrowed look, like when I walk into a home and everything is from one place. An eclectic array feels more authentic and attractive."

What's the best piece of shopping advice you've ever gotten?
"Get your clothes tailored. Luckily, I have a tailor in my family."

Yoon Park, Associate Buyer, wears Muji cardigan; a shirt from Goodwill; Benetton pants; Anthropologie shoes; ABC jewelry.

Which fashion trend would you never, ever try?
"My style is pretty classic, nothing too immodest. So, no crop tops."

What's one splurge item you regret?
"A pink handbag I purchased some years ago. I thought it was delightful and that I would use everyday, but it's too flashy. It feels irregular when I carry it! I keep thinking I'll sell it, but instead I just gaze at it in my closet, contemplate taking it out, and then go with what I love and suits me each day instead."

What home decorating trend do you wish would go away?
"I like the home to be consistent, comfortable and well-curated. Rather than an amalgamation of trends, it should be timeless. Anything not quality, anything temporary, I can do without."

What's the best piece of shopping advice you've ever gotten?
"Buy one and get rid of one. Clutter creates more clutter. Though it's an idea easier in concept than in execution, of course."

What's the best office perk?
"Working with talented people and indulging in our design pieces for myself—dangerous territory!"

Sara Weaver, Buyer, wears a Suno dress; shoes by Chelsea Crew from Meg J; ABC jewelry.

Which fashion trend would you never, ever try?
I would never want a popular luxury handbag...like the Louis Vuitton Neverfull tote bag or the Cèline Luggage bag. They're beautiful and I often ooh and aah over them, but they're overexposed in the city and it dilutes their attractiveness. I'd rather buy a local artist's work or a one-of-a-kind—something a little more rare, something special. Maybe it's living in NYC, where we are surrounded by so much talent and creativity. How could you not what to support that?"

What's one splurge item you regret?
"I bought myself a yellow citrine ring from a local designer in Seattle when I got a job offer to move to NYC. It wasn't even out of the question when the price tag appeared—which, well, it should have been. I was just so thrilled and so overwhelmed with joy that I was impulsive."

What home decorating trend do you wish would go away?
"I would be fine never seeing a paisley pattern again."

What's the best piece of shopping advice you've ever gotten?
"I called my very fashionable aunt once to get her perspective on a desired Prada bag. Her response was, 'Honey, you could fly to Milano and back for that amount. Take the trip and save the bag for another time in your life.' Her advice was spot-on. Perhaps some day, but for now memories are a better investment."

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