Shopping:Czech Design, Prague, Czech Republic (A)

The fun and funky interior of this shop speaks to its unique offerings. Conceived as a kind of design collective to showcase the creations of some of the Czech Republic’s most up and coming designers, Hard de core offers jewelry, bags, books, pillows, porcelain and a variety of other original design items. Offering the largest selection of clothing among Prague’s design shops, be sure to check out Chi Chi, the owner’s own fashion label. And if you’re lucky, you might stop by on a day where you can view some of the designers at work through the large window looking into the second half of the store, which serves as a workshop.

Situated on the ground floor of Prague’s first cubist building – The House of the Black Madonna, designed by architect Josef Gočár in 1912 – it’s no wonder this eclectic little shop on the corner specializes in Czech cubist design. Offering hand made reproductions of ceramics and other crafts by the leading members of the Czech cubist movement; Kubista also offers restored original furniture and other objects from the same period, as well as art deco pieces, along with contemporary works from today’s Czech design stars. Browse the shop’s collection of design books, posters, postcards and other unique finds before heading up to the Museum of Czech Cubism and the Grand Café Orient on the building’s upper floors.

Just around the corner from Kubista, and inside one of Prague’s many passages, Modernista also offers reproductions and a handful of restored originals from the golden age of Czech design (1910-1938). Including cubist furniture, ceramics and clocks, as well as modernist furniture, lamps and toys. Modernista uses the same materials, processes and technologies in its reproductions and restorations that were used during the period. Be sure not to miss some Czech classics including the Loos chaise lounge by Adolf Loos and the tubular armchair by Jindřich Halabala. As well as offering its own selection of postcards, posters and books, Modernista also features original new Czech designs by leading designers Rony Plesl, Jiří Pelci and Olgoj Chorchoj, among others.

Although this square-shaped shop is small in size, it has a big reputation both at home and abroad. Founded as both a studio and store by well-known Czech designer Jakub Berdych, Qubus put itself on the map through its innovative-and often, what some might consider quirky-contemporary designs. Featuring mainly small glass and porcelain objects, the shop’s minimalistic interior exudes sophistication and cool. Among its designers – the Czech Republic’s cream of the crop – Maxim Velčovský is the mind behind the works which the city associates with the store: a pair of porcelain Wellington boots with the country’s traditional Delft or blue onion pattern and a bust of Lenin’s head in the same motif called “Ornament and Crime”. In addition to this shop, Qubus studio also has a store in Prague’s Dox Center for Contemporary Arts.

Perhaps the mother of all of Prague’s Czech design shops in terms of size and selection, Futurista is a place you feel like you want to hang out in for a while. As is frequently the case in Prague, the building the shop is housed in lends itself to unique architectural features including wood-beamed ceilings and arched entryways. Along with its inviting atmosphere, the store boasts a myriad number of glass cases of jewelry, porcelain and ceramics, furniture and clothing, glassware and a nice selection of design magazines and books. Have a look at the bear shaped salt and peppershakers from Lenka Malíská, the furniture, clocks and decorative plates from Llev design studio and the jewelry by Markétá Richterová. Besides offering 100% Czech designs from both well-established and emerging designers, Futurista makes it accessible to purses of many sizes by offering affordable design. Before you begin your shopping, consider heading upstairs to the Jaroslav Fragner gallery; the only gallery in the city that presents exclusively architecture exhibitions.

At Pop Out, the fun begins at the entryway with a set of pink stairs that lead you into a truly original interior that feels like your best friend’s apartment. To the left, a desk displays Czech-made Papelote paper products. Tables set up in the center of the shop feature porcelain and glass home accessories, tableware and kitchen goods. Wall decorations, clocks and other fun products adorn the walls. The highlight of the shop’s interior is a raised platform set in front of the store’s windows, which displays the coolest cat scratching posts you’ll ever see. Although the majority of the items are from Czech designers, the shop mixes it up with a few international labels as well. Located on the other side of the Vltava river from the other shops, Pop Out is the creation of Czech designers Eva Zachová and Klára Šebestáková.