Bronwyn from Philadelphia

About me I’m an English Prof. I also study French and spend most summers in Paris (a great thing about teaching is summers off!) and take short trips to other places in Europe from there. I love traveling and learning about other cultures and people! I am also a cinephile and art and music fan and enjoy cities most. Why Philadelphia I moved to Philadelphia when I was 18 fo...

Feb 14, 2025

The Modern Republic Philadelphia

Midcentury home decor

""The Modern Republic" in Philadelphia is a midcentury modern home decor shop that is colorful, ebullient, high-ceilinged, and tastefully curated!"

The Modern Republic, a midcentury modern home decor shop opened by long-time friends Kenya Abdul Hadi and Steven Brown on is a colorful, ebullient and very large, high-ceilinged space filled with tastefully curated and thoughtfully placed furniture, lamps, pottery, paintings and rugs from (mostly) midcentury. I admired a set of '70s Italian red and metal dining chairs with woven seats so co-owner Steve Brown brought one down for me to sit in (surprisingly comfortable. Items, such as lamps and pottery were organized on shelves by eye-pleasing colors. Vintage art (I noted a piece by Peter Gee) shares space with more recent work with a number of pieces by local artists.

A modern republic, by definition, is a place where sovereignty rests with the people, and a big goal of Abdul Hadi and Brown is to uplift. As successful African-American males who grew up in “rough” neighborhoods in Philly, they intentionally chose a space in North Philly as they are aware that the area is typically associated with drugs, guns, crime and poverty and they wanted to offer something of beauty - vibrant works of abstract modern art, leather chairs and cool lighting. A small piece of pottery spoke to me and I took it home for $26. It looks lovely on my hall table.

Art & culture

Shopping

About this spot

1651 N 5th st

Danish Rocker:

USD

1600

Website

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