WHAT'S IN STORE: CHECKING IN WITH THE BEST HOME BOUTIQUES AROUND THE COUNTRY

Finding a home store with one stop shopping makes life so much simpler. Knowing you can walk in, find something unusual and beautiful--that is what makes a shop great. Luscious displays, a plethora of books, candles, objets for tablescapes and quick hostess gifts are all tell tale signs that you have found such a place.
A few worth mentioning: Mecox Gardens, Dovecote and HB Home in Westport, CT, William- Wayne in New York City, and Hollyhock in Los Angeles. These stores have stood the test of time, have owners that each possess a hawk eye and are in constant pursuit of good style.


Mecox Gardens' man behind the scenes is Mac Hoak. He oversees the product selection at 7 locations, the newest being Chicago and Dallas. What makes this store tick? An elegant living room atmosphere, things you actually want to live with and a selection of varied objects that have a nice patina, texture, and point of view.

Photo Courtesy of Mecox Gardens
Mecox Gardens in LA with its gracious, spacious layout has plenty room to roam.

Photo Courtesy of Mecox Gardens

Photo Courtesy of Mecox Gardens
Check out the amazing inventory on Mecox Gardens


William-Wayne has been a trusted home resource for New Yorkers since 1989. Receiving a gift wrapped in their distinctive beige packaging with green ribbon means getting something in good taste! Chinese garden seats and end tables are topped with woven placemats, serving pieces, dessert plates and frog salt and pepper shakers. Tables are stacked high with Mottahedeh tin plates, Raynaud china, home scents, and barware. Walls are covered in charming brackets with vases, sconces and framed botanicals. The mix is the thing here. Every surface is covered with style, much of it easy on the wallet.






Their web site captures their spirit online, with their dapper monkey logo at William-Wayne

Dovecote, run by Sarah Kaplan hit Westport Connecticut by storm in 2000. By way of Seattle and her store Great Jones, her eye was honed from years on antiquing in the South of France. Sarah selects items that appeal to the feminine, girly, charming side we all have. Anthousa room fragrance, Kai Hawaiian floral perfume and Graham Kandiah nestle in next to Madeline Weinrib (of ABC Carpet and Home) bright silk Ikat pillows, Hinson and other to the trade fabric lines, and Oly furniture. To top it all of, well edited jewelry is displayed throughout. Vignettes around the store capture great moments in design. A vitrine full of white coral is a statement unto itself.





Look at the vignette photos on her website at Dovecote


HB Home, located in Westport's charming Sconset Square, was started by Pat Healing of Healing and Barsanti Interiors. This two floor shop has to the trade fabrics at retail displayed on clever cube shelving, all arranged by color. Gourd lamps, bright pillows and terrific framed prints dot the landscape. Upstairs a bedding vignette and sofa centric seating area have the feel of a well stocked home. Design services are available, and make sure to look out for the cut corner upholstered headboards--they are terrific.






For more info about the design firm and shop, go to Healing Barsanti


LA's Hollyhock is a must shop stop. An old post office, the incredible space is always painted an eye catching hue-- be it canary yellow or lipstick red. Chicness abounds, as antiques from near and far are mixed in with Robert Kime fabrics, William Yeoward Crystal and rare finds. Designer Suzanne Rheinstein brings her Southern charm to the space, often hosting book parties for industry luminaries. Her interior design studion is upstairs---how inspiring it must be to emerge step into a treasure trove every day!

Photo Courtesy of Hollyhock Inc.

Photo Courtesy of Hollyhock Inc.
A special upholstery line and unique antiques can be viewed at Hollyhock Inc.

Photo Courtesy of Hollyhock, Inc.
These hand-painted panels from an 18th Century screen are divine. Chinoiserie at its best!

MARTHA STEWART COLLECTION HAS ARRIVED!

For those of us who long for the days when we could peruse the wonderful Martha Stewart Catalog and see gorgeous Burleighware, signature green counter top appliances and charming embroidered bed linens--our day has come! The Martha Stewart Collection is now at Macys! If you like to see your purchases in person go to the store and if you like to order everything at the click of a button hit the website. Check out the inspired items that could only come from a company so true to designing with a nod to American culture and historical style:

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Collection
Faux bois accents for the bath

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Collection
Soothing and classic blue bedding

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Collection
Lorraine tabletop, looks hand picked out of Marche Aux Puces!

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Collection

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Collection

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Collection
A Rooster cutting board. Cut those heirloom tomatoes with flair.

ONLY at Macy's!

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW

By now your garden is growing strong with great big blooms and greenery. If you want to make your garden even better and bring the garden flair inside, look at the picks below to stay inspired!

Photo Courtesy of John Derian
If your flowers look something like this consider yourself blessed. John Derian, the master of decoupage, always finds the sweetest prints to use in his designs. Wall mounted plates are a great alternative to wallpaper....Check out the vast selection of plates of every shape and size at John Derian

Photo Courtesy of New York Botanical Shop in the Garden
Add a touch of whimsy to your hydrangeas with Dragonfly Plant Stakes from The New York Botanical Shop in the Garden. Their buyers manage to come up with delightful finds like this.

Photo Courtesy of The Elegant Earth
English garden ornaments evoke a gentler more gentrified time. Statuary, orbs and urns were all present in the gardening oasis known for moist air and the perfect rose. Find this majestic Large Garden Finial plus many other classic ornamentation at The Elegant Earth

Photo Courtesy of Pablo Mekis
Embroidery has the ability to show incredibly realistic details. The best pillows around are handmade in Chile from Pablo Mekis. The array of sea life, critters and flora is sublime. Available through Pablo Mekis Creative Pillow Covers

Photo Courtesy of Inner Gardens
L.A.'s best garden resource Inner Gardens carries an incredible array of antique and new planters and furniture. These 1920's concrete planters are easy to covet. Check out the choices at Inner Gardens and do not miss their warehouse.


Photo Courtesy of Nantucketinc.com
The Arbor Gardener Basket from Nantucket Inc has storage space in the center for gloves and seed packets.

Photo Courtesy of Napa Home and Garden
Take the freshly cut stems and place them in a bright tulipiere. Yellow is the color now and for fall. Find it at stores that carry Napa Home and Garden.

Photo Courtesy of Pierre Frey
Espalier wallpaper from Pierre Frey is just the thing to liven up a sun room. The leaves and orderly pattern created by the vines is free flowing and symmetrical. Or you can use it because it is totally charming!

Photo Courtesy of Campo de Fiori
Buying new aged and seasoned looking planters is great because the worn patina is already there. These Aged Woven Planters come from Campo de Fiori, the best terra cotta source.


Photo Courtesy of Rice
Low maintenance plastic goes a long way in the summer. These great plastic planters come in a rainbow of colors from Rice add a touch of whimsy to the garden. Find them at Rice

GET YOUR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Photo courtesy of Penkridge Ceramics
These fruits and veggies look so real you will want to show them in your living room not in the kitchen where they will be mistaken for the real thing. Stunning color and intricate detail come together to create a beautiful masterpiece. Even the leaves on the stem have realistic tiny holes from where the caterpillar got to them.
Look at the incredible assortment online.
Photo Courtesy of Penkridge Ceramics
Monochromatic fruits and vegetables have a striking appearance. The starkness of their color allows the intricate detail of each piece to show. These life like porcelain pieces are available through Penkridge Ceramics

Photo Courtesy of Asiaphile
A pineapple is the sign of welcoming, so I cannot think of a better instant greeting then this on your evening bag! Light and summery from Asiaphile

Photo Courtesy of Pablo Mekis
Welcome one and all to your home when you have these throw pillows gracing your sofa. Available through Pablo Mekis

Photo Courtesy of Homart
A geometric pattern with fruit are fresh traditional. These porcelain vessels are great for the garden room and friends that love style. From Areo Home


Photo Courtesy of Charleston Gardens
Enamelware is great for inside and outside entertaining. Add some freshness to the table with these Cabbage and Radish place settings from Charleston Gardens


Porcelain flowers by Vladimir are painstakingly detailed to resemble the real thing. Available through Vladimir Collection

WOVEN TOGETHER

Photo Courtesy of R.K Alliston
These storage baskets can be used in the office, mud room or playroom. The lids make them easy to stack. These are worth importing from London's best garden shop, R.K. Allison

Photo Courtesy of Flamant Home
Homestores that have it all in Paris are unusual. This is one of the many reasons Flamant is terrific. They bring a chic, cool, easy lifestyle to the Parisian home. Now available stateside through Rene by Flamant in Tennessee, you can check their website for their stock of old and new items. This classic cane seat Luis Side Chair is a great dinner party chair when seating is a crunch.

Photo Courtesy of Ralph Lauren Home
Finding a summery chair with a nice scale and comfortable seat is challenging. This new classic, the Joshua Tree Dining Chair from Ralph Lauren Home is just the thing.

Photo Courtesy of Artesia Collection
The scale, modern slant of the arm and cushions on this woven sofa make is great for a living room, pool house or loggia. Check out the summery outdoor fabrics from Seacloth, Brunschwig and Schumacher to add the necessary punch of color.
Photo Courtesy of Artesia Collection
Light and easy, this woven table looks great in a blue and white room. Add some chinese porcelain lamps on the side tables, a textured throw on the sofa and you have instant elegance.


A Nantucket Lightship Lamp from Shades of Light provides a constant reminder of The Gray Lady, as the island is known. These baskets are not as pricey as the antique originals but a great way to get the look. Available from Shades of Light

Photo Courtesy of Ballard Designs
Keep food cool in style with the insulated basket from Ballard Designs. The great thing about this is the section for wine and the super sturdy handle. Now get 15% off!