Best of the New
Shopping
Spanish style, name-brand bargains, home accessories, and secondhand anything.
January 25, 2009
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Company C
Spruce up your space with shots of color from Company C, a Concord, New Hampshire-based home design company that set up an outpost in Hingham in December 2007, too late to make last year's list. Bursting with items in shades from turquoise to tangerine, it stocks all the makings of a beautiful home, like striped rugs, polka-dot pillows, and velvet divans. Derby Street Shoppes, 94 Derby Street, Hingham, 781-740-2257, companyc.com
Grand
A welcome addition to the Union Square neighborhood, Grand is an oh-so-trendy spot where you can buy hand-block-printed tea towels or locally produced cocktail glasses, and then join, say, a whiskey tasting. Check online for upcoming events. Besides home goods, the shop sells apparel, art, and unique gifts. 374 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, 617-623-2429, grandthestore.com
Hudson
Families fleeing the city for greener pastures no longer have to trek to this South End home design mainstay -- a branch of Hudson is now ensconced in downtown Wellesley. The suburban set will love this airy location, stocked with classic wares and offbeat accessories, like faux bois mirrors and animal-skin rugs. 61A Central Street, Wellesley, 781-239-0025, hudsonboston.com
Marmalade
The offerings at graphic designer Leigh Standley's jewel box of a gift shop (many items sold here are made by women) are especially sweet. Painted in a warm, vibrant orange, the space is accented with colorful wares -- everything from mod bib/burp sets and vintage-inspired aprons to cotton-ticking pillows and recycled-sweater gloves. 695 Belmont Street, Belmont, 617-484-0093
NicoleMarie Fashion
Stylistas, start your engines. NicoleMarie has expanded from Concord and Nantucket to Newburyport. Stock up on of-the-moment frocks, fancy underthings, and designer denim by coveted designers like Trina Turk, See by Chloe, and La Perla. Owners David and Marissa Fondots offer a luxe experience, serving shoppers Italian caffe in real china. 20 Pleasant Street, 978-499-8899, and 12 State Street, 978-961-0354, both in Newburyport,nicolemariefashion.com
Janus et Cie and EcoModern Design
When one of the most design-forward outdoor-furnishings companies sets up a 9,000-square-foot presence at the Boston Design Center, even decorating neophytes take notice. Indeed, Janus et Cie's massive showroom expansion marks Boston's ascension in the world of exteriors. Also on deck at the BDC this year: David Sanborn's new all-green EcoModern Design showroom. Janus et Cie, Boston, 617-737-5001, janusetcie.com; EcoModern Design, Boston, 617-261-0300,ecomoderndesign.com
Moda
Alessandra Miele and Alicia Orr, the gorgeous (and eternally fit) duo behind North End Yoga, breathe life into workout wear at their Zenned-out shop Moda. Expect yoga tops and bottoms with psychedelic patterns and earthy icons by hard-to-find labels like Victoria Keen and Ancient Language. You'll find yourself uplifted, without ever striking a pose. 57 Salem Street, Boston, 617-227-6632
Passport
Don't take off without a trip to Passport, a worldly Harvard Square boutique where Cambridge native Jessica Good curates a chic assemblage of versatile clothing and travel-related accessories. In addition to dresses in easy-to-pack knits, she stocks carry-on bags, clutches, sunglasses, and adapter kits (in cute cases, of course). 43 Brattle Street, Cambridge, 617-576-0900
Espeso
Nothing too good for little Fifi and Mittens? Paw through this luxury pamper-your-pet South End boutique for items like yogurt/honey shampoo, aromatherapy spritzers, custom-made sleep pillows, and even modern art furniture for your furry friends. The experienced owners at Espeso hail from a luxury grooming spa in Rio de Janeiro. 1180 Washington Street, Boston, Suite 101,617-670-1200
Front
With an online name like Bob's Your Uncle (a Briticism for "You're all set"), you know this shop has a sense of humor. The owners, Martin and Michele Yeeles, are two clever creative types from jolly old England, and they stock fun stationery, plates, and gifts in this Fort Point shop, along with "green" products like yoga bags and felt laptop sleeves. 25 Channel Center Street, Boston, 857-362-7289, bobsyouruncle.com
MNG by MangoWhat H & M is to Sweden, MNG is to Spain, just a little bit pricier (though most items are under $100) and more European. Collections range from evening and office styles to sportswear and jeans. With sexy sisters Monica and Penelope Cruz as design consultants, seductive silhouettes go without saying. The Shops at Prudential Center, Boston, 617-266-0084, mngbymango.com
Oak
This cute-as-a-button Back Bay shop (Oak stands for "one of a kind") is chock-full of handmade crafts. Re-purposed kicky clothes share space with cherry-pie rings for your fingers, scarves shaped like bacon and eggs, and lighting fixtures made from Tupperware. No kidding. 31 Gloucester Street, Boston, 857-362-7311, oakboston.com; Oak moves to 245 Newbury Street in early February
American GirlSince its launch in 1986 featuring role-model dolls with historically charming back stories, this girl-empowering company remains on nearly every little girl's "It" list. The brand's first local store (at Natick Collection) is already a huge hit, with shopping, bistro dining, and even a doll hair salon. Natick Collection, 888-777-0010, americangirl.com
CUSPA high-wattage, trendy offshoot of
Monella Saving Harvard Square gals from Jasmine Sola withdrawal, this girly boutique took over their former location and filled it with similarly trendy designers, from J Brand and Earnest Sewn to James Perse and Velvet. We also love their cozy cotton camisoles, Hanky Panky underwear, and Turkish towels and sheets. 29 Brattle Street, Cambridge, 617-876-6100
OkaidiYour kids will appreciate adorable French children's wear company Okaidi, which has opened its first US store in Natick. The product philosophy is all about letting girls and boys (up to size 14) make their own creative clothing choices, with an emphasis on fun colors, charming mix-and-match styles, and comfy fabrics. Natick Collection, 508-655-2205, okaidi.com
Cabin FeverNo ho-hum pieces here. Expect truly exceptional mid-century designs imported from owner Roberta O'Connor's native Brazil. Prices range from affordable accessories by contemporary indie artists to investment-worthy heirloom pieces by modernist Brazilian designers like Sergio Rodriguez and Giuseppe Scapinelli. 281 Essex Street, Salem, 978-745-4301, buycabinfeveronline.com
Tistik Tistik is Mayan for "a warm welcome to you," and this cheery Harvard Square gift shop definitely lives up to its name. It specializes in unique handmade jewelry, accessories, and home-decorating products created by talented Mexican artisans. Prices are very reasonable, starting at $12 for silver earrings. 54 Church Street, Cambridge, 617-661-0900, shoptistik.com
Half-Way Crooks If you don't get the name -- it's from lyrics by Mobb Deep -- don't bother stepping into this high-end street-wear shop. Teen siblings Julianne and Andrew Adams have definitely fulfilled their goal of "bringing urban fashion to the suburbs," offering many limited-edition and hard-to-find coveted brands for the young hipster crowd. 212 Sumner Street, Newton Centre, 617-827-3863, half-waycrooks.com
9tailors Inspired by time spent in China, Bostonian Samantha Shih developed this online custom-shirt website for men (with women's to come soon). You pick the collar, color, fabric, buttons, etc., at a cost of $60 to $90 a shirt -- well below the custom market rate. 877-513-1898, 9tailors.com
Sarra Known for making models look picture-perfect in magazine fashion spreads, makeup artist Lauren Genatossio has created her own line of customizable cosmetics and skin care. Her product line and two boutiques (one in hometown Hingham and the other in South Boston) are named after her makeup artist grandmother. 104A North Street, Hingham, 781-749-5599, and 840 Summer Street, South Boston, 617-269-8999
SuneriSuneri means "golden" in Hindi, so it's not surprising that this Davis Square boutique has struck gold. The three sisters from India who own the store have a style that is both elegant and eclectic. You can walk out with a pair of classic black pants or with an embroidered caftan and red stiletto boots. Look out for deals in the shop's back corner. 67 Holland Street, Somerville. 617-440-3559, suneriboutique.com
'47With exposed-brick walls and dark-wood and leather decor, this Newbury Street shop feels like an old-time social club with a casual dress code. Sophisticated sports fans will love the stash of handmade 100 percent Pima cotton old-school Sox, Bruins, and Celts T's, and hard-to-find garment-washed hand-embroidered Sox caps. 286 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-236-4006, nineteen47.com
John DerianCharming. That's the only way to describe NYC designer John Derian's quirky decoupage creations sold for years at his small shop in Manhattan. Lucky for us, the in-demand Derian opened a shop in P-town stocking his signature trays and plates, plus an artful selection of decor from other designers. One caveat: The shop is open by appointment only. Law Street (back of 396 Commercial Street), Provincetown, 508-487-1362, johnderian.com
Pure Blu Jeans
Those who say Coolidge Corner is losing its edge should step inside this superbly stocked shop. Owner Lina Prusova has assembled a chic collection of designer denim from True Religion, J Brand, and AG Jeans, pretty party tops from MM Couture, and a rainbow of soft, wearable T's from Bobi. 1309 Beacon Street, Brookline, 617-566-0800
Isis Maternity
Instead of schlepping to the burbs for all that baby stuff, city moms and dads can shop this new superstore in the Pru for everything from Bugaboo strollers and modernist highchairs to potty seats and step stools, not to mention toys, chic diaper bags, and designer denim cut especially for bursting bellies. The Shops at Prudential Center, Boston, 781-429-1500, isismaternity.com
ArtifaktoriVampy vintage high heels sit next to kitschy ceramic figurines, scarves knitted by local artists, and other antique and one-of-a-kind items in this charming, crowded Davis Square shop. Owner and recent Mass-Art grad Amy Berkowitz, who opened Artifaktori last spring, says customers have told her they love the "crazy stuff packed into this tiny space." 22A College Avenue, Somerville, 617-776-3708, artifaktori.com
CoastWhen Paul Gaucher moved his store, Coast, from Beverly Farms to Wenham, he didn't just go from a historic train station to a historic firehouse -- he revamped the inventory. Coast still offers covetable home accessories and custom upholstery, but it's now mixed with French and Italian antiques and exclusive hostess gifts, such as Rani Arabella cashmere pillows. 148 Main Street, Wenham, 978-468-0655Therapy Somewhere between super-girly shops and boutiques for trust-fund babies, hipsters with more style than cash may feel a little lost. They can find themselves in Therapy, the sister store to denim haven Jean Therapy, which stocks a well-priced selection of clothes for gals and guys from Cibeline, Ben Sherman, and Ted Baker. 152 Brookline Avenue, Boston, 617- 266-6501
Leokadia
Owner Jessica Lynn (formerly at Moxie on Charles Street) has opened her own shoe-addict emporium with super-elegant hard-to-find styles, ranging from sexy stilettos to the hottest shoe boots. Named for Lynn’s equally shoe-crazy mom and located in the South End, Leokadia also carries trendy bags and a smattering of chic clothing lines. 667 Tremont Street, Boston, 617-247-7463, leokadiashoes.com
Some Like It Hot
With an influx of lingerie shops, those with a desire for fancy underthings will feel more than satisfied.
Bloom Lingerie Tired of having to make the trip to Boston for high-fashion lingerie, local gals (and cousins) Melinda Wojcieszak and Wendy Ferullo opened this lavishly stocked boutique for South Shore women of all shapes and sizes. The range of lines represented at Bloom Lingerie is impressive, and the two pride themselves on personalized, attentive service. 61 Water Street, Hingham, 781-749-0063
Intimacy
You may think you know your bra size – it’s the same one you’ve had since college, right? Probably not. If your cups have runneth over, see the fit specialists at Intimacy. You’ll find pretty and sporty lingerie for every cup size from A to K (yes, sizes reach beyond DD). Copley Place, Boston, 857-277-7887, myintimacy.com
Agent Provocateur Ooh la la! The recent opening of this daring lingerie boutique on tony Newbury Street certainly puts the old Boston Puritan reputation to rest and makes Victoria’s Secret look positively demure. The below-street-level shop has surprisingly elegant decor and delightfully friendly sales help, with sexy undies rated more R than X. 123 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-267-0229, agentprovocateur.com
Acquire
Design junkie and former TV producer Nikki Dalrymple’s eclectic taste is the star at Acquire, a whitewashed sliver of a space in the North End. Expect well-priced pieces by contemporary artists (glass vases in beehive silhouettes) as well as refurbished one-of-a-kind finds (prim love seats in printed fabrics), plus fun odds and ends, like letterpress stationery and prettily wrapped soaps. 61 Salem Street, Boston, 857-362-7380, acquireboutique.com
Nordstrom Rack
Are you still mourning the loss of the downtown Filene’s Basement? Get over it – Nordstrom Rack has arrived. You’ll find plenty of name-brand duds at delicious discounts, everything from shoes and accessories to designer dresses, coats, menswear, and children’s clothing. You just have to be willing to dig. Liberty Tree Mall, 50 Independence Way, Danvers, 978-539-6060, nordstrom.com
The Attic
This supercool loft space brings a SoHo sensibility to Central Square. Longtime local street-wear retailers Joey and Morris Naggar have upped the local hip quotient in The Attic’s dramatic 2,500-square-foot space covered with edgy art that’s for sale. Shop for hard-to-find and limited-edition T-shirts, sneakers, and hot clothing brands. 563 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617-876-9080, theatticlife.com
Secondhand Stars
With everyone looking to save a buck these days, designer consignment couldn’t be a better fit.
Rescue
Opened by sister and brother Jeralyn and Paul Mason, Rescue’s buy/sell/trade business is great for broke college students. Here’s the deal: Get 30 percent of the proposed selling price in cash immediately for your old duds or 50 percent in store trade. 252 Brighton Avenue, Allston, 617-202-3838, rescuebuyselltrade.com
The Alter EcoIn a neighborhood overrun with students and young worker bees, this secondhand boutique is anything but second-rate, geared toward recycling and funky fashions for the budget-minded. Owner Angelique Kopilevich mixes trendy designer-label consignments with vintage and retro finds, plus eco-friendly purses made from re-purposed materials. 244 Brighton Avenue, Allston, 617-779-7355, thealtereco.com
At the Buzzer
It took a UMass-Boston grad’s fixation on both sneakers and basketball to create Beantown’s first consignment shop dedicated to boutique kicks. Outfitted with Celtics banners and a Garden-esque parquet floor, the shop resells only top-quality limited-edition shoes (SB Dunks, Air Force 1’s, Blazers, etc.) alongside New Era caps (rest easy, the hats are actually new). 81 Harvard Avenue, Allston, 617-783-2899, atbboston.com
40 South Street
This used to be an enormously popular men’s vintage store called Gumshoe, only open on weekends. Now the Jamaica Plain store has added really cool women’s fashions, spruced up the decor, and is also open Wednesday through Friday. It’s one of the hippest vintage stores around. 40 South Street, Jamaica Plain, 617-522-5066, fortysouthst.com
Apple Store
Amid much fanfare, Steve Jobs’s computer company for the cool finally filled Boston’s conspicuous Mac-shaped hole by opening this Boylston Street flagship. And flagship it is, sitting across from the Pru and Mandarin like a giant square diorama – 20,000 square feet of ultramodern cubic glass and gray stone floors, showcasing three levels of sleek MacBooks, iPhones, and other technological accouterments. 815 Boylston Street,
Boston, 617-385-9400, apple.com/retail/boylstonstreet
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