These shops offer that extra something—a colorful pillow, a bold lamp, a zippy rug—that makes your home feel fresh and with-it. Display it for one season; tuck it away the next. These are the types of pieces you’ll turn to whenever you need a quick shot of energy.
PLAYFUL GLAM
JONATHAN ADLER
Nothing says “happy! mod! glam!” like the Jonathan Adler boutique. For white ceramic tchotchkes, colorful needlepoint pillows, Hollywood Regency–style furniture, David Hicks–inspired patterned rugs and throws, and smaller items like mirrors, frames, candles, and dinnerware that Lilly Pulitzer would love, there is no place like this. The range of prices is broad (from $12 for a cute tea towel to $2,400 for a graphic llama-wool rug) and the novelty items (design-your-own pillows, Barbie-themed wares, British-flag-emblazoned dog beds) are always clever.
676 N. WABASH AVE.
312-274-9920
JONATHANADLER.COM
Carnaby Arcade lamp, $195
SOPHISTICATED SASS
STITCH
Stitch has a sophisticated modern aesthetic, with some trusted brand names, such as DayNa Decker (wood-wick candles) and Missoni (including bedding and colorful patterned throws) in its arsenal. Sometimes a statement chair is just what you need to lend some funk—the mid-century–inspired Rebecca chair covered in bright orange wool with a stainless steel base is only $650. The shop also carries a nice selection of basic contemporary upholstered furniture by Gus, including a sleek, well-priced sectional.
1723 N. DAMEN AVE.
773-782-1570
STITCHCHICAGO.COM
Missoni Kiruna throw, $739
ARTSY LUXURY
CHELSEA PASSAGE
Chelsea Passage at Barneys New York has a compelling selection of luxe goods—everything from coffee-table books to china to fur throws, with hard-to-find brands like R & Y Augousti (small furniture and accessories made with exotic materials like crocodile and shagreen) and KleinReid ceramics. We also spotted some gorgeous, rough-hewn quartz votives (starting at $265) that look like they just came out of a cave; they’re said to have healing powers—now that’s an accessory worth investing in.
15 E. OAK ST.
312-587-1700
BARNEYS.COM
KleinReid porcelain vases, $1,300 each, by special order
FUNKY ELEGANCE
GEORGE LOWELL
There’s nothing like the stamp of a pro, in this case interior designer George Lowell Arduser, to give you confidence in what you’re buying. His shop, George Lowell, is filled with both classic and contemporary furniture and accessories (think tea carts and tables) and artwork (calming images of birds, bold giclée prints of the Union Jack flag) arranged in appealing vignettes. He has a knack for combining styles and colors—you’ll see lots of citrines, browns, and corals, as well as black and white, in the store.
5123 N. CLARK ST.
773-754-8106
GEORGELOWELL.COM
Typewriter ($448) and Union Jack ($441) giclée prints