CAPITOL HILL
Hill’s Kitchen
This Capitol Hill storefront across from the Eastern Market Metro sells kitchen gadgets and cookbooks galore, from All-Clad and Emile Henry cookware to gourmet hot sauces and Baldwin extracts. The store hosts cooking classes upstairs in its modern kitchen.
713 D St., SE; 202-543-1997; hillskitchen.com. Metro Station: Eastern Market.
Homebody
Sandwiched between restaurants and cafes on Barracks Row, this homeware and furniture store offers sleek wooden tables and structural lamps, along with quirky kitchen products and gadgets (“inside out” martini glasses, magnetic key holders, wall-mounted wine racks).
715 Eighth St., SE; 202-544-8445; homebodydc.com. Metro Station: Eastern Market.
DUPONT CIRCLE
And Beige
The most dreaded color in interior design becomes a cool canvas at And Beige. Owner Daren Miller’s attention to texture and pattern means that sleek coffee tables mix beautifully with neutral pillows and mirrors. The result? A luxe look befitting the poshest of penthouses.
1781 Florida Ave., NW; 202-234-1557; andbeige.com. Metro Station: Dupont Circle.
Tabletop
This cheerful Dupont Circle shop makes eating and drinking a design-conscious activity with dozens of cool kitchen accessories. Display cases are packed with sleek barware, brightly colored coffee and tea carafes, and Jonathan Adler’s cheeky ceramic table accessories. There’s also a small selection of textiles and furniture, offbeat cookbooks, and Orla Kiely handbags.
1608 20th St., NW; 202-387-7117; tabletopdc.com. Metro Station: Dupont Circle.
FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS / CHEVY CHASE
Finials Antiques
For those with more vintage tastes, this designer favorite offers 19th- and early-20th-century dressers, dinnerware, and home accents, as well as one of the best-stocked selections of antique chandeliers in the area.
3813 Livingston St., NW; 202-362-8400; finialsantiques.com. Metro Station: Friendship Heights.
Periwinkle
Owner Judy Philactos packs her cheery store with retro decoration ideas and fun knickknacks. In fall, the shop is stacked high with pumpkin centerpieces and dozens of tree ornaments. Popular year-round options include Russell & Hazel paper products, Jonathan Adler desk accessories, and colorful Scout bags.
3815 Livingston St. NW; 202-364-3076; periwinklegiftsdc.com. Metro Station: Friendship Heights.
GEORGETOWN
Darrell Dean Antiques & Decorative Arts
The offerings at Darrell Dean Antiques & Decorative Arts are as wide-ranging as they are one of a kind—from Frances Elkins loop chairs to Chinese folding screens. The listings get updated weekly with new products, meaning you won’t have to miss out on those $12,000 rose quartz lamps.
1524 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-333-6330; darrelldeanantiques.com. Not Metro accessible.
The French Apartment
White-and-gold furnishings are the focus at the French Apartment, which offers reclaimed-wood furniture and antique curiosities alongside pretty frames and scented soaps. Inventory changes weekly, but count on at least one throw pillow emblazoned with the Chanel logo.
1671 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-506-1846; thefrenchapartment.com. Not Metro accessible.
Oliver Dunn, Moss & Co., And Catharine Roberts
Though Oliver Dunn, Moss & Co., and Catharine Roberts are in a Georgetown rowhouse, the stores have the rustic romance of a provincial French cottage. Three creative co-owners have filled six rooms—and a back yard—with furniture, table linens, housewarming presents, French signs, and artwork.
1657 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-338-7410. Not Metro accessible.
Tugooh
Toys If you loathe plastic children’s toys, you’ll love this Georgetown store, which offers everything from miniature kitchens, kid-size tea sets, and handsome wooden baby tractors to children’s clothes made from organic cotton—all with a nontoxic, educational purpose in mind.
1319 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-338-9476; yirostores.com. Not Metro accessible.
U STREET / LOGAN CIRCLE
GoodWood
GoodWood stocks high-quality antique and vintage wood furniture. But there’s more: rugs, jewelry, decor, even interesting period pieces such as an antique typewriter and a midcentury dentist’s chair. The store, open seven days a week, has a big following, so pieces go fast. But because the selection turns over weekly, there’s always something new.
1428 U St., NW; 202-986-3640; goodwooddc.com. Metro Station: U Street.
Miss Pixie’s
The vintage-furniture store Miss Pixie’s is picky about its stock—everything is hand-selected at auctions—but that’s what makes it as much fun to window-shop here as to buy. The store is a treasure trove of carved Victorian sofas, funky retro sideboards, distressed dining tables, and more. Some pieces show wear, but most are sturdy and well maintained.
1626 14th St., NW; 202-232-8171; misspixies.com. Metro Station: U Street.
Pulp
Pulp isn’t your grandmother’s gift shop—you’re more likely to find Saint Obama candles than cutesy candy dishes. The store is brimming with quirky gifts, but you can also find pretty writing journals, cards, wrapping paper, and trinkets. During holidays—which can mean anything from Christmas to Mardi Gras—look for seasonal decorations.
1803 14th St., NW; 202-462-7857; pulpdc.com. Metro Station: U Street.
Timothy Paul
Timothy Paul has two store-fronts on 14th Street. At Carpets & Textiles, look for handmade classic- and modern-print carpets imported from around the world, plus vintage tribal weavings from Uzbekistan, country-chic pillows, and lighting and furniture from Objet Insolite.
One block north is the Bedding & Home store, where you’ll find elegant yet cozy bedding sets, embroidered pillows, and bedroom furniture.
1404 14th St., NW; 202-319-1100; timothypaulcarpets.com. 1529-A 14th St., NW; 202-234-2020; timothypaulbedding.com. Metro Station: U Street.
ARLINGTON
Le Village Marché
Turn-of-the-century France inspires many of owner Angela Phelps’s selections—look for lavender-scented laundry detergent, terra-cotta jars of herbes de Provence, and fleur-de-lis-dotted home accessories. Top your gift off with a card by Smudge Ink or Snow & Graham, and you’ll be the talk of the party.
2800 S. Randolph St., ste. 110-A; 703-379-4444; levillagemarche.com. Not Metro accessible.
No Place Like Home
Vintage furniture and retro knickknacks make up the bulk of the inventory at
Covet’s downstairs neighbor, where bubbly owner Renee Henninger has a warm greeting for every customer. Fans of ’50s kitsch will like the glass sets, garden lovers are sure to find fun trinkets on the patio, and bargain hunters will appreciate the wallet-friendly prices.
5140 Wilson Blvd.; 703-243-4424. Metro Station: Ballston.
Sisters3
The tongue-in-cheek waxing salon Sisters3 knows an outfit is only as good as its foundations. That’s why the waiting area is stocked with shapewear from Spanx, Betsey Johnson sleepwear, and even the occasional set of pasties. Beyond undergarments, the silky nighties and Cat’s Pajamas PJ sets are perfect for lounging around the house. We love the Urban Aid survival kits, which include the tools to handle everything from accidental spills to one-night stands.
2729 Wilson Blvd.; 703-525-3333; shopsisters3.com. Metro Station: Clarendon.
BETHESDA
The Blue House
Don’t be fooled—there are smart gifts among the kitsch at the Blue House, particularly if you’re shopping for Mom or a new homeowner. The trinket emporium is packed with knickknacks, but we come back for Claus Porto soaps, Savannah Bee Company honey, and beautiful cookbooks.
7770 Woodmont Ave.; 301-656-6088; thebluehousebethesda.com. Metro Station: Bethesda.
Daisy Baby & Kids
This independently owned nursery store is a delight. Dana Evans—who also offers in-home decorating consultations—stocks Bloom high chairs, Cariboo bassinets, John Robshaw pillows and quilts, and much more. Storage bins and room accessories from the Macbeth Collection can be monogrammed by special order.
4912-A Del Ray Ave.; 301-654-7477; shopdaisybaby.com. Metro Station: Bethesda.
Urban Country
A little bit family beach house, a little bit downtown bachelor pad, this airy home-goods store offers decorative accessories in addition to dining room, living room, patio, and bedroom furniture sets. Popular brands include Drexel Heritage, Lee Industries,
and Vanguard Furniture.
7117 Arlington Rd.; 301-654-0500; urbancountrydesigns.com. Metro Station: Bethesda.
