Birch SF

Come to this deliberately cluttered mom-and-pop (located in the historic Tree Studio building) for all the benefits of antique shopping, without having to deep dive for the good stuff—here, piles of vintage hotel silver salvaged from European estate sales sit next to 1950s maps found at local flea markets. And while everything on display is good, it’s the tiny kids corner—packed with books, serving sets, and vintage toys—that’s arguably the main attraction. Fair warning: Serious collectors have to be quick on the draw as much of the offering is one-of-a-kind.

Stepping in here is the closest thing to time travel. Peter Merz opened this North Side institution in 1875 to resemble the European apothecaries his customers were missing, and other than moving to a bigger space in the 80s, it really hasn’t changed much: Holistic remedies and herbal tinctures (rounded out by a massive selection of vitamins and supplements) are displayed in their original antique jars, while natural skincare and beauty products from modern day favorites like Dr. Hauschka, Klorane, and Jao line the shelves.

Owner Claire Tibbs puts a lot of love into staging the beautiful range of vintage modern furniture, ceramics, textiles, and jewelry as a series of vignettes, making this sprawling space that much easier to navigate. It also means you get a pretty convincing preview of what, say, a retro brass bar cart or Hans Olsen leather chair might look like in your own home. On a smaller scale, the selection of local-designed jewelry, home goods, and apothecary items is as easy on the eyes as it is on the wallet.

Navigating this colossal salvaged furniture and décor warehouse is actually surprisingly easy, especially if mid-century modern is your design sweet spot. Inventory is updated pretty much daily so no two trips are alike. Conveniently, they also offer carpentry services at the on-site workshop, making this an excellent resource for decorators and designers. Plus, the lush courtyard is an easy sell as a popular special event and wedding venue.

In just a few years, owners Lance and Jim have made a name for themselves for their impeccable taste, and for bringing otherwise-unknown designers and brands to their shop on North Michigan. Their tastes run the gamut from post-pop ceramics by Seletti, to tongue-in-cheek stationery, to Building Block tassel bags, Rachel Comey trousers, and Markus Lupfer sweatshirts: In their words, “it’s a general store that’s anything but general.” In the beauty department, find everything from Binchotan charcoal masks, to a full range of clean skincare.

This fabled auction house’s claim to fame is organizing modern and contemporary design shows that have the power to bring seasoned collectors to their knees and inspire novices to start investing. In addition to a gallery and consignment department, the Chicago location is home to the Wright Now showroom, which houses globally-sourced décor, furniture, and fine art that can be viewed by appointment.

Housed in what used to be a 1930s apothecary (thankfully, the original wood paneling was left untouched), RR#1 Chicago is one of those stores that you’ll have a hard time leaving empty-handed. On offer: a dizzying array of candles, teas, and soaps, as well as kitschy prank gifts, tea towels, and novelty books. It’s pretty ideal for picking up a last minute something for the hostess, they'll even gift-wrap your selection right at the counter.

Chicago antique malls are the stuff of mid-century modern legend, and BAM is the crème de la crème. At 75-vendors strong (most with a focus on Art Deco, Mission, and Mid Century modern design), it’s got something for everyone. Furniture, clothing, accessories, costume jewelry—all of it blessedly organized so there’s little need to dig. And as locals will tell you (or more likely, not tell you) the semi-annual sales are epic.

Kelly Whitesell and Elizabeth Del Castillo, the founders of this Wicker Park standby, are known for their trend-driven, yet somehow totally timeless sensibility, which is perfectly reflected in the boutique’s easy-to-navigate layout and eclectic buy (Judi Rosen denim, knits from Barcelona-based Yerse, and In God We Trust charm necklaces). And while the eponymous house line might skew a little young for some, for the right girl, the racks of retro-tinged dresses and printed separates are a sartorial goldmine. The apothecary, however, is a sure bet for just about everyone—think, D.S. & Durga fragrances and Qualitas candles.

This beloved vintage furniture/décor/botany mecca was a major contributor to making the Chicago goop Pop the experience it was. Even if you’re not in the market for say, a crushed velvet fainting sofa or crystal chandelier, perusing the bright space is an inspiring experience. Can’t do in-person? The online shop is the next best thing.

Everything at this pristine home store in the Brentwood Country Mart is a design classic—past or future. While it's the sort of spot where you duck in for a hostess gift, it's invariably the sort of store where you end up re-thinking your china and splurging on some steak knives too. They also have impeccable stationery, beautiful blankets, and every conceivable size and color of Comme des Garçons pouch. There's also a location in East Hampton.

This deeply under-the-radar shop, located on the second floor of a Chinatown office building, is more like a gallery than a boutique. You'll find an Opening Ceremony blouse, hung next to a vintage poster, a one-off book, and a Mended Veil necklace. They opened a second location downtown, known as Ooga Booga 2 or Ooga Twooga.

Though this design shop got its start in a space on Abbot Kinney, its relocation to DTLA is finally letting A + R stretch its legs a bit, and show larger pieces, like Bend Good's metal chairs and Scholten & Baijings' technicolored rugs. It's all arranged with smaller, more suitcase-appropriate picks, like Hay's Kaleido trays and Y'a Pas Le Feu Au Lac's vases.

Equal parts clothing boutique and toy store, this is the sort of place where you can pick up a gift for anyone under 10. It's very well-edited, meaning that there aren't a ton of options, but they're all good, from Aden & Anais swaddle blankets, to non-toxic crayons, to robot-printed pajamas.

Marble-topped Tom Dixon candles, cyan-hued wallets from PB 0110, and pretty sublime cashmere blankets are just a few of the offerings at this serene, grey-washed space. Bedding and linens, coffee table books, and Hella Jongerius plates round out the mix.

In addition to the delicious lattes, homemade sandwiches, and old-fashioned candies and trinkets, this general store stocks an equally excellent selection of homewares, including perfectly minimal white ceramic bowls, gardening tools, kitchen supplies, and more.

If you're one of those people who believes that the card should be as well-conceived and personal as the gift, this is your mothership. They have all the best lines, along with sweet notepads, journals, and a good selection of pens.

Known for modern and beautiful letterpress stationery, Sugar Paper also does great holiday cards, wedding invitations, and monogramming. The tiny shop (in the Brentwood Country Mart) also offers cards and paper goods from Rifle Paper Co., Kate Spade, and more—and they can wrap any gift (just bring a box) while you wander the mart.

Now four locations strong, this general-style store offers a deeply curated range of clothing and accessories, along with really beautiful home goods. Expect to find Ulla Johnson jumpsuits (for her), Engineered Garment pants (for him), along with Want Les Essentials laptop sleeves, Cire Trudon candles, and Fort Standard trivets. There's also a location in Pasadena and Santa Monica.

Everything at this long-standing, architecturally-minded boutique—from Noguchi lamps, to Heath bud vases, to Alice Park wallets—would look just right inside, say, a Schindler or a Neutra home. The emphasis is on great gifts (almost everything comes pre-gift wrapped in basic brown butcher paper), whether it’s a framed beetle or Carl Aubock designed book-ends. There's also a location in Silver Lake.

A true mid-century American icon, Heath has been producing beautiful modern and minimal tableware (with a brief break) and tiles since 1948. In fact, it's part of the permanent collections in New York's MoMA—and graces many a table across the Los Angeles restaurant scape. The store, like the products, is modern and minimal, with wooden shelves, concrete floors and a lot of space to browse. Besides the Heath line, they've selected a handful of designers to showcase. There are multiple locations in the SF area, including an outpost in the Ferry Building. The factory store in Sausalito offers seconds (i.e., subtly imperfect plates and bowls) at big discounts.

While its unlikely location on a grungy strip of Lincoln Boulevard keep this spot slightly under-the-radar, The General Store always justifies the trip. While it’s set in a big lofty space that could theoretically hold hundreds of items, the impeccably-curated store is an exercise in restraint: You’ll find hand-done ceramics, brass trivets, thread wrapped bows and arrows, and rare, vintage books. The original is actually in San Francisco.

Owner Rachel Berks focuses exclusively on artist and designer-made clothing, jewelry, pottery, posters, and prints. This is one of those stores where you never know what you're going to find, whether it's a simple turquoise drop necklace or a Gravel & Gold toiletry case, emblazoned with line drawings of boobs.

Interior designers Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe put out their own own line of perfectly-textured home goods (solid cast brass hand sconces, tufted headboards, hassock ottomans), which they've mixed with an eclectic range of accessories at this subtly-industrial shop. You'll find Japanese bear bookends, pillows cut from vintage Hmong embroidery, black-bristled brooms, and Astier de Villate journals—and you'll want to buy it all.

Lost & Found in Hollywood occupies a stretch of adjacent buildings on Yucca Street, which is tucked away above Hollywood Boulevard. It’s there that you'll find one of L.A.'s best shopping destinations. While there are spaces for women and homes, we particularly love the kids edit, which revolves around feathered headbands, papier-mâché masks, and t-shirts emblazoned with everything from motorcycles to birds. The new outposts in Santa Monica are huge, offering more floor space to men's and women's clothing, along with even more delights for little ones. (Plus, a great edit of home.)

We were pretty thrilled when Love Adorned finally landed on the West Coast last year—after all, its flagship in Nolita (the jewelry companion to the legendary New York City tattoo parlor NY Adorned) is stunningly cool. It's also one of the few stores around that can embody an entire aesthetic, one that is subtly bohemian, gothic, and yet gloriously feminine, too. You'll find stunning, slightly asymmetrical diamond rings from Polly Wales, cool, Natural Park–themed bandannas for kids, and the resin champagne buckets by Tina Frey. The location in Santa Monica is fittingly airy and light and lined with all the jewelry treasures you’d expect along with a smattering of kitchen goods, throw pillows, and beautifully scented candles. There is also a location in Amagansett.

In addition to being one of the longest-standing shops on Abbot Kinney, Bazar is also one of the most special. Owner Tina Wakino keeps the smallish space packed with antique furniture, textiles, and racks of hard-to-find international brands and vintage pieces for both men and women, then she rounds out the assortment with imported apothecary favorites from Santa Maria Novella and Astier de Villatte. Though small, the children’s section holds incredibly adorable options for giftables and accessories that are unlike anything you might find at a traditional toy store.

Shopping for dudes can be risky business, though in our experience, the house line of basic tees and pants at this handsomely turned out men’s shop has a pretty stellar success rate. The vibe here is all about California cool, and the walls of vintage photography and retro memorabilia express that aesthetic perfectly. And if the racks of essential from Filson, Red Wing, and Rogue Territory, plus the tables of subtle, well-designed accessories and home goods aren’t enough of a draw, there’s a classic barbershop in the back where barber, Chrissy Phelan, performs her famously precise cuts.

Near the popular junction of Santa Monica Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake, this favorite shop has a curiously curated array of goodies from handmade pottery to children's toys, graphic t-shirts, jewelry, handbags, and stationery. Nearly everything in the shop feels like a brilliant find, making this a particularly good place to shop for special gifts.

Based in Mar Vista's Mitsuwa Marketplace, the Japanese-based Kinokuniya offers great notebooks, stationery, pens, and gifts. Kids, in particular, go nuts here.

It's easy to overlook this home goods shop, which has been holding down the fort on Beverly for years. It's a little bit out-of-the-way, which makes it easy to miss, but it's absolutely worth seeking out. John Derian decoupage plates, hand-beaded scarfs from Megan Park, and slightly macabre (but gorgeous) objects, like bronze cast beetles mingle with Ige's own line of pillows and fabric calendars.

True to its name (M.I.A. stands for Made in America), every piece of merch stocked in this homey, lovingly curated shop is made in the U.S., as the goal for founders Micha Thomas and Jaime Lawson is to shine a light on local independent makers at a time when so much of production is done overseas. The mostly handmade and small-batch edit includes a little bit of something for everyone: soy wax candles by Venice-based Yoke, delicate linen dresses by Matteo, Minnesota-made handbags by heritage brand J.W. Hulme, and so much more.

Though the assortment at this Atwater Village favorite includes quite a bit of vintage (mostly of the denim and cotton tee variety), mixed in with home goods, apparel (plenty of stuff for guys to rifle through, too), and apothecary items from beloved international lines like Fredericks & Mae and Jao, plus one-of-a-kind pieces from the local community of makers, it all feels totally fresh.

As the West Coast's largest art and architecture-centric bookstore, this is the sort of place where you can put together a stack of beautiful coffee table books.

Founder Melissa Lovoy opened Lake in February 2007 in the heart of Silver Lake and filled this quietly low-key space with pieces that are modern, beautiful, and well made.

This great little record store features a tight edit—but that shouldn't dissuade you from asking them to help you track down something that's not out on the floor. During the week, they're open until 9pm.

Styled like an other-worldly trading post, RTH takes much of its inspiration from the Southwest. It makes sense, as he owner (and designer), René Holguin, hails from El Paso and did stints at Ralph Lauren, J.Crew, and Levi’s before setting out on his own. There’s a house line of perfectly aged leather bags, smocks, and Liberty print scarves, along with seed bead pins and bracelets.

While there are a few pieces scattered about for men, the focus here is really on women's accessories, home goods, and picks for kids...though there's a smattering of ready to wear, too. Pieces from Rachel Comey and Jesse Kamm share rack space here with eensy sweatshirts from Boy + Girl and Misha & Puff while the glass cabinets are lined with Gabriela Artigas earrings and Fort Standard bottle openers. There's another location in Dallas.

Since 1985, this place has been offering every conceivable genre of vinyl to loyal West LA music lovers. Merchandise is restocked daily, there are stations where you can sample music, and you can trade in or sell your records here, too.

Whether you're in the market for kids furniture from Scandinavia, or a Pantone-themed mug, this long-standing boutique sources home goods and gifts for kids from all over the world.

A testament to owners (and real-life couple) Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung’s creativity and taste, this color-happy shop in Little Tokyo somehow manages to look entirely different from visit to visit. While the core categories—home décor, stationery, accessories, and kids—stay the same, the assortment is constantly updated to keep up with the latest and greatest in design and still meet Poketo’s playful aesthetic. Expect to find Japanese stationery, tabletop pieces from Danish firm HAY, beautiful art books, and so much more. There's also a sister location in Culver City and in The Line Hotel.

Founded on the design principle that less is often more, Formerly Yes (which formerly used to just be online-only), now occupies an airy boutique Downtown—just a stone's throw from the Ace. Much likes its site, the offerings are extremely winnowed down and edited, i.e., you'll find only design classics, like Braun alarm clocks, Japanese platters, and Iittala tumblers.

Known for fun, colorful stationery and cards for every occasion, it's entirely possible to (happily) lose an afternoon at Shout and About browsing through every good on display. In addition to their stationery, the store has a selection of jewelry, plants, and other gifty items, making it an ideal one-stop shop for last minute birthday, housewarming, and just-because presents.

Set up in the center of the most walkable stretch of the Arts District, Alchemy Works is the brainchild of Lindsay and Raan Parton (their former Apolis store is now a pop-up within Alchemy) and aims to bring a bit of the coastal lifestyle to downtown. The industrial-style shop doubles as an events space, so there’s lots of room to roam around and admire the hand-picked apothecary pieces, letterpress prints, indy-designer accessories, and more. Also sharing the space is a Warby Parker shop-in-shop and a Blacktop coffee counter. It's Newport Beach location is equally stunning.

This kooky shop is filled with the types of gems, crystals, candles, incense, and other knickknacks that make perfect metaphysical souvenirs to bring back from LA. If you have time, opt for one of the amazing readings or a treatment with one of the healers on staff, who offer modalities like Reiki, crystal healing, and shamanic energy medicine.

Started by Paige Appel & Kelly Harris (founders of the much-loved event design business Bash, Please) opened their long-awaited shop on Washington boulevard in Culver City, within easy striking distance of nearby Platform, where there's also some excellent shopping to be had. The buy is a mix of one-off items like West African woven fans and Zuni stones along with pieces from up-and-coming designers, like Beatrice Valenzuela slides, Cinq jewelry, and Sara Barner bags. The apothecary has great body oils and some Shiva Rose creams, as well.

Flowers in antique glass jars, succulents large and small, steampunk kids clothes, pressed flowers, it all may sound a little Etsy-esque, and well, it is, but it's so well achieved and so aesthetically pleasing that it's hard not to fall for. Botanique, both a florist and a shop for artisan wares, opened up its sprawling, wood-lined space on Exmouth Market in October and already promises to be a fixture on the local craft scene with a series of seasonal workshops for those interested in picking up a few skills.

Affordable jewelry by lesser-known designers is nearly impossible to find in London, which makes Hall, a hole-in-the-wall shop tucked away behind Westbourne Grove, so special. Here, owner and designer Min Lee gathers her favorite designers and displays them along with her own designs. You'll find Annette Ferdinandsen's organic, insect-inspired pieces next to Ilana Ariel's more angular designs, along with Min's own collection of fashion jewelry—everything from simple bangles to gemstone earrings and cuffs, to signature wave rings, and more. Look for Min at the shop for inspiration on how to put it all together—she truly is the master of layering jewelry, high and low.

Alex Eagle's eponymous concept store has moved from its Knightsbridge townhouse local to an expansive loft space in Soho. The owner stocks hard-to-find brands like Isa Arfen, Lemaire, and Protagonist mixed in with homewares by hip design studios like Makers & Brothers. With the odd Jean Prouvé stool or Alex Eagle collaboration—many are her takes on classic heritage brands like Swaine-Adeney—dotted here and there, this shop is always packed with discoveries.

Born out of a friendship between June Summerill and the late Bernadette Bishop, their store is one of Holland Park's hidden gems, worth venturing a few minutes out of Notting Hill to visit. With an eye for hand-crafted home goods - June & Bernadette forged relationships with many international ceramicists, textile artists and glassblowers - and merchandise their goods in their own style. The best hand painted tablecloths, in an array of patterns all designed in their in house studio, handblown glassware, plus essential kitchenware round out the offerings. This is a dreamy, beautiful store that is over 25 years strong. They sell internationally through their website.

Tom Dixon is undoubtedly the British designer of the moment, having just completed the Mondrian at Sea Containers. His shop, located underneath the delightful Dock Kitchen, features picture windows looking out onto Regent's Canal and stocks Mr. Dixon's pared-down furniture, lighting, and accessories. You've probably seen his brass and copper light fixtures around town and if you haven't you'll be sure to fall for them here. The shop is also packed with delightful knick-knacks scoured from all around the world.

Blush pink walls and a warm grey ceiling complement the beautiful furniture and accessories sold at this relatively new Marylebone shop and design studio. Handcrafted wooden furniture, jacquard throws, simple terracotta ceramics, and beautifully turned-out desk accessories are just a few of the things you'll want to schlep home. While the shop is off the main street it's worth the detour to see. They also take custom orders.

This place is frequented by serious photo aficionados, from librarians to collectors to students, looking for rare and out-of-print books and magazines.

Run by husband-and-wife team Ian Paley and Emily Dyson, this multilevel space is stocked with independent designers from all over the globe. While the women's section is home to plenty of international names that are hard to find elsewhere (along with a strong NYC contingent like Rachel Comey and Steven Alan), it's the meticulously edited kids’ selection—Morley tees, Oeuf toys—that's earned the shop praise from locals and visitors alike.

This brand originally caught our eye with its wry animal print textiles and wallpapers for the home, all made traditionally in sumptuous fabrics, but with a slightly subversive edge. They've now taken their prints and turned them out in clothes, wrapping paper, and more which actually totally works.

Here, you'll find around 25,000 books piled on every imaginable surface, from tabletops to the staircase. The shop has a literary slant but stocks all sorts of titles, from architecture tomes to cookbooks to thrillers.

Even the wooden brooms are carefully selected to fit in with the artfully stark aesthetic at Labour and Wait. Come for striped sailing shirts, Japanese enamelware, hand-forged gardening tools, leather satchels, and polka-dot primary-color handkerchiefs. In sum, a slightly random selection of household goods that come together beautifully.

Run by a collective of designers and craftsmen, Luna & Curious brings together a pretty outstanding (and affordable) assortment of home wares, clothing, toys, and curios made by young, predominantly British makers. Every few weeks, they turn a section of the shop over to a new designer to arrange and display their wares however they'd like; it's always pretty inspiring.

Located in a tiny Victorian shopfront, Pentreath & Hall sells carefully chosen homewares and an ever-changing variety of unusual delights. Many of the objects, like co-owner, Birdie Hall’s decoupage plates, and Eric Ravilious for Wedgewood ceramics, satisfy the "look well under a glass cloche" category requirements.

At this Philippe Starck–designed (and gilded) shop, you'll find all Taschen's trademark tomes on art, photography, fashion, architecture, film, erotica, and more. Conveniently placed right across the street from the Saatchi Gallery, this is a shop for the well-heeled art lover. The gallery space downstairs shows off certain titles in more detail.

This legendary store opened in 1875 on Regent Street, and to this day maintains its beautiful wood-paneled interiors and grand Tudor revival exterior. While the Liberty brand is alive and well, still selling their trademark flower print fabrics, so is their buying team with small capsules from all our favorite brands including Frame, Acne, Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant, and Kenzo. Treat yourself to a scarf here as they always have the widest and most wonderful selection, and the staff in the Scarf Hall on the first floor are famously good at advising you on how to tie them.

SCP works with a closely curated group of designers to manufacture their furniture and home accessories in workshops around the world. Donna Wilson's playful knits get a lot of airtime here, as do designers like Lucy Kurrein, Michael Anastassiades and more. Owner Sheridan Coakley does a lot of travel and always brings back great finds with him. Aside from the high concept furniture, lighting and accessories, this shop is one of the best in town for gifts.

With more than 11 stores in London, this English staple is a great place to pick up kitchen and picnic materials (though their mens and womens collections are also worth a look). Their streamlined and affordably priced homewares include utilitarian blankets, rustic terracotta bowls, enamel-dipped cutlery, and more. If you're hoping to impress friends from home with seemingly simple basics they can't get at home, this is your spot.

This shop provides a tiny sneak preview into architect John Pawson's vision for the museum. Colorful design objects, gadgets, toys, and gizmos are carefully arranged on a Vitsoe shelving system on dark grey walls, creating a beautiful and contrasting display. It's a great selection of small, affordable gifts and more high-concept pieces for the real design lover like John Pawson designed ceramic bowls, a Barber & Osgerby teapot, Artek's Alvar Aalto stools and the like.

Geo-fleur specializes in houseplants—and while this is a great place to come for plants themselves (they've got a gorgeous selection of bonsais, cacti, and succulents), we also love coming here for accessories like copper-bottomed planters and macrame hangers. Their plant subscription, which mails a new plant and its associated trappings every month, makes a great gift for gardeners—or, alternatively, friends with black thumbs.

Long-time Islington resident Lizzie Evans set up shop in her hometown below an upstairs space where she offers workshops in weaving, terrarium making, calligraphy, and more. The shop itself, which locals know from her iconic guinea pig logo, carries design-minded home accessories, prints, and stationery. Her display of wrapping paper and ribbons makes it a great spot for holiday and birthday shopping.

This sweet shop in Shoreditch was founded by Portuguese owners Olga Cruchinho and Dina Martins in an effort to bring their favorite staples from their home country to London. There's a range of products, from foodstuffs (tinned fish, jams, honey, olive oil) to beauty products (creams, soaps, even specialty toothpastes) to Portuguese wine, notebooks, and stationery. It's a great spot for hostess gifts, in particular.

Started by two graphic designers who use the store to present their own designs as well as favorites from others, Present & Correct stocks everything required for old-school correspondence, including stamps, shelves and shelves of stationery, and boxes of specialty pens and pencils. There's also star-shaped erasers, vintage calligraphy sets, brass paperclips, and wooden tape dispensers. It's perfect for grown-up back-to-school.

The name Seeds has several meanings. For starters, it's a nod to the store's physical space, which occupies what used to be a flower shop in Kensington. It's also a reference to what the owners describe as the store's duality as a place to see (they host exhibitions and special projects with artists and designers) as well as a design store (hence the DS). The entire space is completely shoppable, so you can find everything here from hand-thrown clay pots, to art-inspired jewelry, to works of contemporary art.

Primary colors, geometry, and the Bauhaus prevail here. This is a full-on lifestyle store for the geometrically obsessed. There are handcrafted leather goods, hand-bound notebooks, colorful pillows and throws, all within the very tasteful bounds of the owner's aesthetic. Expect to find many a British brand you haven't heard of yet.

If you have a stationery or sticker addict on your hands, they’re going to freak. This Japanese mega-store facing Bryant Park is one of our favorite midtown oases, and a solid option for a quick sushi cafeteria-style lunch. There’s an entire floor dedicated to Japanese manga comic books, a solid selection of design books and international fashion magazines, but the basement is the main draw. There, aisle after aisle is stuffed with an incredible array of Japanese stationery goods—adorable pens, pencils, notebooks, and erasers to last a lifetime.

From clothing to ceramics and beauty goods, this store's main focus is on hand-crafted items, many of them locally made. We've found lines like Caron Callahan, Chimala, Ace & Jig, and Cosmic Wonder on our forays here.

Phoebe Cates's boutique is pretty great: You’ll find really beautiful jewelry and a great assortment of toys, including hand-painted Russian dolls and Keith Haring dominoes. You'll also find clothes from little known designers, especially for the neighborhood, like Ally Capellino handbags and Yoshi Kondo dresses. It's not surprising it's a hit on the Upper East Side, as it brings uniqueness and discovery back to a neighborhood that’s generally dominated by big brands.

For years, this teeny tiny shop on Williamsburg's main drag has been one of the best resources in Brooklyn for jewelry. Stackable rings, sweet little pendants, and more precious offerings from designers like Elisa Solomon fill the cases. Weirdly, because space is tight, we actually like shopping their website more.

Because it started as the jewelry extension of the East Village tattoo parlor, New York Adorned, you might expect that the jewelry here would be of the skull and crossbones variety. But it's actually gorgeous, and for the most part, dainty. They also have an excellent—and unexpected—range of home goods and gifts.

You'll only find Caitlin Mociun's eponymous jewelry collection on her site—but should you go to her new, Williamsburg store, you'll see the work of her friends, too, including hexagonal brass necklaces by Iacoli & Macallister, and Chen Chen and Kai William's marble bangles. You'll also get to shop Mociun's full line, from her signature eensy, triangular turquoise pendants to her custom rings, which feature a mismatched—and stunning—combination of stones.

The first thing to catch our eye upon entering this striking black interior is an antique black carriage full of books and hand-made cushions: It's just one of many visual statements throughout the space. Look around and there are shelves lined with design objets of diverse provenance, and of course there are no labels, as those would fetter the very calculated, striking displays. While the main room features a mix of furniture and objects, the annex features a deeper look at the work of their stable of craftsmen, from Malian textile designer Aboubakar Fofana to Oyuna, the Mongolian cashmere designer.

This sweetly curated home goods shop in Brooklyn Heights stocks artisan-made goods with a slightly nordic bent, from Mid-century style furnishings to ceramics, lighting, throws, and more. The art on the walls changes frequently, as does the stock—while it's named for the fire fighter's term for a hopelessly cluttered home (after the Collyer Brothers who collected north of 140 tons of stuff), the stores are anything but.

Jamie Creel and Christopher Gow are serious collectors who spend much of their time traveling the world sourcing far-flung objects for their townhouse shop. We go just to see the wacky and elegant displays that mix coral and taxidermy, Suzani textiles and kitschy South African ceramics. It’s a real mix with prices to match, and if you’re looking for a truly offbeat gift—like say, a hand-blown glass hammer and nails—chances are you’ll find it here.

Occupying a sliver of space in a quiet stretch of Soho, Global Table is one of those places that's packed from floor to ceiling. Sourcing items from all over the world, the prevailing aesthetic is bright, colorful, and modern, though they also have a great selection of wooden serving pieces, like salad bowls and cutting boards. It’s rare to walk out empty-handed.

Beyond being the best resource in New York for Astier de Villatte’s stunningly hand-turned plates, bowls, and glasses, John Derian's instantly recognizable decoupaged glass plates and paperweights have a unique old world appeal that also applies to the small objects, furniture, and curiosities he stocks in his iconic East Village shop. It's a small microcosm packed with antique objects and hand-made works by artisans with a similarly whimsical aesthetic, from Leanne Shapton's painted wooden "books" to Hugo Guinness' drawings and prints. Derian also designs his own line of furniture which mixes right in with the flea market finds and printed fabrics at his dry goods shop next door.

Along with her own line of printed wallpapers and textiles, Michele Varian sells a mix of flea market finds, jewelry, and general curiosities. It's always worth a stop for an unusual gift or home accent.

Helmed by fashion stylist Lauren Snyder (she’s worked for Bergdorf Goodman and Glamour), The Primary Essentials revolves around goods that feel hand-worked—but never crafty. Gorgeous indigo-dyed textiles and simple quilts mingle with Earth Tu Face body washes, simple canvas carryalls from Joshu + Vela, and blue ceramic studs from Jujumade.

Housed in Andrew Carnegie's former Georgian mansion, the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum still conserves the original dark wood-lined interiors and imposing staircase, even after closing for a few years for a major upgrade in the hands of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, among others. The shop on the second floor is part of the revamp, too, with the architectural firm's custom modular shelving framing the tailor-made space. The wonderful mix of beautifully designed objects and utilitarian goods remains the same, however, from Fredericks & Mae birthday candles to Michael Graves kettles and much more.

Recently relocated to a brand-new, much larger space, Sprout Home offers a wonderful variety of plants, planting accessories, flowers, floral arrangements, and adorable home goods, for the city's urban gardener. They also offer classes from Wreath Making to caring for container plants in colder months. With its airy but elegant aesthetic, this store is truly inspiring. There’s also a location in Chicago.

We head to Steven Alan for the perfectly tailored yet lived-in men's and women's shirting that comes in an endless variety of plaids and stripes. Beyond that, it's the relaxed mix of pieces from designers like A.P.C, Isabel Marant, Rachel Comey, that keeps us coming back. The outpost in Tribeca is the flagship and the original, though there are now locations scattered around the city. They've recently opened a home goods shop, too.

While you won't walk out of Swallow with big case goods, you are likely to find something small and unusual, like a tiny brass bird or an opalescent vase. They also have really beautiful tabletop, from rough-hewn stone plates, to little salt cellars.

Across from the museum, the MoMA Design Store is incredibly well-done, making it one of those rare spots that's a one-stop resource for everyone on your list come the holidays. Here you can purchase everything from Issey Miyake's architectural Lucent tote, to an Eames chair, to a Yoshitomo Nara doggy radio, to obscure titles you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.

This Japanese export has been quietly opening outposts all over NYC, though Muji goods have been shoppable at MoMA for years. The stores are simple in both concept and aesthetic: After all the brand is predicated on the idea that the best design is the least design. Minimalist fixtures and neutral color palettes are used to display the most well-designed utilitarian goods—housewares, t-shirts, stationery, and more—that are as functional as they are generic, which allows them to fit in every home regardless of sensibility.

Off the beaten path on a Manhattan side street called Extra Place, Stevenson Aung and Angelique Chmielewski, opened a brick and mortar showcase for their shop, full of off-the-beaten-path extras. In their careers as industrial and fashion designers, respectively, they’ve spent years amassing quite the collection of Japanese design, and finally have the perfect glass-fronted location to showcase it all, from Azmaya tea accessories to Sunao cutlery, to Fog Linen baskets.

What started as a coffee and tea shop with flowers and small succulents for sale has quickly become much more of lifestyle shop, carrying a mix of mostly local-made ceramics, books, magazines, and small design goods. Stop in for a Blue Bottle coffee, or a Bellocq tea—their studio is next door—and walk out with a couple of small indoor plants, a Postalco notebook, and a Grain Edit beeswax totem candle.

As far as specialty shops go, CW Pencil Enterprise is downright granular. It’s shoe-box sized and therefore really easy to miss, so keep an eye out for the pencil drawing, which the owner, Caroline Weaver, put up in lieu of traditional signage. Inside, the floors are black-and-white checkered, and the shelves are lined with neatly labeled jars of pencils and on-theme art. Make good use of the pencil-testing station, which is set up on a Mid-Century desk and topped with vintage-looking sharpeners and old-school notebooks, while the staff (it’s usually Weaver herself manning the store) drop knowledge about each pencil’s provenance, history, color, and optimal use. CW carries amazing stationery brands like Craft Design Technology, Tombow, and Field Notes; and then there’s the Pencil of the Month club and custom pencil services, which the owner fulfills herself by hand with an antique hot foil press.

While they're best known for their gorgeous (artist-inspired) packaging, Mast Brothers places great emphasis on the art of chocolate-making—as evidenced by the fact that they offer tours of the process itself at each of their stores. The Brooklyn location is one of the three flagship stores and factories for the brand, which brothers Rick and Michael Mast founded in 2007 (the other two are located in Los Angeles and London). A package of bars makes for a practically perfect—and blessedly TSA-friendly—hostess gift.

Nina Allen's shop, Tophat, first grew out of her online store, Sweet Bella, where she sells specialty items like fruit and vegetable-shaped ceramics, unique pins and patches, and Stalogy office supplies. Her nondescript shop on Broome Street doesn't look like much from the street (even for Broome Street), but it's well worth stopping by, as she stocks the shelves with the same things from her online store, plus one-of-a-kind finds and antiques that she doesn't post. In the winter they have toboggans for rent.

Helena Barquet and Fabiana Faria's concept shop on Orchard Street is part of the cadre of businesses blurring the boundaries between the Lower East Side and Chinatown. Barque and Faria originally met working at galleries, and their store is reflective of their art-inspired aesthetic, with reupholstered midcentury furniture, sculptural home accessories, and neon-tinged coffee table books. There's also a great selection of candles and quirky accessories, so it's a home-run for gifting.

In 1634, grocer and wax merchant Claude Trudon opened a store on Rue St. Honoré—and Trudon has been lighting the city’s palaces and homes ever since. Thanks to their superlative wax and rigorous candle-making process, the scented pillars burn for hours—without ever sputtering or smoking. They’re not cheap—after all, as company lore would have it, Napoleon’s only gift to his newborn son was a Trudon candle encrusted with three pieces of gold—but they are exquisite. The Paris boutique, complete with a rainbow wall of tapers, busts cast in wax, and the full expression of fragrances, shouldn’t be missed.

Though it's often (mistakenly) credited as being the first department store, there's no doubt that Le Bon Marché's founders, Aristide and Marguerite Boucicaut, were pioneers, particularly in a culture that so adamantly prizes specialty stores. Launched in 1838 as an extension of the Boucicaut's single market stall, it became a fixed-price department store in 1850 (before that, you would barter), moving into its sweeping, Art Deco home in 1867. While it's been expanded several times since (and now belongs to LVMH), it's still inarguably one of the most beautiful, large-scale shops in existence. Whether you're looking for Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Maje, or Iro, it's likely here: Along with lingerie, kids clothing, furniture, household essentials, and shoes and bags. The food hall, La Grande Épicerie, is pretty insane, offering a rich array of specialty products, from Fauchon macarons to Baltic smoked fish. Many visitors concentrate their buying power here in order to hit the spending level required for VAT.

Though it’s well located on Rue Saint-Honoré, this is the sort of spot that’s easy to walk right by. Inside it’s dimly lit, cloister-like, and achingly cool, complete with rickety, slightly off-kilter shelves that sag under the weight of Astier de Villatte’s ceramic tableware. Made from black terra-cotta clay and then finished in the brand’s signature milky white, these perfectly imperfect dishes are the hallmark of some of the best-dressed tables we know. You’ll also find the house line of geometric-print, gold-rimmed notebooks (made by the last master printer in Paris) and the gorgeously old-fashioned candle and incense collections, along with a handful of oddities, like glassware cast in the shape of skulls and stout little teapots.

Since 1820, E. Dehillerin has been outfitting the kitchens of Paris with copper pots, paring knives, whisks—and a million other ingenious gadgets nobody ever knew they needed. It is a huge store and an incredible resource, though come with full pockets (and plenty of room in your suitcase). They also sell online and ship globally.

A devastating fire nearly destroyed Deyrolle in 2008, sending nearly 90 percent of its rarefied inventory up in smoke. Everyone rallied: Customers donated animals purchased in years past back; Christie's held an auction; Hermes reissued their "Plume" scarf to raise funds; and ultimately Deyrolle reopened its doors to a collective sigh of relief. Founded in 1831, it's one of the most special stores in the world, after all, since it's essentially a shoppable natural history museum. As you move past the gardening boutique that occupies the ground floor and climb the stairs, you'll come face to face with lions, tiger, bears, and thousands of exotic birds, butterflies, and beetles—all carefully preserved, and even more meticulously displayed. We love the reissues of the 19th century pedagogical prints (horse breeds, the anatomy of the eye, the trees of France), which are more affordable—and packable—than a giraffe.

It's rare to find a store that's so much bigger than its collective parts, but Merci is one of those spots that opened to an endless stream of breathless acclaim—and just as many inches of coverage in the press. This is easy to understand: For one, profits go to charities in Madagascar; for two, it's gorgeous and artful while still feeling accessible to all. Located in an airy, sprawling nineteenth-century fabric factory, this superstore sells the best of pretty much everything. Labels like Isabel Marant, Vanessa Bruno, and Stella McCartney mingle on the clothing racks; natural shampoos and Comme des Garçons perfumes line the shelves in the comprehensive beauty apothecary; and there are loads of amazing homewares, too. Fresh flowers and gardening tools? Check. Don't leave without visiting the Used Book Café in the basement, as you can flip through any one of the 10,000 preloved books that line the walls while you wait for your brunch.

Large and loftlike, this industrial-feeling store has an ambitious mandate: fair-trade clothing and accessories from little-known and established artisan brands, mixed in with a smattering of vintage furniture, art books, records, and indie zines. If you've got little ones, don't miss the outpost devoted to kids.

There are very few boutiques that fully embody an aesthetic, but L’Eclaireur does this perfectly—no small feat, considering there are seven very distinct shops scattered around the city, as well as a bar/restaurant that doubles as a shrine to Piero Fornasetti. Armand and Martine Hadida’s original outpost in 1980 was incredibly important for a number of reasons, most notably because L’Eclaireur was the first to break brands like Prada, Helmut Lang, Dries van Noten, and Martin Margiela in France. While the Hadidas have had every opportunity to rest on their laurels, the pace has been relentless ever since as they’ve continued to ferret out the world’s best new talent, in fashion, in jewelry, and in home goods. While the mix at every spot varies, we like the moodily gothic Place des Victoires location best. Under the light cast by a strange and fantastic bird chandelier, you’ll find Fornasetti umbrella stands, chunky chain link bracelets from Mawi, cashmere travel wraps by Denis Colombe, and coated Saint Laurent skinny jeans. If time allows, their most recent project shouldn’t be missed, either: They’ve taken a space in Habitat 1964’s vintage village at Les Puces, where they’re selling a smattering of archival fashion pieces along with furniture. The first U.S. outpost recently opened in Los Angeles.

With few exceptions, almost everything that lines the Crayola-colored shelves here rings in at under a hundred euros, whether it's backpacks, patterned wallets, or unique candles.

Home to a happy jumble of melamine plates, bedside lamps, chairs, and vases, Tsé Tsé Associées is run by two Parisian designers, Catherine Lévy and Sigolène Prébois, who met in school. Though business is booming, they still insist on designing every piece themselves. We love their porcelain cornet lamps, folded paper vases, and intricately patterned silk scarves.

A bookshop and antiquarian for over a century, Librairie Alain Brieux specializes in rare scientific and sometimes esoteric titles, though the real allure is its cabinet-of-curiosities vibe. The windows and interior displays are continually refreshed with weird and wonderful assortments of vintage anatomical models, glass eyes, unusual toys, and the like.

The husband-and-wife team behind revamped cosmetics line Buly added a couple degrees of fantasy when furnishing their flagship shop—modeled after a nineteenth-century apothecary—with Tuscan tiled floors, Italian marble counters, intricately carved wooden cupboards, and prettily painted beams. And then there are the products: alcohol-free scents and modern, paraben-free formulations, beautifully packaged in old-fashioned vials and glass jars. Whether you’re in the market or not, this shop is a treat just to look at.

While this chainlet’s busy, color-soaked printed dresses and quirky shoes might be a little over-the-top for our tastes, the global furniture and home accessory finds are a Parisian go-to for injecting a dose of color into a home. At the shop in the 10th, stock up on printed Nathalie Leté dishware, Mexican oilcloths, woven plastic chairs, and more, which are pleasingly crammed into every last nook in the shop.

Both the shop in the 9th and the Tea Room in the 1st are the kinds of Parisian pastry shops you might dream of with pretty, tiled floors, powder-blue walls, old world display cases, and dainty packaging. Both spots are great for stocking up on everything from molded chocolates to macarons, traditional sweets, jams, and marmalades to take home as gifts, though you’ll also want to grab a crème-filled pastry for the ride.

As its name suggests, this long-reigning home goods store in Portland prizes simple lines and useful shapes, like a simply but beautiful Brasilia coffee mill, or a set of Alexander Girard playing blocks. There's an emphasis here on pieces made in the Pacific Northwest, though it has global pull, too: You'll find candles and colored pencils from Japan, and vases from Scandinavia.

At once flower stand—they work with local florist Hilary Horvath—knick-knack shop, stationer, and clothing boutique, this general store kind of has something for everyone. While they reach as far as Europe for some of their finds, including Mariage Freres teas, along with American-made table linens and napkins, Doug Johnston baskets, cookbooks, magazines, and more, they also proudly carry a tasteful selection of Oregon’s best handmade goods.

While working in Amsterdam as a color designer for Nike, owner Kristin Van Buskirk developed a deep admiration for the quirky yet practical design brands that surrounded her. And so, upon moving back to Portland, she brought a couple of her favorites back with her and opened a shop, Woonwinkel—that’s home in Dutch. Here you'll find Hella Jongerius’ ceramics and Studio NL dinnerware along with some local, American brands with a similar design ethos, like Iacoli & McAllister, Von Tundra, and Studio Makelike.

This eclectic Downtown Portland shop is like a shrine to time-honored American craftsmanship: their selection of new and vintage clothing, home goods, tools, and other necessities are all hand-picked for those with a hands-on, active lifestyle (plus, rugged gear fit for braving the great outdoors, catered specifically to the inclement climate and woodlands-mountains-ocean trifecta of the Pacific Northwest). The storefront itself, outfitted with salvaged wood flooring and reclaimed barn wood walls that nod to Oregon’s rich heritage of manufacturing and agriculture, captures the city’s rustic-meets-contemporary style. There's a shoe-centric outpost in Boise that's worth checking out.

This cozy indoor-gardening boutique nestled in Northeast Portland has everything you need to create your own miniature ecosystem: healthy, happy plants, and plenty of decorative touches–there’s even special sand for planting your succulents in, which is a bonus because, 1) it’s quick-drying, unlike soil (succulents don’t require much water), and 2) you can layer colored sands–the red garnet sand, sourced from India, is especially pretty. The mini-gardening experts at Artemisia host workshops that teach customers all they need to know to make their own terrarium, all the while encouraging creativity. For a less hands-on experience, you can always buy one of the pre-made terrariums.

Husband-and-wife team Jocelyn and Robert Rahm (a painter and furniture reclaimer, respectively) restored this 7,000-square-foot warehouse into a workspace-slash-retail space in 2011, and it’s since become a major go-to for Portland’s designers and makers. Here you’ll find that everything has its own story, from vintage home goods and refurbished furniture to handmade ceramic pottery, sunglasses, and earrings, even organic fragrances—some of which is produced in the studio upstairs. This impressive, warm-yet-industrial environment is all for promoting homegrown talent; their second-floor studio is open to inquiries for any independent designers who’d like to share the workspace.

This Old Town Portland work-supply-meets-lifestyle shop is a hotspot for the city’s creative craftspeople and DIY enthusiasts. Locally-made and ethically-sourced goods are their specialty: you’ll find everything from work aprons to selvedge denim jeans, gardening tools to axes for chopping firewood, even a selection of stationery and decor for your studio. In keeping with the founders’ DIY spirit, its airy, modern interior, modular storage, and interactive displays were custom-built by their own team.

When childhood friends-turned-married couple Matt and Carrie Eddmenson brought their warm, inviting Nashville shop to Portland, everything we loved about the original came along with it: from their top-notch selection of jeans, including their own in-house line of American-made Japanese selvedge denim (his and hers), down to the friendly, knowledgeable service and community-centric events. Adding to the Americana ambiance is the wooded interior design, featuring a cedar-lined pine dressing ‘hut’ they blowtorched, sealed, and treated with a Japanese wood-preserving technique.

Powell’s hardly needs an introduction at this point—the Portland flagship is world’s largest new and used bookstore, with more than one million books inside its walls. The interior is always full of people, but with countless bookshelves to peruse, it's easy to find a quiet reading corner. Definitely take the time to look through the incredible selection of obscure titles and ancient editions in the rare book room.

Home to thousands of pieces of fine vintage, antique, and estate jewelry, Gem Set Love (formerly known as Gilt) has been a destination for collectors and casual shoppers alike throughout its 20-plus years in Northwest Portland. Brides-to-be flock here from around the country for the impressive collection of estate engagement and wedding rings with stunning, well-preserved diamonds and precious stones, as well as bracelets, brooches, necklaces, and earrings, each in hard-to-find, if not totally individual designs. With prices ranging in the low hundreds to the several thousands, there really is something here for every budget. This is a reliable place to bring in your own well-loved jewelry for repairs, too.

Every bit the neighborhood toy store, Kids at Heart has been in business for almost thirty years. They carry a great mix of the classic, nostalgic toys parents typically pick out as well as of-the-moment trends that the littles seek out for themselves. Probably the best part of the store is the books section, which carries everything from beautifully illustrated picture books to young adult novels.

Polliwog is run by a husband-wife pair who moved to Portland from Brooklyn—they were seeking a more flexible, laid-back lifestyle after having their first child. Polliwog specializes in products from small, hard-to-find brands, offering tiny knit hats, design-focused onesies, and battery-free toys.

Taking the concept of a local museum shop one step further, not only does the Frye seek out cool design goods and jewelry, but their focus is on local, Northwestern artisans and makers. Should you buy one of their ceramic fortune cookies with fortunes told by a local psychic, say, or an Alice Noon bucket bag, or even an Iacoli & McAllister light fixture, you know you’re leaving Seattle with a real Seattle souvenir.

Founded by the late Martha E. Harris, this flower/gift shop has been a Seattle fixture for 30-plus years. It's a great one-stop shop pre-housewarming or birthday party. They also design the loveliest bouquets and décor for weddings and events, and offer same-day delivery (if you're ordering online, do it before 10am).

It goes without saying that a bookstore devoted entirely to the culinary arts is a bookstore after our own hearts. This is where you want to go to find every cookbook imaginable (both current and out of print) and it’s worth checking the calendar of events beforehand, too, as the cozy space often plays host to chef demos, signings, and cooking classes.

Much like sister store Les Amis, Essenza takes a decidedly editorial approach to its selection of home décor, bedding, fragrances, skincare, and jewelry: The plush bedding, Diptyque candles, Megan Thorne jewelry, Santa Maria Novella lotions and potions, and more are all thoughtfully handpicked (oftentimes from overseas) and merchandised in a way that feels both approachable and special. It’s the kind of place husbands, boyfriends, brothers, and friends can turn to for gifts when striking out isn’t an option.

Lucca is packed from floor to chandelier-filled ceiling with an undeniably reliable assortment of giftables for any and all occasions: Astier de Villatte candles, piles of stationery both vintage-looking and modern, clean beauty favorites from Herbivore Essentials, and the kind of out-there, one-of-a-kind curios that make perfect presents for tough-to-shop-for friends.

Other than the simple, feminine-but-not-prissy interior and robust but not-too-cluttered displays, Moorea Seal (its namesake owner/buyer has been running the place since 2013) has another major thing going for it: A good portion, 7% to be exact, of the offering—tons of dainty jewelry, accessories, home goods, stationery, and giftables—is backed by some sort of philanthropic mission. A gold-plated opal ring, for example, supports Best Friends Animal Society, while the purchase of a hand-forged brass serving set contributes to the Washington Trails Association.

Seattle is home to a healthy roster of excellent bookshops, of which design-focused Peter Miller is arguably the most notable. In addition to a library of tomes that span all manner of topics from architecture to landscape design to interior decorating, the shop carries a tight selection of design-y home décor, drafting supplies, and other related goods.

This artfully cluttered home-goods shop and its stacks of fabrics (both current and vintage), piles of throw pillows, and rows of furniture and tabletop accessories are an interior decorators dream, whether professional or amateur. The mastermind behind the edit is Pam Robinson, who puts her fashion background to good use by sourcing the wares directly from Europe—particularly useful to anyone interested in vintage but not willing to do the legwork to find the good stuff themselves.

Like so many Seattle mainstays, this little-bit-of-everything shop marches to the beat of its own drum. There’s clothing from obscure international labels, beautiful—and a little bit quirky—home goods, jewelry, gifts, and a generous assortment from Seattle-made fragrance line, Blackbird. It’s also the kind of shop where there’s plenty for dudes to rifle through (skater tees, hats, records, and Pendleton everything).

Paper Hammer's amusing graphic cards are designed and handprinted in their warehouse studio in Tieton, Washington, a few hours outside of Seattle. You can find the cards in select stationery stores around the country but if you're in Seattle, go to their lovely shop downtown, which also carries gift-y items like coasters and letterpress tags with clever sayings.

Part gallery, part shop, KOBO carries rare finds from the art and design world, i.e. vintage Japanese tableware, handmade birdhouses, landscape paintings, and special textiles. Their exhibits, which happen six times each year, highlight Japanese artists, as well as artists from the Northwest. The original KOBO location is in Capitol Hill. The second location downtown is located in the former space of the historic Higo Variety Store—and KOBO has kept many of the vintage furnishings in homage to the almost-century-old, family-run business.

Specializing in gorgeous clothing and gifts for babies as well as beautiful accessories, toys, furniture, and make-believe items for kids, Mudpie makes every present feel special. It's bright space is classic and magical feeling, and they also do gorgeous gift-wrapping.

This jewel box of a shop is loosely split into two sections: one dedicated to modern fine jewelry (Kathleen Whitaker, Gabriella Kiss, Arielle de Pinto, and much more) and the other houses a substantial estate selection. The focus here is on unusual, handcrafted one-of-a-kind pieces you wouldn't find anywhere else—specifically, the edit of non-traditional engagement rings and wedding bands is unlike anything we've ever seen. The store itself, though teeny, is so beautifully appointed and so well stocked that you'll need more time here than you might think to really take it all in.

San Francisco's francophiles flock to this jam-packed yet tastefully merchandised home shop for everything from antique furniture, to hand-made quilts and silk bathrobes, to colorful Chinese lanterns, glassware, and kitchen accessories. Because of the range in price points, the complaint about this place seems to be that you can't walk out empty-handed.

There are three locations of this beloved shop, and the original is here. Set in a big, lofty space that could theoretically hold hundreds of items, the impeccably curated store is an exercise in restraint: You’ll find hand-made ceramics, brass trivets, thread-wrapped bows and arrows, and rare, vintage books. The second location is in Venice.

A true mid-century American icon, Heath has been producing beautiful modern and minimal tableware (with a brief break) and tiles since 1948. In fact, it's part of the permanent collections in New York's MoMA—and graces many a table across the Los Angeles restaurant scape. The store, like the products, is modern and minimal, with wooden shelves, concrete floors and a lot of space to browse. Besides the Heath line, they've selected a handful of designers to showcase. There are multiple locations in the SF area, including an outpost in the Ferry Building—the factory store in Sausalito offers seconds (i.e., subtly imperfect plates and bowls) at big discounts.

A little bit fishing lodge, a little bit mountain ranger, this shop’s aesthetic is a modern take on cozy cabin décor. Carrying everything from Turkish towels to Ace & Jig quilts, to dreamcatchers, it’s fun for anyone with nostalgia for that summer cabin by the lake, whether real or fictional.

MARCH may just be the best kitchen and tabletop store in the country. (In fact, we love it so much, we collaborated with them and Alice Waters on a dinner to raise funds for The Edible Schoolyard.) No, this is not the place to buy a Kitchen Aid, or a Silpat, but instead to discover a beautiful, hand-made mortar and pestle, Michael Verheyden candlesticks, or Billy Cotton glass and dinnerware. We were overjoyed when they finally went online last year.

Hands down one of our favorite shops to hit up when in San Francisco, Mill Mercantile is essentially Unionmade for chicks, meaning the vibe is timeless with a whiff of tomboy. It's set up like a mini department store with sections dedicated to shoes (Dieppa Restrepo brogues, classic New Balance), clothing (Apiece Apart, Gitman Brothers), plus home stuff and an impressive wellness corner (lots of Aesop, Arquiste fragrances). If you don't have a Bay Area trip planned in the near future, the online shop is the next best thing as it stocks the best of what's in store.

This goldmine of a shop is the work of former Old Navy designer, Leah Bershad. The space is dimly lit much like a museum, which makes sense since the Southwestern-tinged biker rings, folksy wall hangings, and embroidered dresses from Mexico are essentially pieces of art. And it's not all vintage either, as Leah stocks contemporary items from Ace & Jig, Raleigh Denim, and Cinq Workshop, too.

It's about time San Francisco got a proper high-end, design-centric furniture and décor store of its very own—granted, this one's an offshoot of a Brooklyn-born, NYC-based showroom, but still. The stuff here speaks to a clean, modern aesthetic, think: Roll & Hill's geometric lighting fixtures and gemstone-hued Arflex seating. Shopping here is not cheap (a box sofa we fell in love with rang in at a cool 8k), but thankfully you can set up gift and wedding registries.

This cute, artfully cluttered shop is one of those places where you go to buy one gift, and walk out with all sorts of treasures, whether it's a tiny baking set for kids, a silk-screened linen throw pillow, or beautiful brass hairpins.

There's something of a down-the-rabbit-hole effect when you walk into this magical antiques store. Everywhere you look you'll see collectible curiosities that owners Rod Hipsund and Kelly Ishikawa plucked from antique sales and vintage markets. Particularly impressive are the old-school typewriters and stacks of pre-owned books. Even the contemporary stuff, like the Bonny Doon hand balms and pottery, has a turn-of-the-century vibe.

Packed to the rafters with books, gifts, stationery, and things for the home from all over the world, Rare Device is a time suck, in the best possible way. There's also a gallery space in the back, home to monthly art shows, workshops, and kid-friendly events. There's also an outpost in Hayes Valley.

As the name suggests, the heart of this sprawling, two-story bookshop is architecture, with a vast selection of fine art, design, and décor titles thrown in for good measure. William Stout, who’s an architect by trade, began his vast collection 30 years ago and has since grown it to include close to 20,000 titles. In fact, we tapped him to curate a collection of books for our San Francisco goop MRKT, fittingly set up in the Frank Lloyd Wright building.

The fashion crowd in SF was more than a little excited to find out that Emily Holt, formerly the long-time fashion news editor for Vogue, was bringing her exquisite taste back to her home city in the form of this adorable boutique in the Marin Country Mart. In addition to a great assortment of our favorite fashion brands (Khaite, La Double J, and Sophie Buhai, to start), her shop also carries a stellar selection of books and greeting cards, plus ceramics and other artisan products from local makers.

Topo Designs is a Colorado-based company, and this shop is their first store outside the state. The outdoor brand is best known for their brightly colored packs for hiking, backpacking, bike commuting, or just bopping around town (they also make the best, most durable laptop sleeves), and for the fact that all of their products are made in the United States. In the shop, you'll find a full selection of their offerings, plus favorites from aligned brands like Zeal and Smith Optics, Ursa Major, Wigwam, and Hestra.

This shop in Cow Hollow stocks all manner of Japanese specialty goods from slippers and brightly colored pens to bento boxes and washi tape. Prices are reasonable so it's great when you're picking up gifts for a big group.

Grange Hall, with its gothic, cabinet-of-curiosities vibe, is the yin to Dallas’s glitzier yang. There’s a pretty gorgeous range of home goods—Ted Muehling candlesticks, Astier de Villate ceramics, Cire Trudon candles—along with really stunning jewelry. They just opened an on-site café, too, that serves artfully arranged food and an encyclopedia's worth of teas. This is inarguably one of Dallas’s very best stores.

This store was once literally housed in a cabana on owner Merry Vose's property. However, when her covert, by-appointment operation was shut down by the city, she took her fan base to Lovers Lane. It's equally easy to miss there, which only adds to the allure and sense of discovery upon spotting the unmarked lavender door. The same mix of pretty, affordable labels—MiH, Monrow, Steven Alan, Nili Lotan—abounds.

In a state known for its antique fairs, you’re bound to stumble across great vintage troves, this one being one of the very best. As its name suggests, it’s an antique mall, not a shop, and you should expect to spend some time. You’ll find everything from Murano glass chandeliers to Art Deco dining tables to Chinese lacquered everything. Bonus: They ship everywhere.

Religious paraphernalia, old scientific posters, cowboy boots, turquoise jewelry, Mexican striped blankets, horseshoes, and a good amount of taxidermy, give this antique curiosity shop a particularly Southwestern feel. The seemingly endless, happenstance groupings and displays that line every nook and cranny of this quirky old shop mean you'll likely feel a bit lost.

Like, Friends & Neighbors, Las Cruxes is an experiential concept shop. They have clothing and jewelry, interior decor, books, and beauty, too. What makes Las Cruxes different is that it's also part gallery, and has a somewhat eclectic mix of art objects, drawings, and paintings. Before or after you wander the space, grab a coffee at Flat Truck next door.

A bungalow-turned-shop, with an attached cafe serving coffee, wine, beer, and snacks; and a teepee, wrought iron tables, and board games out back, Friends & Neighbors is as Austin (and adorable) as it sounds. Every room of Friends & Neighbors, which is still designed like a home, is a bit different. The living room has home decor, vintage clothes, and accessories; the bathroom: beauty products (including goop-approved clean brands like Olio e Osso), towels, and linens; while loungewear hangs from an armoire in the bedroom.

When Austin native Currie Person returned home to settle down, she realized that she missed the thoughtfully curated small art object stores she’d visited in Paris and New York. So, in a space she shares with JM Dry Goods, she opened Spartan, a minimalist but beautiful textile/apothecary/home store with everything from cerulean pottery from Victoria Morris and Kati Von Lehmam porcelain tumblers to sycamore cutting boards and stone-washed Turkish towels. Last year, they launched a fragrance collaboration with Olo called Spartan, inspired by—what else?—the Texas landscape. The boutique is just the tip of the iceberg for Person, though, as she also lends her eye to two other shops: Beam & Anchor in Portland and Voyager in San Francisco.

Along with Tex-Mex and live music, there's a big vintage scene in Austin. Aficionados will want to comb all of South Congress and South First Street, but if you're looking for a really great edit, go to Feathers. The shop, which has been open since 2005, is neatly organized, beautiful, and well-run (by two women, one of whom is a Texas native). It's worth a stop for vintage-virgins, too—the clothing and jewelry selection is very accessible, and there are always pieces here that are conveniently easy to work into an everyday, modern wardrobe.

ByGeorge opened in Austin 1979 but in 2014 the clothing and home store came under new ownership—it's now helmed by Austin restaurateur Larry McGuire (of Josephine House, among others). There are two locations in Austin: The Clarksville ByGeorge actually combines two shops next door to one another—a women's store and a men's store. On the women's side, you'll find designers like Chloé, Marni, Saint Laurent, and a good selection of bags and shoes; and on the men's, Brunello Cucinelli, Common Projects, and Levi's Vintage. The South Congress store carries clothing as well (A.P.C., FRAME, Outdoor Voices, Jenni Kayne, and more), but it's also known for its home goods and decor, furniture, ceramics, books, and great gift-y items.

We love a store with a range of price points, and with options ranging from Jerome Dreyfuss purses to Venessa Arizaga friendship bracelets, Saint Cloud certainly qualifies. While it's primarily an apparel store, the accessories (A Peace Treaty scarves, Erin Considine fringed earrings, Lizzie Fortunato gems) can be relied on for consistently good gifts. The fact that they have a great clean beauty selection (Ilia, Grown Alchemist, Olio e Osso) and the sweetest, most creative kids' buy is a major bonus, too.

Started by sisters Chau and Trang Nguyen, this sweet little store near Rice University has a tight edit of apparel, home goods, jewelry, and paper goods. They've also got a great clothing edit, with mid-priced lines like Ace & Jig, DUSEN DUSEN, and Rachel Comey. The badass woven dressing room dividers? The sisters made them by hand.

Biscuit is primarily known for designer Bailey McCarthy's quirky, colorful bedding collection, which incorporates everything from cactuses to arrows to astrology into sweet, soft-as-butter sheets and duvets. The Houston shop also has the best hostess gifts—the store's vignettes are scattered with cool coffee table books, candles, trays, and bar accessories. There are always great little knickknacks, too, like pineapple-shaped golden shot glasses, tin recipe boxes, and embroidered cocktail napkins.

The guy behind Manready Mercantile, Travis Weaver, is as Texas as they come—he grew up in a tiny town in West Texas, and his store drips of that aesthetic, with an enormous American flag hanging in the back, vintage saws, fishing signs, taxidermy on every wall, and an old-school canoe suspended from the ceiling. His brand began with a line of candles he made on the stove top in his apartment—the success of which inspired him to keep making products traditionally marketed to women (bath salts, bubble bath, and more) and making and packaging them for men. Now, he's expanded into clothing, and the brick-and-mortar showcases his own products as well as giftables from like-minded brands like Freenote Cloth, Mollusk Surf, Helm, and Taylor Stitch. During the holidays, it's pretty much a one-stop shop for brothers, dads, and SOs.

Formerly known as L’Arco Baleno, here you'll find globe-trotting, design guru Ambra Medda’s high and low finds. It might be the perfect wood slat bench or an ombré dip-dyed vase from Copenhagen.

All the best-made goods for the grown up boy (or girl) scout. And by that we mean that you'll find the perfect pen knife, Caran D'Ache pen, or Sell Marchell canvas and leather backpack.

Here you'll find well-designed, well-priced, and utilitarian goods for the modernist, whether it's the perfect French candlestick, or notebooks to organize your thoughts.

This mini-shop from the very well-loved independent record label, Ghostly, is definitely geared toward guys—specifically guys who love both music and design. There are backpacks for minimalists, prints from artists who often do album artwork, and plenty of stationery.

As its name suggests, the focus here is on brain games, from backgammon to chess, to marbles.

Here you'll find unusual and affordable home goods with just the right amount of quirk and character—it all has a slightly gothic, but gorgeous, sensibility. There is a by-appointment showroom, should you want to see some of the bigger pieces in person.

We were bummed when Brook Farm General Store—a long-standing Williamsburg go-to full of deeply American home goods—shuttered. But thrilled when we discovered it was to move a bit out of the city and focus on their online shop. The array is better than ever, from cutting boards to checkered aprons, to the perfect teapot.

Jewelry designer Caitlin Mociun is best known for her jewelry—signature clusters often in unexpectedly asymmetrical or haphazard arrangements—in the coolest possible way. Her shop, of course, makes her full line of jewelry available, but Caitlin also curates a selection of great gifts and accessories—she's got an excellent eye for geometric, Bauhaus-inspired ceramics—including a slew of clean beauty brands like S.W. Basics, Earth Tu Face, and Mermaid hair oil. She also has a shop in Brooklyn.

Alder & Co., which has its brick-and-mortar in downtown Portland, Oregon, is known for artisan products with various provenances—the owners are big travelers, and constantly bring back unique items from abroad, but they also have great relationships with local Portland designers, who are prominently featured both in-store and online. There's always a great selection of home décor pieces, like glass bud vases and wooden baskets for storing fresh (or dried) flowers and blankets. They also have a tight edit of apparel from far-flung designers, like Japanese Ichi Antiquités (they specialize in flowy, patterned dresses) or Me & Arrow (for block prints and cropped tops).

It was probably only a matter of time before there was a digital location for high-end smoking accessories, and Tetra delivers with an astonishing array of product. (Seriously, who knew there were so many designers making gorgeous pipes?) What you'll find: gold and silver Zippo lighters, sleek vapes, gorgeously packaged incense, and way-nicer-than-a-medicine-bottle containers for storing the good stuff.

Founded in Melbourne by Danish transplant Christina Fedders, Designstuff has an intense focus on Scandinavian goods, in the form of kids toys, art, furniture, and home accessories. Fedders has a great eye and is fastidious about curating, so it's hard to find anything on her site that's not worthy of a corner in your home. Her collection makes for great gifting for anyone who's just moved into a home or office—our picks include ceramic serving bowls, gilded Skultuna bookends, paint-speckled spoons, and a dustpan that's beautiful enough to display.

Founded by best friends Erica Cerulo and Claire Mazur, Of a Kind sells limited editions by up-and-coming designers, whose stories are meticulously told on the site in an endlessly witty and likable voice (built by Cerulo, who is a former editor). Offerings range from alpaca-lined slippers in an art deco print, to a delicate, golden plant mobile, to brightly patterned dresses. The limited-edition program means that you won't find these pieces elsewhere, so they make great gifts.

The Cooper Hewitt Museum is New York's longstanding design museum, so it's no surprise that their corresponding store has an excellent selection of design-focused products. The brand selection is a great mix of high-end and low-brow, with a buy that includes Hay and Muji, plus a slew of books and one-off design items. Best of all, the museum itself is still a nonprofit, so all proceeds go back into the institution.

Contemporary art museums always have the coolest stores, and some of the best have come online in recent years, making shopping them a bit easier—especially in the case of the Minneapolis-based Walker Art Center. The buyers here have a great eye for quirky, hard-to-find design items, not to mention more commercially accessible pieces from the artists that show at the museum. Currently in our cart: Delfonics stationery, dog balloon wall decals, and Louise Gray quilts, which are designed in Minneapolis.

With so many publications struggling to make the jump from print magazine to online content provider, it's hard not to applaud Wallpaper's decision to jump headfirst into building an e-commerce destination. The shop, which launched in 2015, is everything you'd expect from the design-focused brand, sourcing furniture, home goods, beauty products, and other miscellaneous items, all with a sleek, Scandinavian-esque clean-ness. The vases, candy dishes, and tea sets all make great gifts for nesters.

Think of Stacy Anne Longenecker's online store, which is based out of Brooklyn, as the home accessories shop for the modern (and a tiny bit hipster) home. Her home and kitchen wares include bright, colorful ceramics, woven decorative baskets, and cooking utensils made by skilled artisans, and the selection is rounded out with colorful mid-priced jewelry, journals, stationery, and a robust kids shop. The art section is perfect for outfitting a new home on a reasonable budget, and the holiday section has exactly the kinds of items that make homes look festive without being over-the-top—starting with the cleverest ornaments we've seen.

Photography is a big part of the appeal of New Zealand-based designer and interior stylist Katie Lockhart's online showroom—each piece is beautifully photographed on a tonal dark and light green backdrop. Come here for great home accessories, like vintage linens, architectural iron bottle openers, and cutting boards made from salvaged wood. Lockhart has a brick-and-mortar in Auckland, as well.

Bi-Rite is actually a neighborhood market—it's best known for hyper-local fruits and vegetables and a seriously good deli. Their catering business is capable of everything from a few pre-made meals to a full course dinner, and we love their big platters, which are perfect (and perfectly easy) for corporate events. Their famous ice cream, made in their in-house creamery, makes picking the dessert option a no-brainer.

Before adding a bricks-and-mortar location last year, the guys at Del Popolo were slinging pies out of their now-famous mobile pizzeria. Why famous? Other than the killer Neapolitan-style pizzas, which range from classic Margherita to a honey-spiked potato pie, it’s the ingenious use of a converted shipping container fastened onto a Freightliner truck in place of a standard food truck that got people talking. And lucky for us all, even with the free-standing restaurant (they tacked on some antipasti dishes and a pretty badass wine list to the restaurant menu), they’re still serving pies on the go all over the city out of the mobile pizzeria that started it all.

Humphry Slocombe vs. Bi-Rite Creamery is an ongoing debate between locals. Jake Godby and Sean Vahey—the two dudes behind team Humphry—pride themselves on the time and effort they put into concocting flavors, which run the gamut from Elvis (the fat years) to potato chip to salt & pepper. They’re also bringing back the ice cream cake in a big way.

For a less typical catered meal in the Bay Area, we recommend Rintaro, which serves excellent Japanese-style food at private parties. They also have a restaurant in the Mission, which is worth checking out, too.

Jessica Lasky's meals always feel homemade, even when she's serving a huge crowd. With straightforward menus and a rustic style (think beer bottles on ice in old washtubs and charcuterie plates served on well-loved cutting boards), they do excellent dressed-up family style.

While they call themselves a catering company—and their food is fantastic—McCalls is really a full-service event group. With wedding planning and floral design departments in-house, they bring a lot of resources to the table (pun fully intended) and are a great option if you're looking for a single point of contact.

Paula LeDuc is sort of a San Francisco institution. She's been catering in the city for years, and is credited with introducing the concept of farm-to-table to the industry. Her exquisitely designed meals are best suited for sit-down events; for a black-tie wedding, there's really no one better.

Taste has been serving San Francisco for more than 30 years, and in those three decades, they've established excellent relationships with local farmers–you’ll know exactly where your tomatoes, beef, and even your coffee comes from. Considering Northern California's year-round bounty, you'll be getting farm-fresh food regardless of season. They also offer full-scale event planning.

Cotogna and its more formal sister restaurant, Quince, are beloved San Francisco staples, so it's no surprise that their catering business is booming. Tusk Events (named for Lindsay and Michael Tusk, the husband-wife pair who run both places) can handle events of any size, offering casual Italian family-style fare from Cotogna, more formal options from Quince, or anything in between. Also good to remember: Cotogna's big tables can easily be reserved for large parties–a nice option if you're looking to host a fairly large gathering with minimal effort.

All party planners know that professional photographs will probably never have the social media power of the ones your guests take themselves. Awesome Booth takes care of the camera as well as the props, the prints (they wirelessly share them with your guests), and the backdrops.

It’s awfully rare to find a wedding photographer that shoots in film these days, and that’s exactly what makes Brumley & Wells so unique and different. Obviously, film can be digitized after the event, but the quality of the photo album alone (especially for artists or designers) more than justifies skipping the digital camera. They’re based in San Francisco, but love to travel for destination events.

The first thing you’ll notice about Caroline Frost is that she’s supremely organized: She comes to every event armed with a thorough timeline and a neat list of every shot she needs to get before the day is over. That attention to detail means that she can easily fade into the background on the actual day, never interrupting the special moments around the ceremony or during the reception for photos. Caroline is also famously great at organizing wedding albums—rather than disappearing moments after the event, she’ll walk you through the entire process.

Dylan's sensibility skews more fine art than over-the-top wedding, as his style is casual and unobtrusive, capturing candid moments from unusual angles, like the first look from behind a paned window. If you’re planning on getting married in an outdoor venue with a view (whether it be mountains, beach, forest, or plains), he’s an obvious pick.

Magbooth is kind of like the people's photo booth: Take your pick of prop and custom logos and never worry about going over some preset picture limit. The best part, though, is that ever rental includes an attendant, which significantly minimizes mid-party technical difficulties.

Paige Winn kind of kills it when it comes to the full wedding photography experience. She captures all of the special moments and her portraits never feel staged—plus, she's really easy to be around.

Ryan is a photographer with a talent for capturing the connection between a couple. Unsurprisingly, he does great engagement portraits, too.

Helmed by Jesse Kivel and Michael David (of Kisses and Classixx fame, respectively), this creative collective is lightyears away from cheesy wedding DJs. Simply put, these guys have stellar taste in music. For example: A mix can run the gamut from Missy Elliott to The Supremes to Iggy Pop, with some under-the-radar stuff thrown in for good measure. We're told their vinyl collection is second to none.

David Kimm is an electric violinist at heart, but he also has exceptional DJ skills, so if you're looking for a traditional DJ but with a little edge, he's your guy. He also knows his way around sound equipment, meaning he can hook up your speakers without subjecting your guests to screeching microphones.

It's thanks to Élan Artists that we were lucky enough to have the accordion-wielding Carte Blanche Band perform at our Net-a-Porter dinner. Their roster of entertainers is as deep as it is broad, with acts that run the gamut from cabaret-style burlesque dancers to string quartets to a Jersey Boys tribute band.

Magik Magik fancy themselves a "made-to-order" orchestra. They started out as a service for bands, composers, and other creatives who needed scalable string music for different projects, before bringing it to the public. You can hire their musicians and scale them to the size of your event, whether you’re looking for a full 80-piece ensemble or just a single, talented violinist.

This supremely talented jazz band includes drums, trumpet, stand-up base, piano, and of course, a sultry singer. Even though they definitely have a signature style, they can adapt their set to your taste.

When an event calls for a string quartet, these women get the job done. They all play in major orchestras and their song list is exhaustive: they can even do pop.

The folks at Bloomers are fantastic at incorporating unusual flowers into arrangements. If you're hoping for African violets or parrot tulips and unsure how to style them, this is the shop to call.

When Christina Stembel was doing event planning for Stanford University, she was surprised to find that the majority of flowers used Stateside were imported. In 2010, she launched Farmgirl Flowers out of her living room with the commitment that she would only sell U.S.-grown flowers. Today, the company caters weddings, private and corporate events, and even hand-delivers by bike and car across the Bay Area, and via overnight shipping around the country. Farmgirl typically offers one daily arrangement (e.g., orchids, snap dragons, anemone, eucalyptus, even kale) wrapped in burlap, and in three different sizes, from "fun size" to "big love."

Founded by Paris-born Lana Elie, FLOOM is an online floral delivery service. It is incredibly streamlined. The site is easy to navigate and the arrangements come looking exactly how you order them. The team works with local floral designers in San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles to make sure everything is fresh and delivered intact.

For high-end, fancy flowers in San Francisco, call Claire Marie. The design studio is a family-owned business that’s been in town for almost thirty years now, handling everything from upscale weddings to formal dinners. Perfect for traditional bouquets and fragrant, elegant centerpieces that take center stage without being overpowering.

Floral designer Max Gill does the opposite of keeping it simple. Instead, the designer embraces the complexity of wild plants by adapting them to interior environments. Gill favors foraged blooms, along with rare botanicals from local Berkeley growers. These are no ordinary arrangements, and Gill’s unique eye lends an earthy seasonality to every space he and his team touch. Next time you pass through Chez Panisse or Zuni Café and find yourself wanting to scoop up the floral arrangements and take them home, ask after the designer—it’s probably Gill.

There are few rooms more soothing than one packed with plants. Abundant greenery is the niftiest tactic to summon nature, induce calm, or warm up a scant tablescape or too-roomy room. But buying enough plants to echo the garden of Eden is costly, never mind the time involved in finding the perfect royal fern or tallest fiddle-leaf fig. Then we discovered the Plant Library. With both an East (NYC) and West (SF) Coast presence, this smart start-up has been a godsend—and best of all, it’s sustainable. The process couldn’t be more straightforward: Pick a bevy of plants or tabletop arrangements—thriving potted cacti, evergreens, or desert greens—to pack a space as big or small as your needs demand. The Plant Library will deliver them for your event, and when you’re done, these short-term party guests are collected and rented again.

In the past few years, Waterlily Pond has organized several ambitious floral installations that are actually public artworks (including commissions for the de Young Museum). When it comes to their commercial business, they deliver excellent sculptural arrangements and structures—call them for attention-grabbing centerpieces, well-crafted chuppahs, and pretty much anything you might want suspended from the ceiling.

Although her corporate events are really beautifully executed (no surprise, with clients like Salesforce, Airbnb, and Pier 24), Alison is best known for her gorgeous weddings in Northern California (and really, all over the world). She's expert at creating an experience that feels uniquely personal and not recycled.

When you need to call in the big guns, you call Ken. The guy behind Sean Parker’s over-the-top Big Sur wedding also does interior design (he's put together some of San Francisco's most beautiful restaurants, and his Pottery Barn collaboration just launched), but he's best known for his events. Lavish, creative, and undeniably fun, he sort of has a Midas touch for unforgettable parties.

Laurie’s been in the business since 1994, and while she’s handled everything from dressed-up barbecues to intimate dinners, weddings have always been (and continue to be) her bread and butter. If you’re doing a destination wedding—even if it's just in Napa—book her for weekend and destination planning, which takes the pressure off your guests to entertain themselves by providing activities throughout their stay. In addition to being organized, thoughtful, and easy to work with, she’s got relationships with all of the best vendors in SF.

Floral design is in Natalie Bowen's genes (her mother was a florist, and her grandmother ran the flower shop at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco back in the 1940s). Her own style has a great sense of balance—the arrangements are lush without ever seeming over-the-top. And while flowers are her specialty, she also offers full-scale event design, from lighting to signage to linen and furniture rentals.

Robert Fountain definitely has a flair for the dramatic, in the best possible way. Call him when an event requires something extra special, whether it be ambitious projected lighting, a lavish Indian tent, live performers, sky-high centerpieces, or, in at least one case, a live elephant.

Stanlee Gatti is a fixture of the San Francisco event scene—his all-star client list includes Elton John and George Lucas, and he even planned the wedding for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Stanlee works best at large scale—some of our favorite moments include pantone chairs at an SFMoMA gala and towering pillars of calla lilies at a SAG Awards gala.

We have often found that the realities of hosting an outdoor sleepover have a way of stalling plans. Camp’d Out is a full-service luxury tent company that accommodates off-the-grid locations with ease. Pick a patch of desert or an unoccupied hillside (with permission, of course) and this female-founded company will handle the rest. Tents are spacious and decked out with comfortable blow-up mattresses, organic sheets, rugs underfoot, and handy storm lamps. Camp’d Out will also tailor the campsite to your event with heaters, a camp butler to help with the drinks, a fire pit to ward off the chill (and toast a few s’mores), and an outdoor lounge area to maximize the under-the-stars experience. Go big and book Moonrise Standard to cook a feast. You won’t regret it.

Elan's cadre of beach-wood benches, rattan chairs, and rustic tables is best suited for outdoor events—they've been curated to blend into natural surroundings rather than overpower them.

Shelter Co.'s business concept is completely unique: They've built an entire event-planning company around a gorgeous collection of luxury tents that they put to use in a variety of ways. You can rent just one for a small backyard party, or you can ask them to build out luxury accommodations in the wilderness. For those really remote events, they can also bring in catering, lighting, and general design.

The name kind of says it all: These guys are all about straightforward chairs, tables, and linens, all of which they can provide in large quantities. They're also really reliable and well-priced, meaning you won't get your bill only to realize you spent half your budget on napkins.

Zephyr likes to think of its tented canopies as sails—billowing, crisp, and made to last. This is appropriate given the tent type: The “Sperry” was initially crafted by New England sailmaker Steve Sperry. These canopies are as beautiful inside as they are outside, with many of the panels hand-sewn and the support poles carved out of wood. Most importantly, the entire structure is waterproof. Tents come in a variety of sizes to cater to events of all sizes, and the crew is top-notch. Conveniently, Zephyr also provides beautiful furniture, much of it made from reclaimed wood, hardwood flooring, and incredible lighting (we love the paper lanterns strung from the tent roof, which is as beautiful as it sounds).

Janis' Instagram feed is an excellent place to get a feel for her classic calligraphy and illustration style. You'll find perfectly arranged inspirational quotes, carefully lettered envelopes from her current projects, and a few of her quirky and whimsical illustrations.

Wedding invites are Julie Song's bread and butter, but her illustrations, calligraphy, and branding are all excellent, too. She's also really popular, so get in touch with plenty of lead-time. (Julie is responsible for the gorgeous watercolor menus at our goop x Net-a-Porter dinner.)

The folks behind Yonder are really graphic designers for your entire event, not just paper goods. Involve them in the early planning stages, and they'll keep everything consistent from the invitations to the place cards. Their unique offerings—some of the beautiful scene—can range from engraved wood place cards to custom seals.

This floral studio, helmed by creative consultant Alice Lam, puts together fabulous arrangements for private clients and local businesses.

Tabia Yapp’s floral arrangements are like fragrant art installations for the home. Each month Yapp creates a limited number of vibrant vases (get your order in early) filled with florals styled to play with color and scale. A happy ten minutes scrolling through the Bia Blooms Instagram feels like art therapy; it’s impossible not to feel soothed by the beauty of these arrangements. Sign up for Yapp’s newsletter (the appropriately named Bloomsletter) for details on her monthly limited floral collections. When she’s not crafting bouquets, Yapp runs Beotis, a boutique talent agency for creatives of color. Images courtesy of Tabia Yapp and Dean Castano.

Bloom & Plume arrangements are pretty much unlike anything else out there: Maurice Harris has a telltale flair for the artistic, which results in bouquets and centerpieces that are more botanical sculpture than traditional arrangement. (Take a peek at his Instagram feed to see what we mean—he also did the flowers for our first Cookbook Club.)

Eric Buterbaugh arranges the most beautiful bouquets from quality flowers that last. He's a pleasure to work with, and has long been one of our go-to florists in Los Angeles.

From everyday flowers and plants to bouquets for weddings and other special occasions, The Empty Vase has been reliably churning out stunning bouquets of exceptional quality for years. It's worth a walk into the store, but they do also deliver.

A bouquet of wildflowers and roses landed on the desk of a goop editor recently, and everyone in the office gaped. The light pink and yellow flowers were stunningly arranged and so fresh you could smell them ten desks away. It was the Platonic ideal of a bouquet—thoughtful and artistic and perfect. This was our first introduction to FLOOM, a relatively new online floral-delivery service. It was founded by Paris-born Lana Elie, who has held creative roles at high-end luxury brands across the globe. The service is incredibly streamlined. The site is easy to navigate and the arrangements come looking exactly how you order them. The service works with local floral designers in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco to make sure everything is fresh and delivered intact.

Schentell Nunn has a knack for crafting wildly textural statement bouquets and floral installations with a distinctly modern edge. When it comes to weddings and events, Nunn is seriously in demand, which is no surprise after scrolling through her IG feed and website. Her arrangements contrast full petals from plump flowers like peonies and roses with long grasses, wispy leaves, and other jaw-dropping blooms we can’t name or look away from. Look through the floral offerings section of her site for arrangements available to order. Oh, and as if the flowers weren’t enough, Nunn also designs perfect-for-everyday chunky rings, stackable bracelets, and other gorgeous pieces for her jewelry line, NÜN. Images courtesy of Ashley Randall and Casa de Perrin.

Founded by Sophia Moreno-Bunge and named after Sophia's two Argentine grandmothers (both named Isabel), ISA ISA is an exquisite floral design studio based in LA. Every arrangement is a piece of artwork, making them the most welcome of gifts.

Located near the base of Griffith Park, this flower shop also carries gift-y items like candles, jewelry, and handmade cards. Even if you haven't been in the shop or perused My Secret Garden's website, chances are you've seen one of their arrangements in the background of a TV show or movie, as they do a lot of set work, too.

Equal parts floral boutique and adorable gift shop, Twig & Twine is best enjoyed in person rather than over the phone. Owner Heather Williams' calling card is incorporating unexpected elements into her arrangements, be they succulents or rare, alien-looking blooms.

Downtown's wholesale flower market (it takes up close to two city blocks) is a DIY goldmine. Yes, there are fresh flowers and succulents—both locally and globally grown—as far as the eye can see. But you can also come here to snag supplies like vases, gardening tools, and ribbon for a song. Pros get first dibs daily; the general public can pay a $2 admission fee during the week and $1 on weekends.

If you’re going to open a flower company, you might call it something sweet and whimsical. If you’re going to open a flower company with wit and irreverence, you might call it Pigsty. Which is exactly what Hope Sword did. Sword’s wild and free-flowing florals have accented many of goop's haunts in California, including Little Prince and Jenni Kayne. When this Venice-based doyenne’s not tucking in a Malibu/Santa Barbara/Palm Springs wedding tent, she’s sprinkling her zero-waste bouquets in the windows, tables, and rafters of local eateries and boutiques. (You can also stock up on Pigsty’s sleeves of blooms at the Butcher’s Daughter, the Waterfront Café, Rainbow Acres, and more—weekly.) And when she’s doing none of the above, she’s usually foraging the California hills for grasses, poppies, passionfruit vines—anything green, wild, and beautiful. Sword's arrangements are nontraditional—imagine mashups of dahlias, garden roses, protea, ranunculus. And they're so rich with shape and quirky personality, you may catch yourself waving back at one of the hand-shaped leaves in her bouquets. She's hyperattentive to detail but also flexible when working with clients. After all, it takes a certain level of vision and flexibility to toy with ikebana structure and turn discarded branches into works of art.

Kimm Birkicht is a beloved LA-based floral designer with deep industry roots, which translates to an innate understanding that every arrangement—whether it's for a wedding, family gathering, or work event—needs to speak to the client's individual aesthetic.

Southern California native Yasmine Mei has a magical touch when it comes to flowers. Her vintage-inspired designs are romantic and earthy, but elegantly so. She primarily delivers on the east side but will bring pricier arrangements west. The best way to place an order is via phone, and in advance, as Mei can get booked up.

A five-sibling venture, Fivefork Farms is set on thirty-eight acres of woodlands and rolling fields in Upton, Massachusetts, and has a floral CSA program, which is ridiculously cool. Here's how it works: you sign up for a four, five, or six- week shares, and Fivefork delivers your flowers each week to designated pick-up locations (through New England). The flowers are grown using organic and sustainable practices and of course vary by season—you'll see flowers like anemones, ranunculus, and poppies in the spring; zinnias, foxglove, sweet peas in summer; and an astonishing array of dahlias come fall. The 2016 spring share is already booked but we think the summer share slot would make a wonderful gift.

A neighborhood shop located in Boston's South End, Lotus Designs welcomes walk-ins and also delivers all over town (about a 20-mile radius from the store) provided your flower order is a minimum of $60-plus. And you can place orders online, too. Their cut-off for same-day delivery is 3pm. Lotus Designs carries a little bit of everything but they specialize in fresh cut flowers and orchids. And they also do weddings and events.

Table & Tulip is known for their whimsical, romantic designs. Their fresh-cut floral arrangements, which you can pick up in the store or order online, are stunning and often fabulously inventive (for example, artichoke stalks mixed with roses). Also great: Table & Tulip offers a two-hour floral design workshop where you can learn the craft of arranging flowers with their design experts while enjoying some apps and champagne—and the arrangement you make is yours to keep.

A floral design studio based in Somerville, Massachusetts, Wild Folk delivers throughout Massachusetts, and travels across the country and globe to service weddings and events. Led by self-taught floral designer, Caroline O'Donnell, Wild Folk's arrangements are just what you'd expect from the studio's name: loose, artisanal, and lush bouquets fashioned in glass pedestal vases, urns, and mason jars. Wild Folk is big on sourcing local, in-season flowers, and being as eco-conscious as possible otherwise—composting any leftover floral scraps, and often delivering by public transportation.

Now a third-generation company with seven locations in New England, Winston Flowers began as a father-son team, with a pushcart parked in front of the Ritz-Carlton hotel on Newbury Street in 1944. Winston Flowers prides itself on their close relationships with growers—they purchase their blooms directly from the growers and each one is hand selected. They also highlight local farms, particularly in the time period spanning from late summer to early fall, when favorite flowers like sunflowers, peonies, and lilac are in season. In addition to the first permanent Winston location in the Back Bay (open seven days), there is a second Boston shop in the Financial District (open weekdays).

Ode à la Rose founders Olivier Plusquellec and Louis Brunet are Parisian. And to be Parisian means to know beauty—and in this case, flowers. When they moved to NYC, they were disappointed to see all the dehydrated, wilted, sad arrangements on offer. So disappointed, they decided to start their own floral delivery service: Ode à la Rose. Plusquellec and Brunet started small, working with a few florists who trained in the specific style of hand-tied bouquets that the French have mastered—and they've only grown since. The team creates incredible arrangements with accents straight from Plusquellec and Brunet's home country: gigantic, plump fuchsia roses delivered with French macarons; lilies, wildflowers, and lavender accented with eucalyptus and wrapped in raffia. No detail is too small—the packaging, the richness of the hue of the flower, you name it—and they’re experts in keeping the flowers hydrated during transit. The team delivers in Chicago, as well as throughout the Northeast and New York City (where they have their premiere location above the Chelsea Flower Market). We're just hoping a West Coast outpost isn’t far behind.

With three locations and a newly minted event space—boasting two levels of exposed brick and a courtyard—A New Leaf is a pretty sizable operation with a boutique-y, refreshingly approachable sensibility, which is good since special occasion and wedding florals are their jam. In fact, we asked them to beautify a number of Chicago goop pop-related events. And while they happily take phone orders, we suggest stopping by the Old Town flagship in person to DIY a bouquet from a garden’s worth of cut flowers and color-coordinated ribbon wall. There are also two outposts in Old Town.

Family owned and run by a mother-son duo, this place has been around forever with a reputation that speaks for itself. Repeat clients love that there's no need for detailed direction: Let them do their thing and you won't be disappointed.

The bouquets at Fleur are consistently elegant and original without ever feeling over the top. Their environmental creations are particularly outstanding, like the verdant floral chandelier they created to hang above the tables at weddings.

You might know Jayson Home for the gorgeous store (great furniture and other home goods), but their floral department is one of Chicago's best-kept secrets. The proof is in the pudding: See the elegant white-and-green bouquets they arranged for the Chicago #gooppop dinner. So simple, and so good.

Located in Chicago's River North district, Fleur de Lis is run by two women—one with a background in fashion and window displays and the other in graphic arts. They deliver Monday through Friday, offer floral design classes, and host events in the shop's great atrium space. Fleur de Lis has a few packages that make for a pretty great gift (that gives more than once): a year in flowers (an arrangement delivered each month) and a season in flowers (four times a year). This is also a nice option for corporate events.

Larkspur owner Beth Barnett had a retail space in Bucktown for many years, but business has gotten so busy that she now fills her orders from a private studio (though you can still visit on open studio nights). Her arrangements are gorgeous year-round but particularly special come summer, when she uses flowers from Larkspur's organic flower farm in Michigan. The farm specializes in peonies—be still our swiftly beating hearts—in May and other local perennials for the rest of the summer. With one to two days' notice, they can deliver flowers anywhere in Chicago proper and to almost every suburb.

It’s true that here you’ll find all manner of fresh flowers and gardening tools—they’ll even help black thumbs figure out how to revive dying houseplants—but it’s the custom terrariums that make the original Sprout Home a must-see (there’s a second location in Brooklyn, NY). In addition to botany-related workshops and wedding florals, professional garden-design services (there’s a mini nursery in the back) are also available.

Grown up, sophisticated arrangements are standard at this high-end florist shop in Woodley Park. Allan Woods offers same-day delivery and also has a customizable recurring delivery program for weekly or monthly arrangements.

UrbanStems is an awesomely convenient on-demand flower delivery service that began in D.C. and has since expanded to NYC. Their bouquets, which begin at $35, are very well priced, and they make the whole thing—even last minute orders—a cinch, getting all the details, like handwritten notes, right. Once your bouquet is delivered, they'll send you a photo confirmation, so you're not left wondering about if and when. Equally impressive: UrbanStems has an eco-conscious slant and works with the international nonprofit, Rainforest Alliance, and Veriflora—an agricultural sustainability certification and eco-labeling program—to source their blooms.

After spending her first career working with USAID and NGOs, Tobie Whitman decided to get into the floral business. She launched Little Acres Flowers in 2013 with a commitment to sourcing flowers as locally as possible, and creating as little waste as possible. The company's flowers come from nearby mid-Atlantic farms, with occasional phone-ins to greenhouses further south during cold winter months. You can choose between a daily vase arrangement or daily bouquet. (The limited choice means less flowers wasted, but also, it's sometimes really nice not having to deliberate over endless options.) Either way—arranged in an American-made mason jar or wrapped in burlap from local coffee roaster, Mayorga—the effect is charmingly rustic. Deliveries are made weekdays from 9 to 5 throughout the DC/MD/VA region, with special hours on major holidays.

Established in 1997, English Rose Garden imports fresh flowers daily from around the world. While typical delivery hours are Monday through Saturday, 9am to 6pm, they will go above and beyond for special requests. While they specifically serve D.C. and surrounding suburbs, they also work with a network of florists in other states—and countries—so they can be a one-stop shop for nearly every arrangement you send.

A local favorite, Nisha Kelen opened her floral design studio, Fleurish, in 1997. The studio is by appointment only, and typically focuses on deliveries from Tuesday to Friday, and weddings on the weekends. Arrangements can be custom-made but Fleurish has a particular knack for tasteful, traditional floral designs.

In 2007, Midwestern transplant Hilary Horvath took her floral design talents to Portland where she's become a local staple. You can buy her arrangements at Alder & Co. in Goose Hollow, order for delivery throughout Portland, or contact Hilary for larger event needs.

At Sammy's, flower arrangements are largely hand-picked from the area's seasonal offerings and named after local Portland streets. There are two locations—one in Goose Hollow and one in the Pearl District. Sammy's offers same-day and online delivery, and carries a range of fresh flowers and plants, from lilacs and lilies to terrariums and mini cypresses.

A three-in-one, Marigold and Mint is an organic farm and floral design studio. The farm is about thrity miles east of Seattle on the Snoqualmie River, and governed by organic, sustainable practices. No surprise, the farm grows a variety of marigolds and mint, but also much more, like pansies and strawberries in the spring, sunflowers and roses in summer, hydrangea in the fall, and hemlock in winter. You can shop their flowers (plus their organic produce and other gift items) at their sister location, The London Plane in Pioneer Square, or call/email in a delivery order.

Megan Mary Olander's arrangements have the old-fashioned character of an opulent European garden. She's been sharing her elegant creations with Seattle for nearly thirty years. Her shop carries small gift items and cards, but the flowers are of course the real prize. Each arrangement is designed individually, so if you're not visiting the store, it's best to place your order over the phone to allow for some back and forth, though email requests are also accepted.

Founded by the late Martha E. Harris, this flower/gift shop has been a Seattle fixture for more than three decades. It's a great one-stop shop pre-housewarming or birthday party. They also design the loveliest bouquets and décor for weddings and events, and offer same-day delivery (if you're ordering online, do it before 10am).

The Atlanta outpost of Jackson Durham was so popular that founders Heath Alan Ray and Charles Vance decided to spread the wealth to Dallas and enlisted Todd Events alum Sara Fay Egan to run the show. While they’re a full-fledged event planning company with insane vendor connections (both domestically and abroad), designing lush floral concepts is their sweet spot.

Grange Hall's unusual arrangements definitely feel like they're in a class of their own. Keeping in theme with the otherworldly nature of their shop (one of Dallas's best), their floral arrangements look like they could be found in a cabinet of curiosities. They're excellent at incorporating unusual props like feathers, ribbons, and oddly-shaped vases.

As if we needed any more proof that legendary party planner Todd Fiscus can do no wrong, his beloved Highland Park flower shop just moved to a bigger, better space. This means more room (two beautiful floors-worth) for candles, vases, cut blooms, an orchid bar, and a small but beautiful outdoor garden.

Margot Blair specializes in big-wedding floral design but she also delivers a highly curated selection of arrangements throughout Austin. Her floral creations are so playful and so fun, it's hard not to order one for a friend and yourself. They come in three different sizes, from skinny mini to voluptuous mini, housed in a custom glass jar, a vintage apothecary bottle, or footed glass compote. In other words, you won't regret ordering two.

Run by Austin native, Samantha Jensen, you'll see Bricolage's arrangements all around town, gracing coffee shops, hotels, and other local businesses. Bricolage offers (wonderfully) indulgent floral subscription services, and single deliveries of their evocative arrangements online.

Cebolla Fine Flowers is owned by couple and business partners Luit and Jamie Huizenga, who have been running the business since shortly after Luit emigrated from Holland in the '80s. Their state-of-the-art warehouse (where they also live with their daughter) is equipped with geothermal heating, which keeps the countless orchid plants healthy year-round. In the summer months, they actually offer monarch butterfly chrysalises, which eventually hatch and fly away. If you can't make it to their shop on Lover's Lane, they deliver to almost every neighborhood in the city.

Austin-based Brooke Howsley is the daughter of two artists. Her arrangements are more like works of art with the freshest, most beautiful blooms. While most of her business is weddings and events, she does do bouquets on request—call a few days ahead to order.

In London, it seems like there's always a new flower delivery service popping up, but Bloom & Wild is a standout. For one, both their gift service and their monthly subscription actually fits in the post box, so you don't have to be there to receive it. And then there's the fact that the seasonal arrangements you can choose from take about a minute to assemble—and they instantly look great. This year, they're also doing Christmas tree deliveries for the Holidays. They deliver citywide.

While Ellie Jauncey and Anna Day don't have a flower shop, their Hackney studio is a great way to get acquainted with their freestyle approach to arranging, whether it's the basics of a wedding bouquet or the head-dresses that are so popular at summer festivals. They deliver across London too, though you'll need to get in touch a few days in advance.

Since launching in 2014, the team at Flowerbx has swiftly revolutionized the flower business, delivering single variety bunches across town on a one-off or subscription basis. Not only are they bringing back the glamour of the single variety arrangement, but they've cut out the middleman and made the practice of having flowers at home that much easier (and way more affordable than what you might find at the average florist). Their market-fresh, seasonal blooms arrive prettily wrapped in brown paper, ready for you to arrange in your own containers.

When Simone Gooch moved over to London from Australia last year, her reputation already preceded her, having made floral arrangements and installations for clients like Hermes, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton. Her minimal, sculptural style took off quickly here, too, and was soon seen at many an art gallery opening and fashion event. Lucky for us, she's just teamed up with the shop and garden design blog The Garden Edit to deliver her beautiful creations across London.

This iconic floristry business is thirty years old—and still going strong. Lush, colorful, and seasonal bunches—inspired by the English countryside—are what's on offer at this legendary spot, which is why they've been endlessly replicated across the city. Harper & Tom's offers flower delivery subscriptions—they will come and arrange all the vases in your house—along with gardening contracts in a similar, countrified vein.

The team at McQueens are in charge of the flowers at some of the city's glitziest events and spots, including Claridges and The Berkeley. Unsurprisingly, their delivery service is right up to scratch with elegant and modern bouquets coming out of their hulking Bethnal Green shop and studio. Operating for nearly thirty years, McQueens is also home to an excellent flower school for those who want to get the look at home.

The premise behind Florence Kennedy's flower delivery business is so simple and yet so genius. Every Sunday morning, Florence designs two seasonal bouquets for customers to choose from that week, and these seasonal, hessian-wrapped bouquets are then delivered by bicycle across the city for just £39 a pop. If you dig what they're doing, you can subscribe to the service on a monthly or weekly basis, too.

This tiny sliver of a shop in Mayfair—in fact, the entire space is made up of a staircase—is packed with inspiration that comes in the form of owner Silka Ritten-Thomas' unusual floral arrangements and the art shows she curates alongside them. Her flowers—some real, some paper—are often asymmetrical, bright, and sculptural, and are really more of an art form than your regular bouquet, so call way in advance if you're looking for a special delivery.

Nikki Tibbles' flower emporium has been going for more than twenty years strong, making her a household name and her shops—a concession at the entrance to Liberty, a landmarked turqoise street island in Notting Hill, and a formal Chelsea boutique—an institution. You can count on Wild at Heart for their signature graphic bouquets which make perfect gifts no matter the occasion. Their seasonal jam jar arrangements make a particularly thoughtful host gift as they're so easy to throw on the table or mantle for quick dinnertime decor.

With flowers spilling out the doors and onto the sidewalk at this charming corner shop in Montmartre, Adriane M is the stuff of a Parisian fantasy. Because they work for a spectrum of clients from hotels to private homes to delivery, they're versed on a variety of styles from the long-stemmed and modern to the more seasonal, romantic arrangements you might expect for a bouquet. Many of their customers are so loyal they've opted for a delivery subscription—even daily delivery is available here.

While it might look like another cute Parisian flower boutique, this hole in the wall shop is actually powered by flower.fr, which is probably the most user-friendly delivery service in the Parisian market. Whether you walk into the shop or order online, they have a wide variety of loosely arranged, seasonal bouquets available at all times. In fact, they're the only flower shop we've seen that opens on Sundays, a real rarity in this town.

Only in Paris would you find a florist's shop that's operated for over a century—Lachaume is the oldest in town. Proust was a fan back in the day, while today it's Karl Lagerfeld who sings its praises. At their upscale address on Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, Caroline and Stephanie, who took over from their grandmother, continue her tradition while working with local producers to create bouquets that are much more attuned to the seasons. They're also known for their dramatic, long-stemmed arrangements, and their incredible selection—they even have exclusives on certain varieties.

With a prestigious address and a business dating back to the 1870's, Henri Moulie and his son Julien sustain quite an operation, catering to some of the most important addresses and splashiest events in Paris while sourcing many of their blooms from their own flower farm in Brittany. Theirs are the grand arrangements you might find at local embassies, hotels, and government offices, though that certainly doesn't stop them from creating smaller, though no less exquisite formal arrangements for delivery.

With its chalk grey walls, taxidermied birds, black furnishings, and romantic aesthetic, Odorantes is as boutique-y as it gets for a florist. Fittingly, Owners Christophe Hervé and Emmanuel Sammartino have developed a completely novel way of creating bouquets and arrangements, basing them around scent first, then composition. This means that most their bouquets are predominantly made up of rare rose varietals with a few other scented seasonal flowers dotted in. Even if you're having a bouquet made as a gift for delivery, it's worth heading to the shop just for the experience.

In a city of incredible florists, whose studios spill out onto the street with buckets of blooms, Une Fleur en Liberté might be the best. Their arrangements are also surprisingly affordable (especially compared to some of the more famous ateliers).

Quite possibly the most popular wedding venue in all of San Francisco, the Fairmont is kind of an essential stop, even if it's just to take in the lobby in all its candy-colored, chintzy glory. The massive 592-room hotel sits at the top of Nob Hill and is home to a wonderful fancy restaurant, a great afternoon tea service, and honeybee hives in the herb garden. Then there's the gloriously kitschy Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar. A Tiki bar, complete with a lagoon and spontaneous indoor thunderstorms, may be the last thing you'd expect to see inside a Fairmont but it kind of works.

This elegant and airy space right in the middle of downtown San Francisco is ideally situated for walking around the heart of the city. There are also the Yerba Buena gardens nearby and a stunning lap pool inside the hotel for when you need a break from sightseeing (there's also a full-on Equinox gym). It's definitely one of the city's best hotels (if not its best).

At over 100 guest rooms, Zetta is a pretty big operation (it's a member of the Viceroy family, so expect a certain level of sceney-ness), but thanks to so many welcoming touches and one-of-a-kind local art sprinkled throughout, it feels totally boutique. The guest rooms are particularly well equipped to accommodate business travelers with customizable desk spaces and high-tech gadgetry throughout.

Like any Ritz property, this one is unabashedly luxurious, but what's really exceptional here, is the Nob Hill location. Touristy but mandatory Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, and the Ferry Building are all within walking distance, and Chinatown is literally a block away. After a day of hoofing it all over town, the freshly redesigned rooms and on-site spa are a godsend, as is the complimentary Ritz Kids club.

If you have the deep pockets to cover the hefty bill and a taste for splash, this is definitely one of the places where you want to stay in San Francisco. Like any St. Regis property, excellent service is a given, as are large, soothing rooms complete with all the luxury bells and whistles. The hotel is steps from some of the city’s most notable sights (SFMOMA is right next door, so is the Jewish Contemporary Museum and Union Square). Plus, there's an onsite Remède spa.

If anyone’s mastered the art of malty, bubbly sourdough pizza, it’s David Nayfield, who’s a household name in San Francisco for the magic he makes at Che Fico. If you’re open to fruit on pizza, the pineapple is sliced so thin it almost disappears. It’s so good. Then, go for handmade tagliatelle in glossy ragu, tender lamb loin, and fried, breaded balls of risotto. At Saturday or Sunday brunch, go for San Marzano Bloody Marys, Sightglass coffee, and the same famously good pizza with a fried egg on it.

Chef Michael Chiarello does traditional tapas in a totally new way. For one thing, the portions are hearty and filling, not the miniscule bites you might be used to; the ingredients lean heavily on what's in season rather than what's expected. For dessert, get the churros—served with drinking chocolate and a sci-fi-looking berry powder. While you wait for a table (call ahead for reservations), the outdoor bar is a fun scene to grab a drink.

Not nearly as fancy as sister restaurant, Quince, Cotogna serves up Northern Italian fare using the highest quality ingredients from nearby markets. It’s the kind of stuff we’d happily eat on a nightly basis: fresh pastas, veggie plates, wood-fired pizza, and simple fish entrees. In the elegant, almost all-wood dining room, the vibe is lively but not loud as tables are generously spaced. If you can get a table, great, if not, dining at the bar while watching the chefs at work is pretty awesome, too. A better option yet is to snag the Chef's Table in front of the open kitchen (or reserve the entire place).

Delfina is a lovely place with a fantastic Italian menu and delicious fresh pizzas. Because it's so damn good, it's usually crowded and hard to get into, which makes the smaller, more casual, but equally good pizzeria next door a great alternative, especially for a later lunch.

Sustainable seafood practices have long been a topic of conversation in California. The folks at Fish. don't talk a big game, they live it. Everything at this Sausalito spot, from the daily catch to the Portuguese chowder, is sustainably sourced by local fishermen with the protection of wild fish populations in mind. There's even an on-site fish market (sustainable, of course) for at-home cooks.

Fresh off a major expansion, which doubled capacity and added outdoor seating, this Ferry Building mainstay draws a consistently big crowd for its oysters. The cooked food menu is pretty enticing as well: The clam chowder is creamy but doesn’t weigh you down after just a few bites and the shrimp and grits is the ideal share plate. But back to the oysters. There are three different variations of grilled oysters in addition to an oyster po’ boy that actually rivals the original.

The interior of Leo's is another gorgeous creation from Ken Fulk, with marble tabletops, verdant wallpaper, checkered, East Coast-style floors, and wicker stools. Tucked away from the main restaurant are two distinct private dining spaces. The Tiki Lounge is a bamboo-wrapped tropical oasis perfect for an intimate dinner. The Hideaway is an ode to old-Hollywood with sumptuous palm-patterned wallpaper and room for up to twenty-eight seated guests. As for the food, the oysters here are served old-school, on ice and with a generously poured flute of champagne. The menu's just as good off the raw bar—we love the lobster roll, shrimp toast, and tater tots.

This big, bustling Italian restaurant is a huge hit with the after-work crowd on weekdays and for date night or group hangs on weekends; and with five separate private dining room options, it's a classic on the holiday office party circuit. The sharable plate of house-cured meats is a must order no matter what your reason for venturing out. The rest of the menu reads like a greatest hits list of Italian comfort food: loads of seafood, grilled veggies, and of course, pasta. Though the main dining room has a great convivial vibe, we prefer to take our meals at the bar (coincidentally, the cocktails here are excellent).

San Francisco isn’t exactly famous for pizza, but the Neapolitan-inspired pies at Delfina’s teeny spin-off are way more than respectable, which explains why three more locations have mushroomed all over Northern California (there's also one in the Mission). While the pizza is the obvious star, supporting dishes like the tricolore salad and salumi platters are also consistently excellent.

Don’t be fooled by the quaint wood-and-white dining room, the food offering at this family-owned favorite (Joel Bleskacek and Maxine Siu have been at it since 2010), is top notch. Dinner, though excellent, is a pretty mellow affair compared to breakfast and brunch. From house-made granola to lemon-ricotta pancakes, everything is prepped using the finest locally sourced ingredients; the perfectly browned potatoes, which serve as sides for all manner of egg dishes, are legendary.

San Ho Won to feels warm and familiar, with all the care and attention to detail of fine dining. (It’s the work of Chef Corey Lee, whose flagship restaurant Benu has three Michelin stars, and Jeong-In Hwang, who trained there under him.) On the surface it’s a Korean barbecue spot, and aptly all about the grill: beef tongue, bulgogi, and tender galbi, all roasted over lychee-wood charcoal made just for the restaurant. Fill in the gaps with green-onion pancakes with fat slabs of yam, riblet and tteokbokki stew, four kinds of kimchi, and scoopable egg soufflé with rock seaweed sauce.

Dining at this Michelin-starred gem is an all-senses-on-deck experience. There are only 12 seats in the smallish space surrounding a bustling open kitchen. The new-Nordic-inflected tasting menu focuses on sustainably and locally grown ingredients prepared in unexpected ways. And the wine program is just as impressive as the food.

On Friday and Saturday nights, this sprawling space feels and sounds like a rowdy dining hall and tables are spaced just far enough that you can hear your neighbors' conversation without bumping elbows. The floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto busy Polk Street, which adds to the buzzy vibe. Menu-wise, it’s all small plates that change seasonally, however, the lobster ceviche, lollipop kale, and uni bucatini have become signature dishes. Come with a friend or a date for cocktails and a few sharing plates.

At first glance, this Sausalito staple looks like a run-of-the-mill sushi joint (going strong since 1986), complete with an almost all-wood interior, sushi bar, and knowledgeable staff, but upon close inspection of the menu you'll see that it's anything but. To supplement the ample fresh fish selection—delivered daily by local fishermen or shipped in from Tokyo’s Tsukiji market—there are artfully prepared vegetables, inventive small plates, and non-seafood proteins.

While the name may suggest otherwise, at Tacolicious the drinks and the scene are the main draw. Take the margaritas: there are several on the cocktail list and each one is good enough to order by the pitcher. That said, the tacos are solid, as are the salads and guacamole. There's also a location in the Marina and the Embarcader.

It's been around since the Gold Rush, so you kind of go here more for the history than the food. If you're in the mood for the full white-tablecloth experience, order the charcoal-broiled fish as it's said Tadich is responsible for pioneering the technique in the U.S. If not, we like the bar for a martini and people watching.

This is the best place to go for authentic Dim Sum as the offering is vast, including every dumpling choice you can imagine. The dining room doubles in capacity on the weekends in order to accommodate the crowds while the menu decreases in size, meaning weekdays are definitely the best time for a meal. There's a nearby location on Stevenson Street, too.

With its cozy back patio and artfully weathered awning, Cole Valley's Zazie would look right at home on a tiny cobblestone street in Paris. The French-inflected menu of grilled figs, fish soup, lamb tagine, and respectable wine list (on Tuesdays the owners waive the corkage fee if you choose to bring your own) help the cause, too. The brunch, which is equally excellent, is served daily.

Bi-Rite Market somehow manages to carry everything you would need in one smallish grocery store—and it's all generally local, organic and sustainable, too. They cater and have a seasonal deli with a changing menu, plus plenty of samples. For a special treat, visit Bi-Rite’s creamery across the street serving local, organic ice cream. There's also a location on Divisadero Street.

Sure, it's technically a deli, but that's only because there isn't really a fitting name yet for a quick and easy lunch spot (they're great for dinner and breakfast, too) that does the requisite sandwiches, soups, and salads while adhering to the tenets of the slow food movement. This means that everything on the menu is sustainably and locally sourced, mainly from Sonoma's family-owned Oak Hill Farm. The grilled cheese sandwiches are especially insane.

There are now many locations in the Bay Area, with cafés in the Ferry Building, Hayes Valley, Heath Ceramics, Market Square, Mint Plaza, and on Sansome. Perhaps the most groundbreaking of their brews is the chicory-spiked New Orleans cold brew, which comes in a handy single-serving carton.

It's kind of a tourist attraction and we can't speak for the food, but this old-timey place claims to have brought Irish coffee to the States back in 1952. After sampling the boozy, piping hot, perfectly foamy drink we get what the fuss us about...simply put, this stuff is bomb—exactly what you want after a chilly walk around fisherman's wharf.

There's nothing glitzy or particularly fancy about this classic scoop shop, but as evidenced by the out-the-door line (don't worry, it always moves fast) the small-batch ice cream is second to none. We like that they keep it fairly simple with flavors, the most inventive of which—and arguably the tastiest—is the Black Walnut, though Avocado and Grasshopper Pie are close seconds. You can also custom order a traditional ice-cream cake (sadly, these are becoming harder and harder to come by).

This historic bar inside the Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel has been open since the '30s, when waiters in white tuxedoes served the drinks (indeed, the Redwood Room's conservative dress code made it an important battleground for clashes between San Francisco's old guard and the long-haired kids of the '60s). The art-deco style space underwent a complete restoration in the early 2000s, bringing the redwood paneling on the walls and the deep bar, which was rumored to have been built from just one redwood tree, back to their former glory. The vibe here can get a little clubby at night, so we like to stop by in the early evening for pre-dinner drinks.

For after-dinner drinks, head to Rye where the bartenders will concoct the drink of your choice using the freshest ingredients. It's the kind of mellow place that doesn't use its cool, candle-lit ambiance or stellar reputation as an excuse to hike up drink prices.

This homey shop has been taking up the same space in North Beach for 25 years, so it makes sense that owner Howard Gee has had plenty of time to figure out exactly what his clientele wants. And apparently, what they want is really great denim from established (APC, 3x1, Levi's Vintage Collection) and on-the-low (Matias, Rogue Territory brands, Ubi). It's also one of the few stores in the area catering to both men and women.

Savile Row, London, 1920s. That is what came to mind when we visited this impeccable atelier in San Francisco’s historic Jackson Square. Owner and designer Lan Jaenicke will fit you for a custom piece, be it one of her architectural dresses or a silk blouse that feels like you’re cloaked in a cloud. Jaenicke, who has an unparalleled skill for creating clothing that is poetic and timeless, wanted the space to show the entire design process, from the fitting to the construction. (She actually sews some of the pieces on the premises.) You can also eye the ready-to-wear collection, all in silk, cashmere, and linen. And even if you’re not looking to shop and you’re just wandering down Jackson Street to admire the old facades, this boutique is worth a visit. Jaenicke has considered—and honored—every element of this 1860s brick-and-cast-iron building that was once the original Ghirardelli chocolate factory. She punctuated the space with antique scales, shimmering selenite hearts, and dried lavender. Everything is in harmony here.

The website doesn't really do Basil Racuk's artisan accessories justice, so it's a good thing he opened a brick and mortar boutique. Bags, pouches, clutches, and the like are all handmade on-site using natural hides and can be customized as little or as much as you like. We're particularly fond of the totes, which are longer in silhouette and come in metallics as well as neutrals. For guys, there are excellent luggage pieces.

Cielo carries designers like Haider Ackermann, Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Yohji Yamamoto, Limi Feu, Sacai, Rick Owens, Marni, and Marsell shoes. Their sister store, Blu, has a slightly more playful collection, selected with the same great taste.

Though you can find designer Erica Tanov's beautifully printed, bohemian separates at select stores throughout the country, visiting her namesake Berkeley boutique is the way to go. In addition to her own clothing and jewelry, she mixes beautiful menswear-inspired shoes by Officine Creative, imported Turkish towels, Jessica Niello tableware, and much more.

Flora Grubb started her gardening business with the goal of demonstrating just how beautiful gardens that don’t require a ton of water or chemicals can be. As a result, her picturesque San Francisco nursery and shop has become the go-to place for indoor and outdoor succulents and other cool native plants—you can see their work in action at our SF goop MRKT—not to mention, a ton of gardening-related gifts and an on-site outpost of Ritual coffee. Here, Flora and her staff will help you design or redesign a garden, pot some plants, and even provide gorgeous California-grown florals for events.

Housed in a Tenderloin warehouse originally built in 1910, Jay Jeffers' eponymous store was a long time coming. His design firm has been around since 1999, but it wasn't until 2012 that the long-awaited brick-and-mortar finally opened. The store is a stunning reflection of Jeffers' signature style; eye-catching and interesting without being flashy, and simultaneously comfortable and sophisticated. As for the merchandise, you'll find plenty of bespoke furniture from talented designers and craftsmen, many of whom Jeffers has limited-edition partnerships with. If you're not currently redecorating, there's a healthy selection of books and a few fashion items, plus plenty of throws, pillows, and bar accessories to take home.

This is one of the best estate and antique jewelry stores in the country. There's no need to dig through piles of baubles to get to the good stuff because everything is literally a gem. They have close to 50 years of experience and only hire vetted jewelry historians and gemologists to handle the buying and selling, so you can unload some family jewels and find the perfect heirloom engagement ring in one fell swoop.

Focusing primarily on Belgian and Japanese designers (Engineered Garments, Dries Van Noten, Comme des Garçons), the long-standing MAC is one of the city's primary destinations for edgier labels. It's enduring power probably has something to do with the owners, a brother-and-sister team with a seemingly bottomless well of design knowledge, which they pass onto their employees and customers.

The buyer, Sherri, worked at Neiman Marcus for years, so she has pretty great and sophisticated taste. To stock her elegant, comfortable shop she travels to Paris, London, and New York to bring back the best of the shows (Marni, Preen, and Natasha Zinko to name a few). It's best to let her or a member of her knowledgeable team to take the reins and fill the fitting room for you, as more often than not, they can predict what you'll want before you know you want it.

While we're lucky enough to spend the better part of our days around beautiful RH pieces at goop HQ, stopping into their flagship gallery in the Design District never gets old. Perched near the San Francisco Design Center, you can easily lose an afternoon here, where the completely redesigned space—surrounded by garden courtyards replete with tranquil fountains and lemon and olive trees—allows you to experience RH Modern and RH Design Atelier, and the latest RH Interiors collections.

Toujours is tiny but great. Beverly, the owner has worked in lingerie for years, has a wealth of knowledge, and used to have a shop called Chloe across the Golden Gate Bridge. The store features sexy, comfy, and in-between.

Claudia Altman-Siegel worked for Luhring Augustine Gallery in Chelsea (they represent such luminaries as Rachel Whiteread and Christopher Wool) for 10 years before striking out on her own with her namesake San Francisco gallery. You can rely on her to show work from excellent newcomers from the local area and beyond, with a roster of bright stars like Garth Weiser and Sara VanDerBeek.

The California Coastal trail is actually one giant mega-trail connecting Mexico to Oregon. For this segment in the Presidio (the park and former army base that make up a protected area around the Southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge), you'll walk a 2-3 mile stretch from Baker Beach to the Golden Gate Bridge along the rocky coastline. With views of the bay throughout, it's a gorgeous way to approach the bridge; plus, it's much less touristy than the other walking approach, which starts in Fisherman's Wharf. This route is a great little hike for wearing out the kids, and the Presidio offers a lot of other side trails, too, if you're hoping to string together a longer morning run.

Crown Point Press is one of those hybrid spaces that functions as a printmaker, publisher, bookstore, and gallery all in one. They invite artists from all over the world to work in their state-of-the-art printmaking studios, producing limited-editions that they sell and display in their gallery—the list of artists they've worked with is pretty jaw-dropping, with everyone from Chuck Close to Chris Ofili to Alex Katz.

Much like the Met in New York or LACMA in Los Angeles, the de Young Museum is San Francisco's encyclopedic public cultural offering—with a significant collection of Asian Art and celebrated holdings in sculpture, painting, and works on paper. After suffering significant damage during the Loma Prieta earthquake, the museum closed for five years starting in 2000 for a complete rebuild. The new Herzog & de Meuron-designed building and corresponding landscaping have made it into one of the most significant architectural destinations in the country. Even if you don't have time to stroll through the exhibitions, it's worth a trip to walk through their gorgeous grounds in Golden Gate Park.

Jeffrey Fraenkel opened his eponymous gallery when he was just 24, and over the course of the last 35 years has built his brand as one of the best photography galleries in the country. With a formidable list of artists (he's shown everyone from Sol LeWitt to Diane Arbus, and he handles the estate of Garry Wineograd) and a slew of loyal collectors, he's had an enormous influence on many significant photography collections in the city.

Cheryl Haines has had a long and successful career as a gallerist, but she's best known in her home city as a fierce advocate for public art—she's the visionary that brought Andy Goldsworthy's signature Spire in the Presidio. Most recently, she's gained critical acclaim for bringing a major site-specific work by Ai Wei Wei to Alcatraz (and dying her hair blue in the process). With artists like James Turrell on her roster, a visit to her gallery, which is a total hidden gem compared with the large public artworks she's better known for, is never a disappointment.

Cultural history of San Francisco often focuses on the '60s, but Mission Dolores, the city's oldest standing building, is a gentle but firm reminder of San Francisco's long and fascinating history. Built in 1776, the mission has a simple exterior but a more opulent space for quiet prayer inside; a visit will feel like stepping into tiny old European churches, but with a distinctly California sensibility. While this is definitely a tourist destination, it's interesting to note that Mission Dolores is still an active parish of the Catholic church, with an elementary school and plenty of opportunities for worship if you're so inclined.

When you visit the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, it's also worth a stop at San Francisco's Botanical Gardens. They have a beautiful area featuring native California plants, but you can also find a significant Magnolia collection, an Andean cloud forest, and (to satisfy your inner landscape designer) a crazy-good succulent garden.

After closing HQ for renovation and running their programming remotely for nearly three years, SFMOMA opened its doors to the public again in 2016. This renovation nearly tripled the size of the museum’s gallery space, expanding it from 70,000 to 170,000 square feet and giving it more exhibition space than even New York’s Museum of Modern Art. The impetus for all the new square footage? To devote space to a generous loan from collectors Doris and Donald Fisher, whose collection comprises a survey of contemporary American art that starts in the 1980s and continues to today—visitors can expect to see Chuck Close, Andy Warhol, and Ellsworth Kelly well represented, plus a strong showing of German art from that timeframe. There are also plenty of other must-sees, including an expansive outdoor living wall, a room full of Clyfford Still behemoths, and Richard Serra sculptures that can be experienced for free by the public, as they occupy an open first floor. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the website.

There's one thing every one of Michelle Snyder's clients has in common: they're fiercely loyal. And it makes sense, too, as her taste level is unmatched and her cuts are legendary. The salon itself has a small library and a minimalist vibe, making it a great place to spend a few hours while your highlights cook.

Credo stocks a wide range of non-toxic beauty brands from around the globe, including top skincare and makeup products from de Mamiel, Ilia, Kjaer Weis, Kyhttps://shop.goop.com/shop/collection/brands/kyprispris, RMS, and Tammy Fender. The original shop debuted in 2015 in San Francisco, and is also home to a Tata Harper spa that offers facials, waxing, makeup lessons, and more. The second shop opened a year later in NYC, with its own Credo Beauty Bar, where you can book similar treatments.

Andrea Lembkey owns and operates this quaint second-floor space, where each treatment is leisurely and attentive. As a bonus, she performs some of the most potent, results-oriented laser facials on the market, as well as great waxes.

No one really enjoys a trip to the waxer but a treatment here comes with cocktails and bump-free results, making a visit almost bearable. They use only natural waxes (both hard and soft) or a sugar, lemon, and water mixture that goes on warm and comes off sans breakage and with minimal discomfort. Each treatment room boasts a different theme—nautical, camping, beach—but not in a kitschy way.

This salon is hip and chic without screaming hip and chic. The front desk staff are always incredibly cheerful and helpful and the stylists do amazing color and nourishing conditioning treatments at reasonable rates.

Any facialist worth their salt can make you glow after a treatment, but Kristina Holey’s aim is to bring skin into long-term balance. This means that each treatment begins with a thorough dissection of eating habits, skin-care routine, and general lifestyle and ends with a detailed homework assignment for everyday maintenance. The one and a half to two hours she spends with clients are completely customized, though all include a rousing face massage, as well as broths meant to calm and strengthen skin from within.

Sarah actually shares a space with waxing studio Habit, so the rooms here look kind of like a girl's bedroom: dimly lit, pastel-hued, and comfy (the treatment tables are covered in layers of blankets). Once you lie down, Sarah literally tucks you in before beginning the treatment, which is a combination of high-tech and natural elements. The microdermabrasion works wonders without feeling like your face is being sanded off.

This deceptively sweet-looking spa is actually pretty hardcore when it comes to anti-aging treatments. The Russian mother-daughter team who founded it in the late '70s rely on everything from LED light therapy to dermaplanting to microdermabrasion in their efforts to stave off wrinkles and discoloration. On a lighter note, there's also makeup application, waxing, and massage.

We love how this streamlined boutique exudes the perfect mix of rockstar edginess and eco-consciousness–the latter being obvious on its shelves that are stocked with some of our favorite natural beauty brands including Vintner's Daughter and Rahua. A full service salon anchors the space, where you can find some of the city's best colorists and stylists.

Vermont native Emily Thompson earned an MFA in sculpture from UCLA, a fact that’s evident in all of her floral centerpieces—yes, she uses flowers (which tend to be as wild and fecund as possible), but she builds them into boutiques that look like they might have sprung from a Renaissance painting. There are brambles, and sticks, and over-ripe pieces of fruit, all done up to pretty stunning effect.

L'Olivier Floral Atelier consistently produces some of the most remarkable floral arrangements in New York: You can find Olivier Giugni's work in monumental arrangements in hotels and restaurants all over the city, but you can also have smaller arrangements tailored to your home. He's a great resource if you’re planning a wedding or a party.

For events that require not only meticulous attention to detail when it comes to the décor and organization, but also pitch-perfect food, Mary Giuliani and her team are the go-to. Everything from flowers to mixology to décor (and more) comes as a part of her service. She intertwines the latest in the food and entertaining worlds, exemplified in her recent collaboration with Chef Mario Batali. If you’re looking to bring the flavors of your favorite Batali restaurant to your next party, Mario by Mary catering offers seasonally inspired Italian menus that will surely create a memorable culinary experience. For a quick taste of the collaboration, check out Mario by Mary's new Italian fast casual concept at The Pennsy.

Legendary florist Katsuya Nishimori first made a name for himself as the chief floral designer at the floral shop inside the Japanese department store Takashimaya. When Takashimaya shuttered in 2010, Nishimori and his team opened up their own place in Flatiron. They're known for daring, architectural arrangements with a distinctly Japanese aesthetic. Most of the flowers come from their organic farm in upstate New York, about eighty miles north of the city.

Operated by husband-and-husband team Michael and Darroch, Putnam & Putnam's gorgeous, otherworldy arrangements grace the tabletops of some of the city's most exquisite events and weddings. (The amazing team supplied the incredible florals for GP's wedding.) They also deliver smaller-scale arrangements and host classes and workshops. Most recently, the duo opened its first retail location in Moxy Chelsea, where they turned the hotel's entrway into a verdant, lush, botanical reprieve from the city.

Cloud Catering's Michelin-trained chefs spend the same amount of time and effort on presentation—the dishes seriously look like edible works of art—as they do on crafting insanely delicious recipes, which is precisely why we love them (and had them do the food for both our Diane von Furstenberg collaboration dinner and our Net-a-Porter celebration).

Denise Fasanello is a fine artist by trade, so it makes sense that her arrangements have a museum-worthy quality. She's particularly skilled in trimming arrangements with wildflowers and rustic elements, which creates a texture and volume that's as unexpected as it is beautiful.

Why we love Robert's floral services: You tell him what kind of flowers you like, and what your color scheme is; he comes along and personally makes beautiful flower arrangements in your space.

Fleurs NYC supplied the incredible hydrangea centerpieces for our Net-a-Porter garden party. Their aesthetic is clean and approachable, so nothing feels overdone.

This is fancy, white-glove catering at its best. Sonnier & Castle is famous for hiring experienced chefs from the finest NYC restaurants, which in turn translates to sophisticated finger foods, plated dinners, and buffets. What's great is that they can take care of all the details—waiter uniforms and wine pairings included.

Ramblin' Dan (aka Dan Griffith) and sometimes his wife Julie Dicterow are hands down our number one pick when it comes to kid's party entertainment. Their focus is on getting little ones to express themselves through music, so naturally, audience participation is a big part of the experience.

While her portfolio is dedicated predominantly to weddings, Jennifer Sosa's detail-centric style would lend itself nicely to any special occasion. She's also a born-and-bred New Yorker, so her knowledge of the city comes in handy when it comes to location-scouting.

Jason Murakawa is the guy you contact if you want your tables set with Havilland porcelain, antique sterling silver flatware, and circa 1860 crystal goblets. Small Masterpiece can also provide table settings for your party in New York City. Photo credit: Styled by Bellafare, shot by Heather Waraksa.

Corrin Arasa's collection of vintage couches, chairs, rugs, and tables is so vast that it lives in a 5,000-square-foot warehouse in Brooklyn (open to visitors by appointment only). And it's not all large-scale furniture either—take a peek at the miles-long roster of smaller rentable props like lamps, baskets, floor pillows, and surfboards.

With and adorable shop and more than a decade's worth of experience crafting extraordinary, seasonal bouquets, Denise Porcaro kind of spearheaded the boutique floral movement in NYC. She's also responsible for the recent resurgence of flower crowns, which make for sweet bridal shower and birthday party additions.

Though Mr. Boddigton's one-of-a-kind creations are the stuff of legend, they've put custom services on hold for a while. Luckily, the collection of pre-designed invitations, place cards, thank you notes, and more is plenty to tide you over.

Hannah Thomson isn't so much an event photographer as a portrait master. Her expertise is really in capturing people—candid, posed, and everything in between.

The reason why Charlotte Neuville is dubbed the Fashion Chef is because she spent close to three decades in the biz (she was pretty high up at Gap Inc.) before leaving it all behind to bake couture cakes full-time. But it seems the industry refuses to let her go; she's been asked to design cakes for everyone from Alber Elbaz to Barneys.

Run by art director and designer Lisa Hedge, Venamour's dreamy wedding stationery suites are broken down into three floral-themed collections: botanical, wildflower, and viridian. Each one is even more beautiful than the last.

You've probably seen People's Pops all over the city (they regularly set up shop at the High Line and Brooklyn Flea), and if you haven't tried their real-fruit pops or shave ice, you really should. For special events, they do custom flavors and fancy champagne-popsicle cocktails.

Stefanie Cove is the mastermind behind some of the most memorable goop events (our dinner with Net-a-Porter and last year’s celebration with Diane von Furstenberg), not to mention a goop staffer's wedding. As the owner and creative director of NYC/LA-based Stefanie Cove and Company, she really is the very best planner around, with a deep rolodex of amazing vendors.

Mimi Brown's background is in fashion (she had a stint at Zac Posen before transitioning back to her floral business), and it shows. Her bouquets are discerningly elegant—never over-designed or fussy, kind of like you did the floral arrangements yourself...but better.

These guys specialize in the kind of techy stuff (lighting and audio visual design) that would make the average person's head spin. Coincidentally, it's the behind-the-scenes stuff that has the power to make or break a special event, and they nail it every time.

Sure you can have a fantastic gathering without the services of Jacqueline Suskin and her old-timey typewriter, but why would you want to? She can set up her Poem Store virtually anywhere and will tap out beautiful, one-of-a-kind poems for guests right on the spot.

Magbooth is kind of like the people's photo booth: Take your pick of prop and custom logos and never worry about going over some preset picture limit. The best part, though, is that ever rental includes an attendant, which significantly minimizes mid-party technical difficulties.

With a long list of corporate and private clients, Mindy Weiss and her team take care of absolutely every detail. What sets Mindy Weiss apart is her great eye for fun and unusual decorations that manage to always fit the theme just right in a contemporary way. Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, luncheons, and corporate parties are all part of her trick bag.

Jonathan Wright offers beautiful 19th century-esque engraved style stationery and custom letterpress for those who value the power of a written note. They're great with everything from a basic thank you card to ornate wedding invitations.

There are many reasons why we love Annie Campbell, not the least of which is her understanding that good passed apps have to be bite-sized. Her food is consistently delicious and presented in a reliably creative, beautiful way—so pretty, in fact, you don't need much else in the way of decorations.

For kiddie birthdays, Venice Beach-based Fire and Creme’s party boxes are nothing short of life changing. Choose from tableware, decoration, and goodie bag boxes (or just pick up all three and save yourself a headache), all of which fit a certain theme—Cowboy Wanted, Gone Surfing, and Party Like a Gypsy are standouts. For extra brownie points with the littles, check out the dress-up section.

Since 1998, Michele Gan has been catering for crowds of up to 1,000—all with organic, locally sourced food. They offer a host of other services like service staffing, floral arrangements, and other design and décor arrangements for events, though catering is their primary art.

Max Wanger is well known for his soft, minimalist style (best showcased by his instantly recognizable overhead shots), a sensibility shared by all the creatives who work for his booming business. All the photographers under his umbrella share a beautiful, editorialized aesthetic, so it really doesn’t matter if you can't book Max himself.

Bonnie Tsang is one of the most sought-after event photographers in town, thanks to an excellent reputation for honing in on the most joyous, memorable moments and capturing them in a way that's natural and stylized all at the same time.

Lara Porzak is a real-deal fine art photographer who just happens to pick up a limited amount of events per year, just for the fun of it–though tons of big names have hired her to do snap their weddings. She shoots real film—almost unheard of these days—and develops her predominantly black-and-white prints by hand.

With her little cart in tow, Cloe Lane spins fresh cotton candy you can enjoy in peace knowing only organic cane sugar, plant-based colors, and all-natural flavors were used. Speaking of flavors: horchata, chai tea, and salted caramel are just a few of the standouts.

Stefanie Cove is the mastermind behind some of the most memorable goop events (our dinner with Net-a-Porter and last year’s celebration with Diane von Furstenberg), not to mention a goop staffer's wedding. As the owner and creative director of NYC/LA-based Stefanie Cove and Company, she really is the very best planner around, with a deep rolodex of amazing vendors.

Sure you can have a fantastic gathering without the services of Jacqueline Suskin and her old-timey typewriter, but why would you want to? She can set up her Poem Store virtually anywhere and will tap out beautiful, one-of-a-kind poems for guests right on the spot.

What's special about Gypset is that most design elements (their outdoor structures and lighting compositions are mind-blowing) are produced in-house, so you're pretty much guaranteed a 100% unique experience. Their sweet spot is elaborate large-scale events.

When you think chocolate-dipped bananas, you probably think kids. But consider this: Hannah's bananas, which she serves out of a tricked-out vintage trailer or a cute push-cart, are gourmet—dipped and sprinkled with customizable toppings on the spot for each guest. That's something everyone can get behind.

The team at Whoa Nelly (the two co-founders/chefs cut their teeth at AOC before striking out on their own) believes that what makes an event menu special–whether it's buffet-style, small bites, or family style–are the ingredients. Here, produce is sourced exclusively from local farmers and proteins are all sustainable, all the time.

When it comes to non-cake celebratory desserts, donuts have long since eclipsed the cupcake. As evidenced by an ever-present line, the ones at California Donuts are some of fluffiest and freshest in town. The shop is open 24/7, but you have to call ahead to order their signature donut letters.

No matter the size of the gathering, Hungry Bear masters really delicious food in perfectly timed courses. Best of all, there's nothing unpredictable or overly fussy about the menu options, so guests aren't left deciphering what's on their plates.

Formerly known as Jamaica Cakes, this unassuming little bakery on Pico cranks out some of the most jaw-droppingly elaborate, Food Network-worthy cakes we've ever seen. While not quite as festive as the multi-tiered creations, the cookies, pies, and cupcakes are just as delicious.

This all-female Mariachi band is the real deal, and they've got two Grammys and legions of fans to prove it. Book well in advance.

This is a real-deal jazz band who can get people on the dance floor and then keep them there. Two of the founding members are the guys behind Dart DJ, so expect to hear some pop mashups with the classic stuff—like takes on Neil Young, Daft Punk, and David Bowie.

While bluegrass is their claim to fame, this trio's repertoire is pretty far-reaching. They'll perform in any number of styles—from jazz to classical to country—to suit any occasion.

Brothers Daniel and David Landau have a sweet, folksy sound (their instruments of choice are cello, guitar, and voice) that brings an intimate ambiance to picnics, birthday parties, weddings, and any other occasion. They’re known for their coffeehouse-style covers of everything from 80s classics to rock, pop, and jazz standards. They also expand to a trio or quartet as needed.

Tiny Pine Press isn't actually all that tiny: They've been in the business of classic, handmade letterpress goods for over a decade. While it's often our go-to for custom menus, invites, and place cards, their repertoire also includes calling cards, personalized stationery, and branding materials.

Magbooth is kind of like the people's photo booth: Take your pick of props and custom logos, and never worry about going over some preset picture limit. The best part: every rental comes with an attendant, which significantly minimizes mid-party technical difficulties.

When generic folding tables and chairs simply won't do, Jeni Maus's impressive archive of everything from distressed-wood seating, to tufted couches, to vintage trunks is clutch. Each piece is hand-sourced by Maus herself and can be rented à la carte or as a pre-styled vignette—rugs, pillows, vases, and all.

Casa de Perrin is the brainchild of Josh and Diana Perrin, who've lovingly compiled a miles-long catalog of pretty exceptional vintage china, cutlery, and glassware. Their table settings are unabashedly romantic, though there are plenty of more subdued options thrown in for casual celebrations.

The focus at Kerri Ellis Davis and Margretta Hill Wikert's Highland Park Village shop is custom monograms, which they can apply to all the obvious stuff (invitations, linens, coasters) as well as the not-so-obvious (leather coolers, dining chairs).

Three Branches is operated by two sisters, so it's safe to say floral design is literally in their blood. There's purity to their bouquets and centerpieces as they often stick to monochromatic palettes and no more than a few types of blooms per arrangement.

Much like its restaurant, Mi Cocina catering specializes in traditional, elevated, incredibly tasty Tex Mex food. Thankfully, whether you go for passed appetizers or a complete sit-down dinner, it can (and should) be accompanied by the killer margaritas.

Bubbly, hilarious, and well-versed in the music that gets people out of their chairs and onto the dance floor, Lucy Wrubel is a bona fide Dallas celebrity. She spins at all manner of events, from big fashion parties (she killed it at the goop shop opening party) to private events and even offers "musical wallpaper" services for restaurants and shops.

This is the kind of old-school, full-service catering business that puts the same amount of effort into a basic breakfast buffet as they do an all-out holiday dinner. But Alberto Lombardi and his wife Vivian don't just stop at food: Their staff will gladly set up, serve, and then clean up any event, big or small.

Unlike many other stationers, Jill Efrussy Sour doesn't make her clients choose from pre-designed templates. Instead, she starts them off with a detailed questionnaire to help figure out a 100% custom motif to best suits their sensibility.

While his business runs the gamut from backyard BBQs to formal dinners, Chef Chris Patrick really excels at in-home catering for clients hosting formal events. Patrick's menus are incredibly creative (don't skip dessert).

We've sung the Joule's praises for its nice rooms and fantastic restaurants, so it's really no surprise their catering department (they'll tweak the existing CBD Provisions menu to your liking or simply start from scratch) and event spaces are great as well. Oh, and they cater off-site parties, too.

Steve Wrubel—husband to DJ extraordinaire Lucy Wrubel—is by no means a minimalist. No matter the subject matter (though big celebrations are his forte) the resulting photos are sure to be full of life and color.

While you can order Fluff Pop ahead of time, the best way to incorporate the made-for-grown-ups cotton candy into an event is to have it spun for your guests on-site. People go crazy for the flavors (guava, lychee, cotton candy).

Everything is bigger in Texas, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Dallas' foremost event planner wholeheartedly subscribes to that philosophy. Todd's events are lavish and glamorous in the best way, and there's no challenge he won't take on. Looking for a water feature with live performers? On it. 400 square foot ómbre flower wall? Consider it done. They recently joined forces with Suite 206 Luxury Event Rentals, too, who has one of the most comprehensive rental libraries we've ever seen.

Nicole is a great classic calligrapher. You can select from a number of different styles, and while she's based in Dallas, she takes orders from across the country. And yes, she really is left-handed.

These guys definitely rule when it comes to super-fancy, high-end catering (not everyone in town has served meals to both Presidents Obama and Bush). But it's about more than the food for Cassandra—clients rave about the impeccable service and reliability.

Jordan Kahn Music Company is like a traditional wedding band on steroids. All five members have years of experience, so their renditions of all the party staples (Boogie Shoes, Shout, Rebel Yell) sound just as good as the real thing.

With four full-time planners on staff, LK offers some serious resources to put behind large-scale events like galas and corporate shindigs. They’ve been working in Chicago for ages, meaning that you can reap the benefits of their long-term relationships with all of the best vendors in town.

The founder of Brix Catering was a sommelier before he broke off to start his own catering business, which means the bar and the wine pairings here can always hold their own against the well-crafted menus. Scale wise, they'll do everything from a few charcuterie plates to a multi-course, formal dining experience. If your event doesn't call for staffed catering, you can pick up one of their "Brix boxes" a day in advance and throw everything in the oven before your guests arrive (we’ve heard that their Thanksgiving boxes can rival even the best home-made spreads).

Becky Hill is really good at taking photos of camera-shy people. If you’re the kind of person who might cock your head in the most unflattering direction right when the shutter starts, she’ll kindly and gently steer you in the right direction.

Brett and Kiri are an adorable married couple with a great eye, and they can do pretty much anything; a quick review of their weddings shows urban shots for an art-obsessed couple and black-and-white portraits for an elegant city wedding. We should also note that these two are especially talented at photographing pets.

It's no surprise that we're excited about DJ Megan Taylor, who's quickly making a name for herself as one of Chicago's best DJ's in what has traditionally been a very male-dominated space. Ask for her Backstreet Boys and N’SYNC remixes (seriously, trust us on this one).

With a large team of talented photographers in their quiver, Gerber + Scarpelli are seasoned pros. Their photographers all have a lot of experience, which means they know how to capture an event without getting in the way—you'll also be grateful for the reliably fast turnaround times.

DJ Jem is extremely sought-after on the Chicago nightclub circuit (this is the guy that opened for Calvin Harris when he was in Chicago), but despite all of his success, you can trust him to adapt his set to your event.

For the kind of event where your guests leave with hoarse voices from belting it out all night, bring in the Gold Coast All Stars. An insanely energetic 12-piece band that covers all of the classics, they are the ultimate big party band. Expect their singers to be down on the floor dancing with the crowd.

With a signature preppy style, the team at Nico and Lala does more than design invitations—they'll create an entire brand around an event. Our favorite is a construction-themed kids party (tagline: can you dig it?).

In addition to invitations, Magnificent Milestones produces great event accessories like matchbooks, napkins, custom stamps, and toothpick flags, helpful if you're trying to stick to a consistent theme. Unrelated but good to know: They make beautiful custom holiday cards.

Housed in an adorable stationery boutique, the team at Elizabeth Grace will handle the entire invitation process for you, from design, to calligraphy, to actually popping everything in the mail.

If you tend to get wires crossed and dates confused (or if you're just busy), Katie Jackson-Meara is probably your dream event planner. Veteran clients gush that her detailed itineraries plan everything out to the minute. She's also a stylist, which is clutch for brides who need a neutral opinion on dresses, hair, and makeup leading up to the big day.

With a client list that includes Chanel, Prada, and Louis Vuitton, you can be sure that Truffleberry Market (now merged with Paramount Cantering) has been properly vetted. Their events are known for adventurous menus and presentation, with dishes like mini lobster corn dogs, cucumber sandwiches wrapped in a delicate bow, and goat cheese cones. The team here is always up for a challenge, making them a great option if you have an ambitious theme.

This is an invaluable, freakishly user-friendly food truck tracking and booking tool that services the bulk of major U.S. cities. If you're in SoCal, consider Dogtown Dogs, Kogi Truck, and Urban Oven—we've had great experiences with all three. (More food truck inspo, here)

Anne Robin has been doing calligraphy for most of her life, and it shows. She'll gladly churn out traditional scripts, be it for invitations, place cards, or monograms, but her true talent lies in designing unique, modern styles you won't find anywhere else.

Minted came up with a fool-proof system for making sure clients get exactly what they want—and it all starts with a rich assortment of save-the-dates, menu cards, invites and so much more, all pre-designed by an artist. (They also do fully custom stationery and invites.) Once you've picked something you like, you can tweak it to perfection. And don't skip over the Art Marketplace, it's hands down one of the best places online for affordable art.

This online service essentially functions as a virtual party planner (or a search engine for handymen, tutors, accountants, etc.). You submit a request for say, a Washington-based magician, and wait for available pros to respond with quotes and details. Once you're ready to pull the trigger, you can book directly through the site or app.

Whether it’s a wedding, luncheon, anniversary, or kid’s birthday, this is a truly priceless resource if you’re looking to host somewhere other than at home.

For kiddie birthdays, Venice Beach-based Fire and Creme’s party boxes are nothing short of life changing. Choose from tableware, decoration, and goodie bag boxes (or just pick up all three and save yourself a headache), all of which fit a certain theme—Cowboy Wanted, Gone Surfing, and Party Like a Gypsy are standouts. For extra brownie points with the littles, check out the dress-up section.

These are not your average party-store fare. Geronimo mastermind Jihan Zencirli’s creations come in a rainbow of balloon-and-frill combos and are so massive they require as much helium as 30 standard balloons. She'll gladly accommodate special requests if you don't see what you want in her online shop.

Disposable party supplies are meant to make life easier, but more often than not, finding ones that aren't hideous is hard. Elliewood's themed Party Packs (which can accommodate up to 40 guests) and Parties-in-a-Box aren't just beautiful, they're practical, too: every element from cups, to plates, to decorative accessories is accounted for. For procrastinators, there’s a two-day shipping option.

Pictures don’t really do Scott's marquees justice: Most are made from up-cycled materials and can be shipped everywhere. Not only does he have pre-made and rentable options, he’ll custom build logos, lettering, signage, and more.

Sure, photo booths have become regular party staples, but these guys figured out a way to elevate the experience by way of bigger, glossier formats, GIF-making capabilities, blacklight booths, and custom backgrounds and props. Headquarters are in NYC but they can easily accommodate more far-flung locations.

This is a one stop shop for browsing and booking all sorts of live entertainers—from musicians to DJs to toastmasters. What's more, they provide client reviews and sample contracts to simply the process.

With warehouses all over the country, Classic is a no-frills—but consistently reliable—rental resource that specializes in the basics: tables, chairs, tents, lighting, and linens. They've been at it for 30 years, so their customer-service game is on point.

We love Paperless Post. So much so, that we collaborated on a bunch of limited edition cards a few years back. Since then, they've teamed up with the likes of Oscar de la Renta, Kelly Wearstler, and goop pal, Derek Blasberg on tons of digital and physical invitations (many free options, too!). They also do brisk business with birthday cards and personal stationery.

Founded by a bridal magazine editor who brought a big fat Rolodex, The Bridal Bar is like a virtual concierge for wedding planning specializing in the Los Angeles and San Diego Areas. They vet vendors in every category, going way beyond photographers and wedding planners—you can come to them for bachelorette party suggestions, honeymoon ideas, and cinematographers. The best part? It's completely free. Photo credit: Docuvitae