The Charles Street Inn
Some people think B&Bs exist only in the country. This nine-room Beacon Hill inn proves otherwise. Its antique furniture, fireplaces, and four-poster beds impart old-world class, while DSL Internet, cable television, and whirlpool tubs offer modern comforts. Tall, narrow doors heighten the charm of the cavernous rooms, named after local luminaries like Louisa May Alcott and Oliver Wendell Holmes. 94 Charles St., Boston, MA .
Gary Croteau, Salon Mario Russo
"Do you want to stand out from the crowd or do you want to blend in?" asks Croteau. But don't fret that Croteau will cut your locks into an impossible-to-recreate 'do. His M.O. is all about keeping hair fresh, modern, and manageable. And for those who prefer a one-stop shopping experience, he's equally adept at color. Louis Boston, 234 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA mariorusso.com.
Pageo
The right necklace makes an outfit. No one knows this better than the staff at Pagéo, who navigate display cases of diverse, modern pieces, from magnificent gold necklaces dripping with colorful gems to lustworthy diamond pendants and delicate platinum drop earrings. It's enough to drive even the most directed buyer to distraction. But the knowledgeable personnel will help you focus. 843 Beacon St., Newton Centre, MA pageo.com.
Gretta Luxe
Time was when Wellesley only meant straight and preppy. Well, no longer—thanks in no small part to this new boutique. Gretta Luxe carries an eclectic mix of international designers, from the clean, modern likes of Samsonite and Strenesse to more fashion-forward styles from Nanette Leopre and Ulla Johnson. There's a jeans bar stocked with denim from Earl Jean, Parasuco, C by Chloé, and Jean Paul Gaultier. And the shoe selection, including must-have models by Robert Clergerie, rivals any you'll find in the city. 94 Central St., Wellesley, MA grettastyle.com.
Kings Lanes
Kings is the ultimate crossroads for the 16-pound ball and the 16-ounce Bud. Though it has a vintage, Vegas-style veneer, the subterranean entertainment complex is decidedly modern, with high-tech scorekeeping machines and a phalanx of high-def TVs. Though the crowds of stylish professionals and grad students can mean long lines for pool tables and lanes, they also make for a buzzing scene. Don't despair if faced with an hourlong wait: Just order a martini and content yourself with people-watching. This is an equally prime location to watch or play. 50 Dalton St., Boston, MA 2115, kingsbowlamerica.com.
Maxime Salon
Owner Ronit Enos and her team of cheerful stylists take hair very, very seriously. Our initial consultation started off like a therapy session ("Is that what makes you unhappy about your hair?') and ended with an extreme makeover. We walked out of Enos's sleek, modern salon with our locks shiny and our confidence restored. 1 Derby St., Hingham, MA 2043, maximesalon.com.
The Potted Geranium
Enthusiasts of eclectic home decoration adore the Potted Geranium, a cluttered catch-all craft and home accessories store. Need something to offset your dining room's midcentury modernity? Pick up a locally designed Mariposa aluminum bowl. Or maybe a hand-woven Kennebunk & Churchill throw. The constantly evolving jumble of merchandis—old and new, understated and bold—means you never know what you'll find, or find you suddenly can't live without. 188 Main St. (Rte. 28), West Harwich, MA 2671, pottedgeranium.com.
Skinner
Collectors know that the best way to score something both reasonably priced and unusual is to skip the boutiques and go a-paddling at Skinner. The company’s many themed auctions (Persian rugs, art, rare books, midcentury modern) allow buyers to bid on everything from nearly priceless works of art to common Victorian armoires. Hunters without a specific agenda should attend Skinner’s eclectic Discovery Auctions, held every month at the Marlborough location. 63 Park Plaza, Boston; and 274 Cedar Hill St., Marlborough, skinnerinc.com.
Vera Wang
Envisioning the perfect wedding-day attire is one thing — actually finding it is another. Enter Vera Wang's sleek Newbury Street location, which showcases a variety of the designer's impeccably crafted gowns organized smartly by material, style, and color. Whether you're imagining an ethereal ball gown, a demure lace number, or a sculptural modern masterpiece, you're sure to find it here. 73 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Lindsay Griffin
Attention preppy brides, retro brides, downtown brides, and every bride in between: The special-event stylist Lindsay Griffin has the updo for your "I do"s. An alum of North End and Newbury Street salons, Griffin specializes in natural, modern looks that are polished but never fussy. Schedule a trial at the sparkling 800-square-foot space Griffin opened in Somerville's Ball Square earlier this year. 106 Bristol Rd., Somerville, MA lindsaygriffin.com.
Dress
Blessed with great taste and strong buying instincts, co-owners Martha Hilfinger and Jane Schlueter have stocked their airy 900-square-foot Back Bay boutique with work-to-play separates and delicious dresses from modern favorites (3.1 Phillip Lim, Vena Cava, Vanessa Bruno) and exclusive up-and-comers (Lyell, Lofli denim). The shopping experience is a joy; if you've left your best friend at home, one of the chatty girls here will be happy to dish out reliable opinions on her behalf. 221 Newbury St., Boston, MA dressboston.com.
The Old Inn on the Green
This renovated B-and-B began as an 18th-century stagecoach stop, and to this day there are no electric lights in the dining rooms—only a sea of candles and an open hearth. The food, however, is indisputably modern. Chef Peter Platt's credentials have nearly surpassed those of his early mentors, Lydia Shire and Jasper White, and his decadent handiwork—foie gras flan, squid-ink risotto, braised short ribs with truffled mashed potatoes—is history-making itself. 134 Hartsville/New Marlborough Rd., New Marlborough, MA oldinn.com.
Italian Design
Outshining the competition is serious business at Italian Design, where high-wattage style emanates from futuristic floor lamps, funky ceiling fixtures, and warm, colorful bedside sconces. Everything on display is a modern work of art. Don't fret if you're unfamiliar with lighting science; the knowledgeable staff can help you with projects of all sizes. 82 Boylston St., Brookline, MA italian-design.net.
Akris
If we had a sequin for every clothing company that claims to marry modern style with timelessness, we'd have ourselves a full-on Oscars dress. Enter Akris, which actually fulfills the promise. Season after season, this neat-as-a-pin Swiss boutique rolls out elegant suits and superbly cut evening dresses that balance impeccability with creativity, are coveted by style-conscious maidens and matrons alike, and walk the line between minimalist and edgy with knowing swagger. 16 Newbury St., Boston, MA akris.ch/en.
Alpha Omega Fine Jewelry and Watches
Decide to update from your Timex Indigo or last year's candy-colored Swatch? Alpha Omega has watches for people who have arrived (on time, of course). No need to settle for cliché—even Rolex offers a modern classic, the Cellini line, as well as the venerable Oyster. Each maker seems to display a singular character along with the hour: genteel Baume & Mercier, brazen Bulgari, obsessive Tissot, and precious Ulysse Nardin. 57 JFK St., Cambridge, MA .