Mix
It used to be that there were two things you couldn't avoid, no matter how hard you tried, while shopping on the island: James Taylor and antiques. That was before Emily Milstein opened Mix. Her funky corner shop eschews stately china in favor of throwback salt and pepper shakers, salvaged photography equipment, and vintage jewelry pulled from Milstein's countrywide searches. Newer items include bright, oval-shaped Mud Australia dishes and 1960s-inspired Bloom nylon or mesh handbags. So that takes care of one stuffy staple (and, hey, James ain't so bad anyway). 65 Main St., Vineyard Haven, MA 2568, .
The Gifted Hand
You could go to Pottery Barn. Or you could go to the Gifted Hand and—gasp!—buy something original. This well-lit Wellesley gallery sells handmade ceramic bowls, contemporary blown-glass vases, and hand-woven chenille throws that you won't find anywhere on the mass market. Pick up a vibrant tiled mirror, antique gold compass, or engraved wooden picture frame and add some unhomogenized touches to your home. 32 Church St., Wellesley, MA 2482, giftedhand.com.
Dianthus
What has a white picket fence, country charm, and more classic décor than a Vermont B&B? If you answered 'heaven,' you'll adore Dianthus. Chockablock with delicate linens, Shaker furniture, handmade rugs, intricate quilts, and a made-to-order selection of country-style curtains, this quaint shop is a trove of accents perfect for dressing up rooms in the trappings of classic New England. 130 Camelot Dr., Plymouth, MA 2360, dianthusltd.com.
Koo de Kir
It doesn't take a very discerning eye to look at Sarah Cihat's reglazed vintage plates and know that they are cool. Knowing whether they'll look good on your dining room table paired with a particular Michael Aram eucalyptus-branch candlestick—now, that requires talent. Koo de Kir's straight-out-of-a-Dwell-spread salesclerks take the intimidation out of mod design with their friendly, helpful hints and advice, letting shoppers spice up their abodes with confidence. 65 Chestnut St., Boston, MA 2108, koodekir.com.
Systems Design & Integration
Ever come across a new gadget so handy, you wonder how you ever made do without it? That’s how we feel each time we dig into the work of these Needham-based pros, who specialize in all the things that make life at home just a little bit easier: smartphone-controlled lighting and heating, audio distribution systems to fill your space with music, security cameras to make sure you always feel safe, and other essentials. 33 Highland Ave., Needham, MA 02494, sdiboston.com.
Straight Law
Generally, a top-notch cocktail bar attempts to cover all the angles in the wider spirits world. But there's something to be said for homing in on a smaller niche and perfecting it, and that's the case at Straight Law, the year-old offshoot of longstanding Spanish restaurant Taberna de Haro. Here, bar manager Sean Sullivan focuses on sherry and gin—appropriate, considering those are the sole ingredients of the refined, elegant cocktail from which Straight Law takes its name. 999 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 02446, tabernaboston.com.
Wine Gallery
This standout vino peddler has always put up a broad range of bottles and good advice. But the wine jukebox—a nifty contraption that doles out samples for free—at its Brookline location has officially taken the mystery out of wine selection by making the whole process as easy as taking a sip and seeing for yourself. If further guidance is required, both shops boast well-educated clerks and intelligent tasting cards. Best of all, the markups are low and the discounts high, something that's sure to please, no matter your taste. 375 Boylston St., Brookline, MA wine-gallery.com.
Leslie-Jon A. Vickory
A former project manager for a design-build company, Vickory is at home with interior architectur—she creates whole kitchens (from windows to molding to lighting) rather than plunking cabinetry willy-nilly into a room. Because her work is carefully considered and integrated, she avoids major kitchen no-nos like the overdominant refrigerator and the dinky pendant light. Vickory doesn't have a set style, but classic or modern, her designs are always delicious.
Elburne
With one location already flourishing on Cape Cod, sisters Lauren and Simone Pereira established their second home-décor shop in Hanover’s new Merchant’s Row shopping plaza late last year. It’s not easy to shut your doors so soon after opening them, but online ordering and Instagram teaser shots of Elburne’s ethically sourced furniture, rugs, and artwork kept shoppers engaged through the shutdown. The doors are open once again, but the siblings are still offering curbside pickup to make scoring the perfect pick-me-up even easier. 2053 Washington St., Hanover, MA 02339, elburne.com.
Koo de Kir
This gem of a store's Charles Street window is always so artfully filled with brightly colored home furnishings and accessories that passing by without stopping in is nearly impossible. If you're looking for the perfect lamp, chair, or vase, you'll find it here, along with accouterments you may not have considered—beautifully molded candles and gorgeous pillows, for example. With brands including Francesco Rota for Paola Lenti and Reidel, the home selection here is as cutting edge as it gets this side of Paris. 34 Charles St., Boston, MA koodekir.com.
Yates and Kennedy
Provincetown is a rather long way to travel for ultrahip vintage and modern accessories, but Yates and Kennedy is a true destination for the antler-hunting, owl-coveting, woodblock-pillow-desiring crowd. Bonus: After working up a shopper's sweat in the delightful store, you can skip down to the beach for an ocean dip. 368 Commercial St., Provincetown, MA 2657, .
Twelve Chairs
Miggy Mason and Roisin Giese founded their home design store with a clear objective: Whenever possible, collect items that are made locally and sustainably. In their lofty space, the duo has created an urban dreamland that's equal parts industrial, romantic, and ethical. 319 A St., Boston, MA 2210, twelvechairsboston.com.
Acquire
There's nary an item over $100 inside Nikki Dalrymple's ode to cool dcor. Choose from goodies like Trina Turk needlepoint pillows ($55 apiece), vintage cordial glassware sets (around $40), and globes printed with 18th-century maps, which at less than $30 each, prove great design doesn't require stratospheric spending. 61 Salem St., Boston, MA 2113, acquireboutique.com.
William K. Millar Associates
Prepare detailed written reports along with certificates of inspection. Very thorough and thoughtful. 26 Main St. (P.O. Box 613), Concord, MA .
Diseño
As home store after home store opened this year, we wondered, Do we have enough space for all this stuff? If it comes from Diseño, we'll make the room. A trip back to his home in Buenos Aires usually yields owner Frank Campanale yet another South American showpiece to sell alongside the finely detailed leather furniture, artisan-crafted pillows, cowhide rugs, and creamy alpaca throws in this handsome South End shop. Diseño also doubles as a shopper's hangout, where the coffee is strong and Latin music videos stream throughout the day. 409 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 2118, disenobos.com.