She's Leaving Home
Poetry, performance art, and Brazilian food (what else?) upstairs, next-wave music below. When it happens, it happens. 80 Kilmarnock St., Boston, MA .
Chuck Bass, Patrice Vinci Salon
Why do we love Chuck Bass? Let us count the reasons. For one, he comes in as early as 6 a.m. to accommodate busy schedules. Two, he works quickly and quietly. Most important, his talent for creating gorgeous textural haircuts — including on curly hair — is unmatched, having honed his craft throughout Boston and New York City. Whether you’re looking for a big makeover or a subtle upgrade to your signature style, you’ll always leave his chair happy. 91 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, chuckbass.com.
MKS Design
A former pastry chef, MKS Design owner Adam Simha deftly marries form and function with his steely treasures, crafted from scratch for novice home cooks and local celebrity chefs like Jody Adams. Just tell him your culinary aspirations and material preferences, and he’ll deliver your one-of-a-kind gyuto, petty, boning, steak, or cimeter knives in six to eight months. mksknife.com.
Coast Guard Beach
Thoreau once walked the 40 miles of the Cape's pristine eastern coast and wrote a whole book on the experience. JFK, also a fan, ensured that the shoreline and its marshes, freshwater ponds, and lighthouses were preserved for future generations. On the southern end of the protected strip sits Coast Guard Beach. With its rolling dunes and ever-shifting conditions—roaring one day, serene the next—it's a breathtaking place to stroll, lounge, picnic, or surf. Doane Road, Eastham, MA 2642, .
Frette
With a lot of things having gone "poof" lately, it's good to have something tangible to hold on to—and even better if that something comes in high-thread-count Egyptian cotton, baby-soft cashmere, or even lamb nappa. Admittedly, the four-figure price tag on a sheet set from Milan-based Frette, that luxest-of-the-luxe bedding specialist that arrived on Boylston Street last year, might make one blanch, but the overall aesthetic of these wares is surprisingly restrained; the quality, downright uncompromising. In a time when most folks just want to go back to bed and pull the covers over their heads, the covers might as well feel this good. 776B Boylston St., Boston, MA 2199, frette.com.
LexRx
A professional-grade facial is more accessible and convenient than ever thanks to the pros at Beacon Hill’s LexRx. Its new Lex Refine + Peel treatment, which promises to exfoliate, brighten, and cleanse, starts with a personalized phone or video consultation, during which a nurse practitioner will pinpoint your skin type and coach you through the application process from the comfort of your home. It’s an effortless way to get that post-quarantine glow—and it’ll set you back just $45. 121 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, lexrx.co.
Atul Gawande
If you were going to pick one person to fix the hellscape that is the American medical system, this surgeon, professor, and writer is probably the guy. Tapped by Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. last year to head a revolutionary healthcare venture called Haven, he’s searching for ways to do more for less—like, say, relying on tried-and-true (and cheaper) meds instead of the shiniest thing on the market—to pull healthcare out of its spiral. atulgawande.com.
La Petite Maison
Not the scented-soap type? You'll still find yourself coveting the goods in this thrice-expanded shop. With Yves Delorme towels, Le Jacquard Français tablecloths, and more, La Petite Maison is a breath of French air in preppy New England. 142 North St., Hingham, MA 2043, lapetitemaison.us.
Goodwin's High End
Whether you're after an MTV Cribs-worthy home movie theater, a multiroom system that lets you watch in your bedroom and bath, or a 7.1-channel surround-sound setup, the audiophiles here will help you find it. Aesthetics are also a consideration: Avalon speakers come in a range of veneers, and if you desire installation services, Goodwin's will collaborate with your architect. 899 Main St., Waltham, MA 2451, goodwinshighend.com.
Hudson
Jill Goldberg's four-year-old shop perfectly captures the new Boston aesthetic: a charming balance of country chic (whitewashed woods, salvaged signs), old-money signifiers (vintage French settees), and a touch of modern chrome. Few homeowners can nail the upscale-casual look without a pro's help—Goldberg offers styling services, too—but a couple of well-placed items from Hudson are an excellent start. 12 Union Park St., Boston, MA 2118, hudsonboston.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 koodekir.com.
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.