13 Shopping Days Left: Portobello Road


1197475165Facing the holidays with the perfect dress, hostess gift, and bag of goodies just became effortless. Portobello Road, a new store in Chestnut Hill opened by best friends Kristina Lyons and Marina Kalb, is a modern day multi-cultural bazaar filled with jewelry, home accessories, furniture, and clothing from around the world. It’s a serendipitous mix of style and substance. They like to call it “a store with a soul.”


Hand crafted women’s wear by Odd Molly has a Piccadilly meets Delphi vibe in crewel embroidered tunics and crest appliqued wool jackets. Designer Chan Luu melds dupioni silk, tulle, cashmere and velvet into wrap dresses, shimmering sheaths, and delicate tops in soothing tones of gun metal to plum. On our wish list: a buttery cream leather jacket by Ba&sh from Paris to wear over a silkscreened Geisha tee from Oligo Tissew.

For others, Sonia Spencer’s James Bond inspired cuff links make a cheeky gift. The Royal Blend vetiver and grapefruit candles come boxed with a wearable tiara brooch. The Ibide trays from France or a specialty knife collection from Claude Dozorme Laguiole are understated and elegant. All these fun finds are tucked amongst Southeast Asian furniture and fixtures from Cambridge-based Mohr and McPherson.

1197475221The store is a personal reflection of the duo’s collective experiences: working in film, working as moms, managing action packed social lives (Kristina is wife of restaurateur Patrick). Right now, the store is temporary, but Lyons and Kalb hope to extend the lease upon its end in January, but we don’t advise taking the risk.

–J. Sybylla Smith

Route 9, 47 Boylston St. (next to Legal Seafoods), Chestnut Hill, 617 -264-2020

PHOTO BY Sarah Philbrick