favorite haunts,...

apotheca, in g-town, nh:

 

love the name... deriving from the greek-- "storehouse" this local stop in goffstown is soooo sweet! the owner, alyssa, is super creative, warm, and has an incredible eye. it's the kind of shoppe where you can pull up a cozy vintage chair, grab a latte (my choice) lovingly prepared by corey, the super friendly barista/decorator, enjoy a yummy baked good, or a healthy yet scrumptious wrap sandwich courtesy of jewell and the beanstalk... (another wonderful eatery and gift shop in manch) and read, surf, watch the daily comings and goings of the townsfolk, or browse, browse, browse.   alyssa, is usually there arranging her freshly bought flowers from the boston flower exchange. her designs are up there with the best of the best... so unique and creative... not at all funeral-ish. take a look at the flower shoppe:

a bit of this and a bit of that ("apothic: one who prepares and dispenses drugs and medicines") can be found and bought. so,.... what's your drug of choice? alyssa has it! looking for that special card, unique home accessories (i spied a lot of roost pieces,.. note the felt birds upon the branch, as well as distinctive antique shop finds),  blik wall decals, fragrant soy candles, unique scents (quite an assortment of tokyo milk products), affordable local art work, artisan jewelry, uglydolls (aka: cute and special plush toys) a unique anything...., she's got it!

... the wedding room: she does amazing affairs-of-the-heart. how sweeeeet is that mirror? i covet!... it's not for sale:( and the amazing chartreuse wallpaper, and,................................................................................

more fab looks, ... luv the ikea pendants grouped in 3 at staggering heights, in the small cupboard to the right are some amazing select clothing, mostly unique tops either for a nite out or just to jazz up your everyday garb:

if you are ever in the vicinity, ya gotta stop in. apotheca is an enchanting, warm, and comfy spot where everybody knows your name......! (hope you can id this reference, if not, then ya missed out on one of the best comedies ever--although seinfeld ranks tops-- still... it's the only that can make me laugh out right! k, so i'm dating myself once again!)

kaza, in the capital-city of concord, nh:

love how the name just trips off the tongue,... it's slavic for a crazy upbeat tempo dance,.. hmmm trying to connect that def with the store. ok... so, the place is crazy eclectic, which is right up my alley, and is chock-full of sundry global goods (a heavy emphasis on all things francais), and lisa, the owner, is lovely, upbeat, has an amazing eye, and is especially crafty-artistic... i'm always inspired by her newest and latest productions. this month: it's all about her blue butterflies (i'd compare her aesthetic, on a small scale, to anthro):

... don't ask me how she make these, yet they are perfect d'objets for the month of april... think spring, warmer weather, flowers, butterflies,.... lisa was asked by the owners of butters (another happening concord store serving wines, cheeses and all stuff gastromique) to make a crown for their window mascot/cow and she did... viola!

as a matter of fact, lisa is the master (or is it mistress?) of window decorating...  her latest window-- is the ever-fixed "tallulah" amid an april showers' umbrella and warm-tidings' blue butterflies. the lady is lisa's creation crafted from old phone book pages (remeber the telephone book?) that she tea stained! not sure if she is for sale? i'll ask!she is routinely asked to dec-or-ate others' shoppe windows as the supreme compliment to her creative genius!

 

her ever-changing door decor.. it looks like it is made with double sided old wallpaper samples and stapled on to a wire wreath (not an easy to-do... i checked it out):

... enjoy some picts of her wares, inside. custom-made subway posters, so soft hand-knit blankets, stone candleholders,... :

... and more stuff, the eames lounger did not last long... i covet! can you believe the aqua ash tray on a stand...you don't see these babies anymore (madmen style resurfaces)... hmmm, how to repurpose?

 bab

... and more: vintage art, fresh flowers, hand-crafted local jewelry, candles, lotions and potions, and,................

....yet more: mini terrariums (again local), vintage signs, antique mirrors as well as refinished furniture pieces,...........................................................................................................................................................

and some local art-work. i love these framed fashion designs.. they'd look smashing in a feminine bedroom or dressing room

if you are in or near our capital city, make your way to kaza located in south concord. you will not be disappointed, but only greeted with a welcoming bonjour from the delightful lisa and inspired by her unique and various goods,... you will not leave empty-handed, promise!

......antiquing anywhere, but especially my summer spot kennebunkport, maine which offers adventurous combing- not to mention- breathtaking views .

on your way into the port on route nine the largest rooster heralds you to the entrance of antiques on nine for just that-- antiques from all over the planet.

you could spend lots of time outside before even venturing thru the doors... just stunning rusted garden urns, roosters, gates, weathered zinc letters, garden benches....

 inside--some of their many, many products... sideboards, consoles (luv this custom one: zinc top and gothic window arches as base) a piece de resistance in your foyer, non?

mirror mirror mirror on the wall... the fairest? too many fair ones from which to choose, however. (i use them ALOT in my interiors... a blog for another day!) the custom mirror on the left now has a home in firefly (... no clue who the erect model is. i waited/stared a bit but she did not budge; must've been a long shopping day... arggh) and the tin-framed one on the right is in a client's dining room. note the table lamps below: they specialize in rewiring old chandeliers etc and wiring just about any interesting d'object for a customized and unique lite. on nine also carries quite a line of circa lighting products (luv their quality & style):

yet more.. a beauty of a trumeau and you know i luv anything quatrefoil (this one would look fab in an outdoor space, porch or haul it inside to grace any of your rooms, maybe over your entry console, over the a traditional wood fronted fireplace, as art on a lonely wall,... the spots are endless, really!

make antiques on nine (they have no web site, can you believe? that's old-school maine for ya) part of your day at the beach. you won't leave empty handed, guaranteed! 

while in kennebunkport, head five minutes down the road to old house parts... a must see! i love a well-stocked salvage yard/barn (not to mention: the most organized, neat and tidy one i've ever seen).  the fact that everything there has been rescued from somewhere: an old home, church, hotel, or... holds special meaning to me. most times, you can even get the skinny on the item, if you care to... i do! (as a matter of fact, our foyer ceiling fixture came from the ritz in nyc... really, no lie!) 

old house parts for anything reclaimed and sustainable. fab cornices, brackets, corbels, mantles, windows, pillasters, newell posts,... the uses are endless.

of course, the best part about beach antiquing is the beach!  the best treasures are nature's own--  silvery driftwood, worn beach glass, an unbroken sand dollar-- that is to be had while simply bare-footing along the powdery sand beaches of gooserocks beach (my fave).....

 

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 .............................................................................................................. happy shopping!