Whether you’re the hostess with the mostess or the grateful guest at a wonderful house soirée, you’ll need a specialty home décor store to find a stunning set of dishes, just the right pitcher, or a gorgeous platter to give or get.
Happily, the North Shore is rife with possibility. Here are some stores that we frequent in our search for the perfect party.
Jolie Maison
This lushly romantic home store is filled with texture and color. You probably don’t realize that your bar desperately needs a Pulvermacher wooden tray, découpaged with antique fabric or wallpaper and sealed with glass ($170-540), but you will when you see one. Owner and Highland Park nativeLeslie Belesius also sells oodles of popular Vancouver artist Sid Dickens’ “Memory Blocks” ($99-150), and linen or terrycloth Anali hand towels from Italy, hand embroidered and lovely ($38). 643 Central Ave., Highland Park, 847-433-4555
Maze Home
I’m charmed by the Golden Rabbit Tinware that I received as a hostess gift, and whether you choose the large platter or the nesting bowls, the lobster or the spatterware patterns, you can’t go wrong (prices range from $10 for a salad plate to $150 for a huge stockpot). Accent your own table with the darling Harvey and Strait all-cotton placemats and napkin sets in bold colors and patterns (set of 6, $21-64). It’s not a surprise that owner Cindy Galvin is an interior designer, because this light-filled store is loaded with hostess gift possibilities and things you just have to have in your home. 735 Elm St., Winnetka, 847-441-1115
Paramour Bungalow
Co-owned by Jason Hall and David Kafer (who also own Red 7 Salon next door), this adorable and delightfully quirky store revels in retro designs and handmade wares. Pop a cork for BottleHood’s repurposed wine bottles, now finding second life in the perfect glassware for your table (2 sizes, 4 colors, $10 each). Hand-glazed, brightly colored ceramic bowls and two-tiered platters from Vitreous Wares ($30–160) will provide the fun your table might be missing, and the all-organic, screen-printed Cotton Revival napkins ($37.50 for set of 4) with uber-cool graphic patterns complete the picture. 812 Dempster St., Evanston, 847-328-5540
Dinner at Eight
Owner Candace Mirza tells me the new Juliska Firenze Medici line will be big this holiday season, and looking at the gorgeous platters and dishes gilded with marbleized platinum and gold, I can easily see why (from $37 for a cocktail dish to $298 for a 21-inch oval platter). Or tell your winter story with the Arte Italica Natale collection, handmade Italian majolica decorated with berries, pine boughs and snowy evergreens (from $45 for the square plate to $113 for the three-sectioned antipasti dish), perfect for the holiday table. 1167 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette, 847-251-8380
Peachtree Place
It’s as if owner Lucy Callahan is buying just for me. The table linens corner here makes me want to spend money. Whether it’s the new metallic-ring Chilewich placemats ($12) or runners ($40-50) or the rainbow of napkins and tablecloths, I am at their mercy. Combine them with the bevy of Michael Aram products—especially the lovely new tableware line (from $42 for a salad plate to $195 for a large serving bowl)—and I could easily lose control. If there’s anything left over, I’m also jonesing for the William Yeoward “American Bar” line of glasses, from shot glasses ($23) to beer tumblers ($60). I’ll drink to that! 303 Happ Rd., Northfield, 847-441-7585
