>> This article is an excerpt from Where Did You Get That?, a home design guide printed in the August 2010 edition of The Washingtonian. To view 40 more places to get distinctive furnishings, click here.
And Beige. 1781 Florida Ave., NW; 202-234-1557. For Daren Miller, “beige” is not a dirty word in home design. The name of his store is a reminder that clean, crisp neutrals are a welcome addition in any interior. There are always pops of color, he says, but “don’t forget about beige.” His newest lines include custom, handmade lamps by Christopher Spitzmiller.
Decorium. 116 King St., Alexandria; 703-739-4662. Walk inside this wisteria-draped shop and whimsy is everywhere, from sapphire-blue Lucite tables to fanciful chandeliers—alongside a traditional sofa strewn with Union Jack pillows. “You have to walk in here and be happy,” owner Jeff Albert says.
Flora’s Feathered Nest. 12211 River Rd., Potomac; 301-765-0003. Marcia Copenhaver and Peggy Deitrick are “old garden-center girls” at heart, but they gradually expanded into a home-furnishings store with something for every room in the house. The inventory fills a quaint barn, and they still offer plenty of plants and garden furnishings outside.
Kellogg Collection. 3424 Wisconsin Ave., NW, 202-363-6879; 10241 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, 301-897-9102; 1353 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, 703-506-0850; kelloggcollection.com. Pamela Kellogg Green’s stores are a great source for English-country-inspired furnishings. Custom offerings include tables made exclusively for Kellogg by artisans in western Maryland, rag rugs made by an artist in Vermont, and hand-painted vintage mahogany furniture.
Modern 50/Factory 20. 44900 Acacia La., Suite 122, Sterling; 703-577-5596; 703-655-8831. “Mostly it’s just buying and selling neat stuff,” Dino Paxenos says of his and partner Eric Ginter’s huge industrial-vintage inventory. Dino’s Modern 50 leans toward midcentury, while Eric’s Factory 20 runs more generally across the 20th century; they buy much of their inventory together. Examples: a 1930s ambulance gurney, a 1940s school bell, colorful 1960s oil drums. Customers must call for an appointment—the men will pull items they think will be of interest and arrange them in vignettes for truly customized shopping.
Pear Tree Cottage, 130 Maple Ave. E., Vienna; 703-938-1331. The furnishings and accessories here range from industrial to Hollywood glam to European antique. Owner Frances Brayshaw’s passion is repurposing—turning a clam basket or bee skep into a lamp, for example.
Red Barn Mercantile. 113 S. Columbus St., Alexandria; 703-838-0355. This large, airy store feels like a sophisticated farmhouse. Owner Amy Rutherford stocks customizable furniture by Cisco Brothers, a Los Angeles company known for its ultra-green practices. She also sells exotic John Robshaw bedding, Dash & Albert rugs, and many vintage children’s items.
Urban Country. 7117 Arlington Rd., Bethesda; 301-654-0500. Rachelle Roth delights in mixing collections from venerable names including Drexel Heritage with new, edgier upstarts such as Turning House. She’ll soon be the region’s exclusive carrier of celebrity designer Thom Filicia’s new line of furniture.
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