Felt + Fat
Port Richmond's Felt + Fat is turning out ceramic plates, bowls, trays, cups and mugs that are pretty enough to be art, fancy enough to earn nods from Vogue, and cool enough to catch the eye of top chefs who use them at their restaurants. (See them at Fork, Laurel and High Street on Market.) Philadelphia, PA feltandfat.com.
Kevin O'Brien Studio and Parisa Rugs & Decor
While Kevin O’Brien Studio and Parisa Rugs & Décor aren’t producing a shared collection just yet (fingers crossed), these interior-design powerhouses known for their luxurious handmade textiles are now sharing a 3,000-square-foot showroom. The street-level first floor is stocked with Parisa’s notable assortment of rugs and arguably the city’s best collection of quirky-chic objects. On the lower level, KOB has bedding, throws, and one-of-a-kind velvet kimonos. 33 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, kevinobrienstudio.com.
Family Piano
These graphic black-and-white blankets deserve a place on your sofa, hanging in your living room — wherever. They’re the brainchild of Merchantville artist, designer and musician Joe Kusy, who wanted to share his art in a functional way. “Everyone can use them,” he says. “There’s no sizing like with apparel.” Each 100 percent jacquard cotton woven piece is inspired by abstract natural landscapes and makes a statement, whether as your summer picnic blanket or a new foyer rug. Familypiano.myshopify.com.
Juliet Hope Wayne
This cool West Philly seamstress will come to your house and teach your kids and their friends how to make stuffed animals, messenger bags and doll outfits. Before her visit, she'll talk through design ideas with the kids, and once she arrives, you can sit back and have a glass of wine: She brings all the fabric, scissors, rulers and real sewing machines, not those silly starter models that don't work. Service areas include Philadelphia, Delaware County and the Main Line. Juliethopewayne@gmail.com. Philadelphia, PA
All Phase Electric
Techs arrive on time and skip the "Main Line upcharge" some companies tack on. They'll handle emergencies, rewire your 1930s home, or just install a new chandelier. And their receptionist is so sweet. 9015 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082, allphaseelectricco.com.
Marilyn Schwartz of Kids’ MusicRound
A warning: The first time you walk into one of Miss Marilyn’s music classes, you’re going to be overwhelmed. Babies are squealing and toddlers are dancing (the age-bracket sweet spot is newborn to about five years), and Miss Marilyn is bouncing around wildly and playing guitar, and you’ll come out wanting either a coffee or a cocktail. But loosen up and lean into it, and you’ll see what everyone else in Bucks County already knows: Miss Marilyn is the most fun person your kids will ever meet, and the single best way to get them to love music. (You might walk away with some cool new mom friends, too.) Follow her Facebook page for info on virtual class offerings. missmarilynkmr.com.
Hush Salon Philadelphia
Chances are you've passed this year-old salon nestled upstairs inside Old City's Sweat gym without even knowing it. No more. The former Bang is now home to Adrienne Rogers, longtime color instructor for Product Club, and her husband Carlos. The duo, recent migrs from NYC who have celeb heads like Rachael Ray on their joint rsum, are turning out some of the best, most natural-looking color jobs in the city with sleek cuts to match. And they're doing it in a bright space worth finding, without the pomp or painful prices of some higher-profile spots. 45 North 3rd Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106, hushsalon.com.
Jinxed in Port Richmond
Jinxed’s newest location is also its largest — a giant warehouse stuffed with piles of quirky bric-a-brac that will make those shelvies (selfies of your shelves, duh) worthy of sharing. Just clear your afternoon: It’s easy to spend hours here. 2858 Memphis Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134, jinxedphiladelphia.com.
Retrospect Vintage (@retrospectvintage)
Every day, more than 6,000 followers race to claim the vintage home goods this South Street vintage shop posts on its Instagram feed. The items range from antique treasures to kitschy curiosities (rattan peacock chairs, velvet paintings and Victorian settees have all cropped up), and all are priced to sell, well, instantly 508 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, retrospectvintage215.com.
RareCo Vintage
At first glance, this surprisingly palatial vintage shop appears to stock an anything-goes assortment, but look more closely: Nearly everything—velvet swivel seats, hexagonal end tables, the constellation of look-at-me chandeliers dangling from the ceiling—is a real treasure. 410 Fitzwater Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, rarecovintage.com.
Retrodelphia
Appointment-only Retrodelphia has all the pieces you could ever want on display in its colossal showroom. 190 Timberlane Road, building 1, Clarksboro, NJ 08020, instagram.com/retrodelphia.
Linvilla Orchards
You get pizza, lemonade or cider, cake, coloring books, a hayride, animal feeding, and an entrance to Linvilla's all-wooden playground. Season allowing, ask for a pick-you-own add-on, so each kid gets to go home with some handpicked fruits and veggies. 137 West Knowlton Road, Media, PA 19063, linvilla.com.
Stadler-Kahn
Shop in this quirky, crazily eclectic subterranean emporium of vintage curiosities and accessories, and youre guaranteed to run into most of Phillys creative class. That pretty much sums it up. 1724 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, stadler-kahn.com.
The Modern Republic
Sometimes it can feel like there’s too much art, both vintage and new, with which to decorate your house. How to decide? The Modern Republic, a mid-century modern retailer in Fairmount, is a great place to start: With vintage Alexander Calder and Herman Miller prints at reasonable prices, there’s something for every kind of house (plus great vintage furniture, to boot). If your walls could talk, they’d be thanking you. 1600 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130, etsy.com/shop/TheModernRepublic.