I spent the weekend in Boston. It has always been a favorite city of mine–historic and colonial, urban and chic. Old and new aren’t mutually exclusive here. The shops and restaurants inhabit walk-up brownstones and alleyways. They are tiny and warm, and emphasize fineness. 
Plum Produce, for example, is a bright little shop in the South End. It’s nestled so closely to someone’s graceful home that I thought we were getting a view of the kitchen. Beautiful fruits, vegetables, herbs, and condiments are gently set out on white platters, countertops, and small shelves. Turnips were art, and cauliflower was candy. I loved it.
We also shopped Lekker, a home furnishings store that features modern, architectural European designers. This is stuff that I don’t normally gravitate toward for my own home, but do find inspiration in. I often click through the website for ideas, even if I interpret them with a more classic bend to suit my 1930s cape cod. These antler hooks were so great. They would work beautifully against a boldly-colored wall, or in place of framed art. No need to hang your coat.
Dining in Boston is an equally stylish, yet homey, affair. For dinner we settled into a clubby booth at 75 Chestnut. It’s quintessential Boston, in Beacon Hill, and it’s the bistro everyone wants in her neighborhood: wooden bar, martini list, and chicken pot pie. Perfection.
On my next visit, I’ll bring a warmer coat and add a late lunch at The Butcher Shop to the list.
