A Shopping Guide to Boston’s Charles Street

Home to an eclectic mix of trendy boutiques, antique shops and neighborhood stalwarts tucked into historic buildings, Charles Street promises an intriguing adventure for Boston browsers. Devonia Antiques for Dining Warm up a contemporary space with a pop of color from Lori Hedtler’s glittering collection of place settings, vases and glassware by classic designers like Baccarat, Steuben and Royal Worcester. The tiny shop, which also provides antiques to Bergdorf Goodman in New York, offers a breathtaking rainbow of special pieces, predominantly from 1880 to 1920, as well as a custom line in difficult-to-find turquoise.  15 Charles St., 617.523.8313 Figs by Todd English For a time, celebrity chef Todd English lived on Beacon Hill, right around the corner from his cozy pizzeria . Stop in and try the crispy-crusted free-form fig and prosciutto pie with a Caesar salad and glass of Italian wine.  4 2 Charles St . , 617.742.3447 Tatte Bakery & Café You can get a terrific croissant at this outpost of Tzurit Or’s Boston-area chain , but the Israeli-born pastry chef also has a way with Middle Eastern sweets like the Chocolate Rose, a rich yeast bread twisted with copious amounts of dark chocolate.  70 Charles St., 617.723.5555 December Thieves These two sister shops are focused on uncovering edgy new trends from independent global designers. Look for a focus on innovative silhouettes and statement details in the apparel shop along with handcrafted jewelry. You’ll find everything from Ibride wall trays painted with Dalmatians dressed in Elizabethan costumes to blown-glass jellyfish in the design store.  51 Charles St., 857.239.9149; 88 Charles St., 617.982.6802 Bridge Antiques & Fine Art Lydia Rozovsky’s shop oozes Old World charm. The Russian-born expert has a keen eye for gorgeous inlaid furniture, museum-quality art and antique jewelry and decorative items from the 17th century to the 1950s. Set designers rent out her precious stock, and fans from as far away as Tasmania call to inquire about what’s new, then get what they like shipped.  99 Charles St., 617.227.0995 Rugg Road Paper Co. Sweet watercolor stationery by local artist Felix Doolittle sits next to New Yorker cards and sassy socks from Blue Q at this shop that’s been selling beautiful wrapping paper and lovely tchotchkes for nearly three decades. Order custom-engraved stationery on triple-thick paper or just find your new favorite notepad.  105 Charles St., 617.742.0002 Exclusive Jewels Gallery Owner Alyssa Eck comes from a long line of jewelers and spent time at Cartier before opening her own store. Now she offers a delightful mix of Old (and New) World pieces and loves to represent local craftspeople like Rhyme & Reason. But what makes her spot special is attention to customer service. Whether you have an estate piece you want to repurpose into something modern or a beloved heirloom that needs repair, Eck doesn’t disappoint.  107 Charles St., 617.367.8181 Period Furniture Hardware Co. This cramped shop , chockablock with knobs, pulls, hinges, and handles in materials from brass to glass, smells like your grandfather’s basement. And with good reason. It’s been around for almost 65 years, at first supplying to local craftsmen and now offering custom refinishing and decorative hardware for every need.  123 Charles St., 617.227.0758 Ouimillie This shop is well stocked with hard-to-find Danish, French, and Belgian designers, from Baum Und Pferdgarten’s colorful classics to unique shapes by Bellerose, alongside a handful of local pieces like Boston-based label Luke Aaron’s stylish bomber jackets. Scandinavian-style homewares occupy a peaceful, newly expanded lower level, while unique handpicked lifestyle, health, and wellness products are scattered throughout.  133 Charles St., 617.982.7962  Find a new home near Charles Street.