(Photo: James Worrell)

Fringe Neighborhood

Flou's new Soho store is filled with beautiful minimalist beds equipped with ingenious storage solutions (lift up the mattress, store things underneath). No room for a bed? What about a cuddly fleece blanket for those cold January nights? These are fluffy, fringed, and fabulous. In fifteen colors ($152).

Flou
42 Greene Street, 212-941-9101

(Photo: James Worrell)

Door Policy

This Crunch hamper from Umbra may not exactly change your life, but it will free up a lot of space and make your bathroom much more pleasant. The crisp canvas plastic-lined bag and its hanger fit on a standard door (20 inches by 24 inches; $20).

Homefront Hardware
202 East 29th Street, 212-545-1447
Tarzian West
194 Seventh Avenue, Brooklyn, 718-788-4213
Buy it online at www.umbra.com.

(Photo: James Worrell)

Served on the Rocks

For kids, finding cool rocks is practically a competitive sport. And geodes—ugly on the outside, glistening on the inside—are the ultimate find. The grown-up version? These cool coasters, made of Brazilian agate, which look most amazing when lit from beneath. In green, blue, purple, and natural ($45).

Karkula
68 Gansevoort Street, 212-645-2216

(Photo: James Worrell)

Rubber the Right Way

Frolicking in the snow in a chunky sweater is great—in a catalogue, that is. There’s nothing fun about wearing wet wool. A compromise: C.P. Company's rubberized sweater, a boiled-wool zip-front cardigan with a very light rubber coating that makes it water-resistant ($475).

C.P. Company and Stone Island
106 Wooster Street, 212-965-5330

(Photo: James Worrell)

Keep Them Hanging

Chandelier earrings are undoubtedly sexy, but they can also be heavy and hard to wear. Thaya and Binny's light, festive, handmade earrings offer maximum effect with minimal discomfort. Styles, sizes, and colors vary ($20 to $40).

Nisa
250 Elizabeth Street, 212-925-4772

(Photo: James Worrell)

Warm Thoughts

Who says scarves need to be flat and rectangular? This grandma-goes-space-age number is like jewelry for the neck. It's wool (but not itchy), warm, and handmade in Nepal, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting a local childrenÂ’s fund. Also in blue and lilac ($125).

Lucy Barnes
117 Perry Street, 212-647-0149

Related:

• Archive: “Best Bets”
• Articles by Rima Suqi
• Table of Contents: Jan 13, 2003 issue of New York | Subscribe!