Pre-Registry Reconnaissance

You’re going to live with them forever, so take a weekend to see your future heirlooms in 3-D. We map out the fastest route (and where to break for lunch).

• By Stacia Thiel
• Published Summer 2007

SATURDAY: UPTOWN

1. First stop: Gracious Home. The home accessories look more expensive than they are: The Retro Kitchen Wall Clock with a built-in timer for cooking ($24.99) and Marie Pi hampers ($195) look like they belong in a downtown design boutique. 1220 Third Ave., at 70th St.

(Photo: Courtsey of Asprey)

2. Next visit the new Asprey store. Ask to see the collection of home games—backgammon, chess, oversize dominos (from $1,750). Much friendlier in price range are the sterling-silver and crystal-horn salad servers (from $220) or pieces from their Matchstriker Blue china (from $65). 853 Madison Ave., nr. 70th St.

(Photo: Courtsey of Frette)

3. Walk a few blocks south to Frette. Your friends may balk at the high-priced sheets, but the gorgeous bathrobes ($550 each) or terry bath towels (from $55) are a bit more affordable. 799 Madison Ave., at 68th St.

4. Take a quick detour to William Wayne & Co. , where you can pick up fussy home décor, if that’s your taste—like the white bird tureen and stand reproduced from original Arts Decoratifs pieces in the Louvre (from $250) or a pair of porcelain garden seats with which to flank your mantel at home should you be lucky enough to have one ($525 each). 850 Lexington Ave., nr. 64th St.

5. Back on Madison, the sterling Blossom pattern cutlery at Georg Jensen is amazing, but at $4,125 a place setting, you might do better by asking for the Jean Nouvel pattern ($114 for one five-piece setting). 685 Madison Ave., at 62nd St.

(Photo: Courtsey of Christofle)

6. Nearby, Christofle’s Vertigo collection features Pyrex baking dishes cradled in silver-plate stands—beautiful and practical (from $370). For something less contemporary, ask for their silver tea services (from $210). 680 Madison Ave., at 62nd St.

(Photo: Davies + Starr for New York magazine )

7. At Barneys New York, go to the ninth floor for one-of- a-kind finds like Aletha Soulé stoneware crockery (from $11). 660 Madison Ave., at 61st St.

(Photo: Davies + Starr for New York magazine )

8. Next door, at Calvin Klein, check out the skinny stainless-steel flatware (from $70) and tall wood and ceramic vases (from $300) only available here. 654 Madison Ave., at 60th St.

(Photo: Davies + Starr for New York magazine )

9. At lunchtime, go to the Nicole Farhi store, known for its ceramics and mouth-blown glassware, including the Tunisian punched collection (from $40). Stop in to Nicole’s for a healthy, Cali-style lunch that won’t ruin your pre-wedding diet. 10 E. 60th St., at Fifth Ave.

(Photo: Courtsey of Crate & Barrel)

10. Refueled, you’re ready for Crate & Barrel. Look for pricier statement pieces elsewhere and concentrate on the practical here: Staxx stoneware coffee mugs designed to occupy less space inside cabinets ($4.95 each), as well as Acacia wood trays (from $29.95), handblown cheese domes ($32.95) and microwave-safe tajines ($29.95) ideal for a mellow housewarming party. 650 Madison Ave., at 60th St.

(Photo: Davies + Starr for New York magazine )

11. Stop in the 3,000-square-foot porcelain emporium that is Bernardaud. Consider one of their many patterns, like the traditional Grand Versailles (from $415 per setting) to the clean Digital (from $90 per setting). 499 Park Ave., at 59th St.

(Photo: Courtsey of Williams-Sonoma)

12. Take some time in Williams-Sonoma, one block east. Feel yourself acquiescing to KitchenAid Mixer bridal peer pressure ($299.95). 121 E. 59th St., at Lexington Ave.

13. The convenient one-stop-shop that is Bloomingdale’s has everything you need on the sixth floor, from All-Clad stainless-steel tea kettles ($99.99) to Wusthof knives ($299 for the classic eight-piece block set). 1000 Third Ave., at 59th St.