Front Range home-design aficionados have long trekked to Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall to scoop up delightful doodads for the home. (The beloved Peppercorn store is a mecca for gorgeous kitchenware.) But don’t stop there. Within walking distance of the mall are a handful of new (and newish) independent boutiques that continue to make the city a design destination.

5280 Home Winter 2014
More From The Issue

^ 1. Cedar & Hyde Mercantile (Pictured, Above)

The concept behind Cedar & Hyde, say owners and sisters Christie and Poss Lambert, is a “modern-day mercantile.” As in: They’re borrowing from the old-timey general store with an everything-under-one-roof selection. But rather than sundries and feed, they carry American-made denim alongside Turkish goat-hair rugs and luscious Japanese bath towels. We love it all.

2015 10th St., Boulder, 720-287-3900, cedarandhyde.com

^ 2. Madelife

Part artist collective, part modern furniture showroom, Madelife captures the Boulder zeitgeist: Committed to partnering with local artisans, the 6,000-square-foot store/gallery features a feast of indie-modern goods (many made right here in the Mile High City), including pine beetle desks, bicycle-print pint glasses, and modern alpaca-fleece throw pillows. It’s where we go to discover what’s next in Colorado’s design scene.

2000 21st St., Boulder, 303-927-0802, madelife.com

^ 3. Bishop

Owner Sara Bishop’s expert eye curates every nook and cranny of this impeccable antique shop. Among the “yes, please” items we found in the quaint space: a delicate Asian bamboo cabinet, a vintage Venetian-glass centerpiece, and mohair throws. And don’t miss the charming assortment of pewter salt-and-pepper sets for the hostess-with-everything on your holiday shopping list.

2019 10th St., Boulder, 303-444-2227, bishopboulder.com

^ 4. Emilia Ceramics

Hand-painted ceramic kitchenware evokes trips to sun-kissed, well-fed locales (Italy, France, and Mexico, in particular)—and who doesn’t want a taste of that in their own kitchen? Thanks to Emilia, we don’t have to voyage across the globe to bring such pieces home. Many of them, selected by owner Emily Brown, are handcrafted exclusively for the store—including a navy-and-white chevron vase we’ve been eyeing for our mantel.

2232 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-442-0180, emiliaceramics.com

^ 5. LON Little Shop

Owner Lon McGowan’s style is specific and delightful: modern pieces that achieve both a sense of purpose and a sense of humor. (See: an orange, vintage-inspired digital flip clock.) Bonus: McGowan curates the new gift shop at the nearby Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, which is also worth a visit.

Lon Little Shop, 2037 13th St., Boulder, 970-510-0667, lonlittleshop.com; Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St., Boulder, 303-443-2122, bmoca.org