À Bientôt
“This hip shop has great costume jewelry,” says Herring. “And I love mixing costume with the real stuff.” 3268 Westheimer Rd., 713/523-3997, www.shopabientot.com.

Alexandra Knight
“She designs and sells great alligator bags,” says Thrash. By appointment only. 2440 South Blvd, Ste. 104; 713/527-8848. For other locations, visit www.alexandraknightonline.com.

Area
“You walk in and always find something,” says Herring. “Cool vases, great antiques. Modern but with a mix of old too.” 5600 Kirby Dr., 713/668-1668.

Brian Stringer Antiques
“The shop’s atmosphere is truly intoxicating. Brian should get a medal in furniture procurement,” says Powers. “His wicked sense of humor is a bonus.” 2031 West Alabama St., 713/526-7380, www.brianstringerantiques.com.

Brown
Lamps designed by owner Jill Brown, chandeliers, antique lighting, and antiques.
“Brown lived in Europe for years and continues to bring back some of the best lighting in the city,” says Barden. 2940 Ferndale St., 713/522-2151, www.theshopbybrown.com.

Carl Moore Antiques
You’ll find a vast collection of English, Continental, and Chinese antiques at this shop, a fixture in Houston for more than 20 years. 1610 Bissonnet St., 713/524-2502, www.carlmooreantiques.com.

Carol Piper Rugs
This respected dealer of antique and new carpets just launched a line of original designs. 1809 West Gray St., 713/524-2442, www.carolpiperrugs.com.

David Brown Flowers
“Not just a florist,” says Powers, who recommends the store’s interesting vases, containers, and things for the home. 1180 Uptown Park Blvd., 713/664-0466.

Found for the Home
“This showroom—a loftlike space that was once a staple manufacturing plant—is filled with wonderful, crusty treasures,” says Barden. “There are chandeliers, vintage floor lamps, 18th-century antiques, and garden pieces.” 2422 Bartlett St., Ste. 5; 713/522-9191; www.foundforthehome.com.

Hamilton
Houston’s oldest family-owned business. Their quality, stylish shirts are still cut and sewn by hand. 5700 Richmond Ave., 713/264-8800, www.hamiltonshirts.com.

Indulge Linens Décor
Soaps, linens, perfume, and jewelry, including some of Herring’s designs. “It’s an experience just walking in. It feels like you’re in Paris,” says Herring. 2501 River Oaks Blvd., 713/521-7107, www.indulgelinens.com. Its sister shop is Indulge Maison Décor. 2903 Saint St., 713/888-0181, www.indulgedecor.com.

Jas A. Gundry, Inc.
A trove of Georgian, Oriental, and Continental antiques. “Jas Gundry has more than 35 years in the business and has worked with many museums and famous interior decorators,” says Barden. 2910 Ferndale Pl., 713/524-6622, www.jasgundry.com.

Kay O’Toole Antiques & Eccentricities
“The shop is much like the woman herself: light, airy, and wonderfully eccentric,” says Powers. “You truly feel that you are somewhere between France and Italy, but you do not find the typical ‘Frenchy’ kind of pedestrian antiques. Kay buys with her soul, and it shows.” 1921 Westheimer Rd., 713/523-1921, www.kayotooleantiques.com.

Kuhl-Linscomb
“An upscale home décor and lifestyle store spread out over five buildings. Shoppers can find everything for a stylish home: beautiful bed linens, gift items, tabletop, books, and brands such as Armani Casa, Kartell, Herman Miller, Artemide, and Bulthaup. It’s a mecca, a larger-than-life store that’s a visual feast,” says Barden. 2424 West Alabama St., 713/526-6000, www.kuhl-linscomb.com.

Longoria Collection
“The Longoria Collection in Uptown Park has a Zen-like atmosphere,” says Thrash. “Their gifts are elegant and tasteful.” 1101-02 Uptown Park Blvd., 713/621-4241, www.longoriacollection.com.

Maida’s
Custom boots and other leather goods since 1901. 3740 Westheimer Rd., 713/961-4538, www.maidas.com.

McClain Gallery
“For me, art must be both fine and functional,” Thrash says. “McClain Gallery is our personal favorite. Robert and Cynthia McClain have had countless important shows this past year, including Julian Schnabel, Louise Nevelson, and Cy Twombly works on paper, to name only a few.” 2242 Richmond Ave., 713/520-9988, www.mcclaingallery.com.

Meredith Long & Company
“My favorite gallery,” says Herring. “It has a great mix. You might find a Winslow Homer next to an up-and-coming artist.” 2323 San Felipe St., 713/523-6671, www.meredithlonggallery.com.

Moody Gallery
“With an emphasis on Texas artists, the gallery is cutting-edge but classic,” says Powers. “At the same time, it has very friendly price points.” 2815 Colquitt St., 713/526-9911, www.moodygallery.com.

Neiman Marcus
Sure, the Dallas store is the icon, and you may have one in your city, but Neiman Marcus is still a must-shop. “Kent in the shoe department has been there since I was a kid,” says Powers, “and he can make anything happen.” The Galleria, 2600 Post Oak Blvd., 713/621-7100, www.neimanmarcus.com.

Parkerson Gallery
With a focus on American and European 19th- and 20th-century art, owner Sandy Parkerson deals in the secondary market, including many works from Houston estates. 3510 Lake St., 713/524-4945.

PH Design Shop
“I spend $500 a month here,” confesses Powers. “The owners have such fantastic taste. I’m always getting custom Post-it notes or calling cards for clients. Go there to do things outside of the box.” 3306 South Shepherd Dr., 713/522-8861, www.phdesignshop.com.

Phyllis Tucker Antiques
“Antique sterling silver flatware and hollowware,” says Barden. “The city’s finest caterer, Jackson Hicks, can be found there frequently, snapping up all the most important pieces.” 2919 Ferndale Pl., 713/524-0165, www.phyllistucker.com.

Pixie and Ivy
“A small clothing shop with a great eye,” says Herring. 1848 Westheimer Rd., 713/630-6500, www.pixieandivy.com.

River Oaks Bookstore
This cozy bookstore is known for its coffee table books and the latest fiction and nonfiction. “They always have a plate of cookies on the coffee table,” says Powers. 3270 Westheimer Rd., 713/520-0061.

Shabby Slips Houston
Chic custom upholstery, antiques, and handcrafted reproductions. 2304 Bissonnet St., 713/630-0066, www.shabbyslipshouston.com.

Sloan/Hall
Powers suggests this hip, funky card store that also carries jewelry, frames, and accessories. 2620 Westheimer Rd., 713/942-0202, www.sloanhall.com.

Tara Shaw
The to-the-trade warehouse sales of this antiques dealer are famous. 1845-A West Alabama St., 713/533-9744, www.tarashaw.com.

Thompson + Hanson
“It’s a nursery and garden shop,” says Powers. “Kathy Frietsch, the buyer, has amazing taste. I’m in there at least twice a week, whether I’m buying a coffee table book or potting soil.” 3600 West Alabama St., 713/622-6973, www.thompsonhanson.com.

Toni Whitaker
“Toni designs everything from black silk taffeta evening skirts to beaded wedding gowns,” says Barden, who admits to coveting a Whitaker-designed, ladylike gray suit that resembled something Grace Kelly would have worn. 2422 Bartlett St., Studio 7, 713/522-1406, www.toniwhitaker.com.

Tootsies
Thrash ranks this luxe women’s fashion store as one of her favorites. Find designs by the likes of Etro, Christian Lacroix, Roberto Cavalli, and more. Highland Village Shopping Center, 4045 Westheimer Rd., 713/629-9990, www.tootsies.com.

Twenty Six Twenty
“Hands down the best co-op for high style and great design,” says Powers. “These ladies are design-obsessed, and it shows. Constantly changing and always fresh-feeling, it is almost a one-stop shop.” 2620 Joanel St., 713/840-9877.

W. Gardner, Ltd.
“His shop, housed in a handsome home with a pool, brims with antiques from around the world,” says Barden. 2930 Ferndale St., 713/521-1027, www.wgardnerltd.com.