Young thirty-something, Vermont-born Stephanie Walker opened Walker Contemporary in Boston’s artsy Sowa neighborhood almost two years ago, just as many Boston gallery owners were abandoning their storefronts due to the recession. Deemed a little bit crazy by friends and family, Walker stuck to her instincts. After almost ten years toiling in galleries in rural New England and Boston’s Newbury Street, followed by a two-year tour of the West Coast art scene, Walker knew she was ready. And her gut steered her right. Today, the gallery is thriving. The sleek white space showcases contemporary works in a variety of mediums, from emerging and mid-career artists. Walker talks to us about her artists, gives us a glimpse into the day in the life of a gallerist and trolls eBay for artful objects. read more

Audra Boyle has a very clear aesthetic vision, but she doesn’t come by it in any obvious way. In her Boston boutique Looc, Boyle masterfully blends New England prep with South of France sophistication for a look that’s so spot-on classic glam, one wonders why it isn’t done more often, especially considering it's wearable for women of absolutely any age. In fact, earlier this summer we spotted a post on her Facebook page mentiioning a 20-year-old and 80-year old who both bought the same piece of clothing at Looc and both rocked the style, each in her own way. read more

Nikki Dalrymple’s background as a television producer and set designer for HBO, National Geographic, PBS, and the Discovery Channel prepared this thirty-something tastemaker for her second career as antique scavenger, shop owner, and designer. When Dalrymple moved to Boston with her husband five years ago, she realized she was ready for a change and quickly snagged a job managing Good in Beacon Hill, one of the city’s most impeccably stocked shops (think vintage bowls, John Derian plates, and Mizu jewelry). Soon, Dalyrymple signed a lease on a space in Boston’s North End and Acquire was born. September marks the shops two-year anniversary, and what is surely just the beginning of a thriving design career for Dalrymple. read more

Well-worn (not to mention well-traveled) luggage is making appearances outside of the storage closet. We love the look, which lends a sense of once-upon-a-time adventure to even the spiffiest of spaces. And who can argue with suitcases' ability to do double duty? They make perfect storage pieces for everything from off-season sweaters to grandma’s china. read more

Even though we don't boast a Palm Beach pedigree, we nevertheless appreciate the panache of rooms done in pure WASP style. Who can resist the riot of pattern and color, the bright and shiny lacquered surfaces, the Asian influences, and vintage rattan that remind of vestiges of days long gone, especially when the look is re-imaged with an eye towards modern living? read more

What are the latest trends in everyone's favorite sweet treat? The latest cupcakes come salted, stuffed with flavors like raspberry and cream cheese and even spiked with vodka. read more

Peter Davis the Executive Chef of Henrietta’s Table, a popular restaurant in Cambridge's The Charles Hotel has long been a champion of sustainable cuisine and supporter of the regional fishing and farming communities. More impressively, he’s spending winter Saturdays teaching eager kids how to cook. read more

Iris Apfel, an 88-year-old New York society figure, interior designer, and co-founder of textile design company Old World Weavers is style incarnate. She’s been incorporating ideas that magazines are touting like they’re today’s news into her wardrobe for decades. Principles that include mixing high and low (“the less it costs, the better I like it”), celebrating ethnic styles (“my tastes go to the exotic"), and accessorizing the little black dress to create “umpteen” outfits have always been part of her style lexicon. She says, “I just mix and put things together the way the spirit moves me.” Eighty-seven of this style icon’s ensembles are dramatically showcased in “Rare Bird of Fashion The Irreverent Iris Apfel” at the Peabody Essex Museum, on view through February 7th. read more