Retro cool in San Diego
For accessible modem design, walk down Kettner in Little Italy
1 | Mixture A sunny loft space offering large-scale contemporary furniture--such as a curved sectional with a chaise that looks like a cushioned slide, or a Moooi lamp, its shade atop a lifesize black horse. Can't fit that into your carry-on? Choose from books, colorful tea towels, and tableware. Closed Mon; 2210 Kettner Blvd., mixturehome.com
2 | Architectural Salvage The gently musty aroma in this 5,000-squarefoot treasure trove will quicken the pulse of any This Old House fan. Piles of drawer pulls and house numbers beckon, though you can also take home entire doors or windows--or maybe just some soda-pop signs from the 1950s. 2401 Kettner Blvd.; architecturalsalvagesd.com
3 | Boomerang for Modern set in tight spaces, the couches, tables, and chairs by the likes of Charles and Ray Eames are displayed on a scale that makes it easy to imagine them at home. Closed Sun; 2475 Kettner Blvd.; boomerang formodern.com or 613/239-2040.
4 | Subtext Gallery The gallery-plus-store's aesthetic runs from pop surrealist to lowbrow, but is always affordable. In a mix of photography, illustration, and graphic design, the sweet spot is limited-edition silk-screen prints ($40-$100). Open by appointment; 2479 Kettner Blvd.; subtextgallery.com or 619/546-8800.
5 | Klassik The midcentury couches and club chairs at this vintage furniture and accessories shop look trim but feel solid. Many have been reupholstered in deep reds and earth tones, and are so comfy you'll wish you'd brought a book. 989 W. Kalmia St.; klassikdesign.com or 619/640-6995. -KATRINA BROWN HUNT
while you are there
EAT There's not a red-checkered tablecloth in sight at airy Bencotto, run by transplants from Milan and Modena. Choose from eight sauces (such as spicy pancetta) and homemade pastas. $$; 750 W. Fir St.; 619/450-4786.
STAY Porto Vista welcomes pets and holds yoga classes on the roof. But the boutique hotel also embraces a kind of '60s Bond-girl lifestyle, with black-and-white photo murals to illustrate. From $99; portovistasd.com
ANDREA GOMEZ ROMERO (5)
Cowboy mod in Santa Fe
For kitsch-free Southwest style, look to the Pacheco Park complex
1 | Victoria Price The daughter of actor Vincent, Price blends contemporary furnishings with a traditional Southwest vernacular. Look for the work of locals Sherry Stein, who sews sturdy canvas workbags, and Yuki Murata, creator of minimalist tableware. Suite B102; victoriaprice.com or 505/982-8632.
2 | Form Function At Santa Fe's go-to lighting source, don't miss the Japanese-paper sconces from Jacqueline Mallegni--who makes her ethereal lights using rattan and willow from Abiquiu--or the tapers in saturated shades like pumpkin and seafoam. Suite A101; formplusfunction.com or 505/820-7872.
3 | Santa Fe Modern
Wide planks set off furniture pieces like an armchair made from Plexiglas and driftwood (surprisingly comfortable). Black-and-white horses gallop by on the walls, compliments of local photographer Tony Stromberg. Closed Sat-Sun; Suite A105; santafemodern.com or 505/ 992-0505.
4 | Four What happens when four artists, designers, and antiques dealers join forces? An eclectic mix of old and new, from 100-year-old Persian rugs to sleek leather handbags from Colombia. Coolest find: a super-soft felt throw of churro wool made in the high desert north of town. Suite C202; 505/995-8411.
5 | Santa Fe by Design New Mexico designers hold their own on this showroom's A-list of international kitchen-and-bath fittings names. We're fans of a local blacksmith's hand-forged iron door hardware and curvy vessel sinks by Stone Forest. Closed Sat-Sun; Suite D101; santafe bydesign.com--KATIE ARNOLD
EAT At the Chocolate Maven, around the corner, refuel on a grilled chicken sandwich, and save room for a chocolate buttercream cupcake. $$; 821 W. San Mateo Rd.; 505/ 984-1980.
STAY The El Rey is Santa Fe's hipster-vintage motel of choice, cozy casita-style rooms, heated pool, and all (for more details, see "50 Under $150," page 89).
Boho chic in Denver
For that vintage-meets-handmade look, head to South Broadway
1 | Lee Alex Decor
Search beyond the Sputnikera lamps and refurbed vinyl sofas for tinted martini glasses and tribal wooden beads. As of April, the store was to move down the street (from #66) to a bigger space. 24 Broadway; leealexdecor.com
2 | Decade Alongside clothing aimed at the Etsy girl--colorful scarves, flowery dresses--you'll find the quirky likes of ceramic bird-adorned drawer pulls and canvas wall hangings. An old tomcat, Stella the Fella, struts around like he owns the place. 56 S. Broadway; decade-gifts.com
3 | Fancy Tiger Crafts The DIY knitting, felting, and crocheting capital of Denver lures craftkids in thick-framed glasses with Japanese pink-robot-print fabrics, silk and bamboo yarn, and clumps of multicolor wool. 1 S. Broadway; fancytiger.com or 303/733-3855. The same crowd hits Meininger Art Supply (499 Broadway; 303/698-3838) to scour racks of colored pencils, markers, and papers.
4 | T-Trove Asian Decor The exterior may look like a warehouse, but the chi inside this showroom is fantastic. Check out the desk devoted to calligraphy, including how-to books and brushes. Closed Sun; 189 S. Broadway; t-trove.com or 303/722. -0949.--STEVE KNOPPER
EAT El Diablo, a spacious family place with a huge square bar in the center and) funky red lamps, supplements a surprisingly wide taco selection with chocolate-drizzled churros. $; 101 Broadway; 303/954-0324.
STAY There's not much nearby, but downtown favorites like the Teatro (from $189$; hotelteatro.com) and the Oxford (from $220; theoxford hotel.com) are just a 15-minute drive away.
Can't get there? Order these
San Diego retro cool
George Nelson clock ($545) from Boomerang for Modern (boomerang formodern.com).
Eames rocker ($475) from Boomerang for Modern.
Ceramic vase ($44) from Mixture (mixturehome.com).
Design book ($50) from Mixture.
Santa Fe cowboy mod
Soule Studios ceramic cafe bowls ($40 each) from Santa Fe Modern (santafemodern.com).
Firebird MonoRail pendant lamp (from $290) by Tech Lighting from Form Function (formplusfunction.com).
1930s Double Saddle Navajo blanket ($4,200) from Victoria Price (505/982-8632).
Denver boho chic
Bamboo, wool, and silk yarns (from $6) from Fancy Tiger Crafts (303/733-3855).
Lama Li handmade papers (form $6) from Meininger Art Supply (303/698-3838).--JESS CHAMBERLAIN
Solar lanterns by Allsop Home & Garden ($23 each) from T-Trove Asian Decor (303/722-0949).
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