Obviously we love online shopping; we don’t know what we ever used to do before it existed. But when there is a really amazing brick and mortar store, nothing beats it. There are so few people talented enough to find the perfect space, buy amazing merchandise without a bad piece in the bunch, and edit and arrange all of it in a way that makes you want to move into the store. Those people deserve a giant shout-out.

I was in Rockland Maine last weekend and stopped by one of all my all time favorites, G. F. MacGregors. The building is amazing, the space is airy and relaxing (in spite of the lack of air conditioning mixed with a freak heat wave that was occurring at the time), and the manager has the store looking beautiful every time. There is even a charming tiny courtyard garden with more merchandise out back.

I had to loop around three times to make sure I didn’t miss a thing. There were Jonathan Adler pillows, vases, and gift tags, Eames stationary, Diptyque candles (I still can’t bring myself to spend $46 on a candle, but still), Area bedding, useful and inexpensive design books like The Pocket Decorator and Pure Style, beautiful photographs and swanky metal outdoor chaise lounges. I am in awe of how this store transformed from Shabby Chic a few years back (it looked great then too, but it was time to move on) to a clean and simple mix of the old, the new, and the retro.

If you happen to be in Rockland Maine, don’t miss this Main Street attraction. Afterwords, stroll down the way to the Farnsworth Museum, chock full of three generations of Wyeth paintings as well as exhibitions. Right now, there is an Alex Katz exhibit well worth the price of admission – the 20 minute movie of him painting is a trip. If you don’t have time for the entire museum, pop into the gift shop for some Edward Hopper cards or a Jamie Wyeth print. [painting copyright Alex Katz, 1991]