Profile

For years, Bark shared a space with the Breukelen housewares boutique, but when the latter closed its doors in 2005, Bark moved a few blocks away, to this roomy storefront. The store's informal atmosphere—with both a garden and a fireplace—makes it feel as much a comfy apartment as a shop; colorful throws and furry rugs abound. The eclectic, whimsical stock adheres to no singular aesthetic or unifying ideal, just owner Lynda Downey's heartfelt enthusiasm for whatever quirky international imports catch her eye. You can browse crystal decanters, enamel plates and bowls, gold jewelry, and a varied assortment of mainly women's clothing. Typically, there's also a selection of bedding in lush fabrics like silk, mohair and cashmere, and exotic artisan-made goods, including huge pillows cased in soft Mongolian lamb fur. — Geeta Dayal

Key Departments

Downey loves the notion of incorporating heirlooms and romance into a couple's home, and she stocks the store with individual textiles, linens, vases, glassware, and tableware. One of her signature items is the customized Mongolian Lamb Floor Mat that is available in white or caramel.