Jennifer Berg

A stylish home works much like a chic outfit: adding the right accoutrements heightens the fashion flavor and shows off exquisite taste. Willow, a new home-accessories shop in West Town (908 North Damen), offers tasteful designs that spice up a room the way a cuff links pull together a tux.

The store's wooden floors and sage and white walls create a cozy sanctuary for owner Amy Doehla's collection of nature-hued goods: Look for plates covered in leafy fern designs, vanity mirrors with cutout songbirds and pillows covered in daintily sketched feathers. Doehla's artistry (she's a metalsmith and designer) is showcased in her original jewelry designs: Butterflies spread their wings across chunky, sterling silver cuffs, birds perch on graceful rings and necklaces feature delicate, almost twig-like silver designs. Doehla's handmade bags feature details like studded leather, red flowers and hair-on cowhide; "I consider these works of art," an exuberant shopper confesses.

Quirky home accents like honey-bear salt-and-pepper shakers, bunny-shaped cookie jars and vintage kitchen towels festooned with roosters lend a sense of humor to the otherwise sophisticated stock of goods.

A collection of body products offers exotic scents and hard-to-find brands: check out the rosemary and mint Nature Groupie Body Wash, White Moss Shower Gel from the all-natural line Acca Kappa and scoops of Bath Ice Cream that come in fruity flavors like Cranberry Fig.

The store's hidden gem is a soundproof room in back where aesthetician Karen Brody works skin-saving magic with facials and waxing: call the store at (773)772-0140 to book some face time.

(2006-01-17)

Also by Jennifer Berg

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Oh, the hassles of lakeside living. There are flyaways to smooth, blemishes to conceal, chapped extremities to soften
(2005-11-08)

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