Time to talk about the wealth of great stores in lower Manhattn. Most are just a stone's throw from Casa de'Jelli, so I really have no excuse.

Remember last week when I told you about a store with the most amazing home lighting products I'd seen in a while...I lied. I've known about Ingo Maurer from products featured at stores like Moss, but I had never seen the entire collection all in one place. This is, without a doubt, the most imaginative collection of chandeliers, sconces, etc I have ever seen (until I find something new next week). Materials range from hi-tech (holograms) to sublimely simple (post-it notes)...some really great pieces.

And speaking of sublime, Sublime American Design is about to celebrate their first anniversary on Varick, and the name rings true. Simple elegance is the key here, with some fun surprises mixed in. The store offers a wide range of factory and hand-made home furnishings...most with some type of new, imaginative twist. Many will have you saying "why didn't I think of that"? You didn't need to, you can just come here.