Paul Sperling at Colonial Wallcoverings carries designs that are unmistakably current, ranging from swirling art nouveau patterns to postmodern prints. Taking a hands-on approach, he’ll visit your home, suss out your situation, and offer expert advice. Give him a swatch, image, or inspiration, and he’ll invent a paper just for you.

Colonial Wallcoverings, 707 East Passyunk Avenue (215-351-9300).

Whether browsing for home or fun, you’ll be glad you started with the Center City design boutique’s superb collection of sleek furnishings.

Minima, 118 North Third Street (215-922-2002 or minima.us).

High-end housewares await at Scarlett Alley, a jam-packed shop that will quench your desire to domesticate.

Scarlett Alley, 241 Race Street (215-592-7898 or scarlettalley.com).

In addition to beautiful arrangements, the team at Robertson’s Flowers delivers custom creations for every special occasion. They’ll also work on a budget, so anyone can have a little extra cheer.

Robertson’s Flowers, 859 West Lancaster Avenue (215-836-3050 or robertsonsflowers.com).

Everything old is new again at Astro Vintage, a paradise of housewares from the ’50s to the ’80s.

Astro Vintage, 720 South Fifth Street (215-922-0483 or astrovintage.com).

The well-stocked shop carries everything from refinished furniture to haute household items to merch for baby.

Scarlet Fiorella, 113 South 13th Street (215-922-1955 or scarletfiorella.com).

The quaint home decor store has everything you need to take your pad from drab to dashing. Shop whimsical shadow boxes filled with rare bugs and kooky-cool papier-mâché animal heads. Roots Inc.’s big-ticket items include tables made from recycled materials.

Roots Inc., 8436 Germantown Avenue (267-385-5753 or shoprootsinc.com).

Take a trip to City Planter in Northern Liberties to turn up interesting, hard-to-find plants; all the accessories for taking care of them; and helpful design advice.

City Planter, 814 North Fourth Street (215-627-6169 or cityplanter.com).

Urban dwellers need a green space that’s as sophisticated as they are, so Michael Haschak, owner and florist at Pure Design, scours the market for exotic and rare blooms and plants them in a window box, arranging with clean lines, bright hues, and unexpected flourishes.

Pure Design, 500 South 22nd Street (215-545-6666).