After a hectic week in his southern New Hampshire studio, Country Home Style Editor-at-Large Matthew Mead loves to escape to the charming seacoast town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Often bypassed by New Englanders on their frantic drives to Maine, Portsmouth delights those who take the time to explore its remarkable 19th-century architecture, rich American history, and amazing boutiques and dining spots. Some of Matthew's favorites:

Macro Polo
This downtown Portsmouth business was founded on pure fun and is really four shops in one. Macro Polo offers retro-style toys, novelties, board games, and lunch boxes. Macroscopic features traditional handmade jewelry and bath and body items, while the accent is on urban contemporary gifts at Macropolis. Macro, Unleashed is for pets and the people who love them.
89 Market St., 603/436-8338

Ceres Bakery
If you stop in here at the beginning of the day for coffee and one of owner Penelope Brewster's legendary muffins or coffee cakes, you'll probably find yourself returning to this New Hampshire café for the bistro lunch or afternoon tea. "Treat yourself to a few cocoa butter hearts," suggests Matthew.
51 Penhallow St., 603/436-6518

City and Country
This Portsmouth business offers a dazzling selection of dinnerware, glassware, cookware, and cookbooks. The store also sells bath linens, curtains, the Caldrea line of natural cleaners, and the Fresh skincare product line.
50 Daniel St., 603/433-5353

Cobble Hill Antiques
A one-time New York City antiques dealer, Kelly Wright got the idea for this shop after a friend asked him to help accessorize a new furniture store. With California's new Cisco Brothers sofas and chairs as his building blocks, Wright creates idea-packed vignettes with paintings, lighting, and other accents from mid-20th-century and other periods.
82 Fleet St., 603/334-6866

The Flower Kiosk
"The Flower Kiosk is like having a spectacular cutting garden. I always make a stop here to pick flowers for upcoming photo shoots," says Matthew. In addition to a full selection of fresh blooms, this Portsmouth shop also specializes in rustic flower baskets and dried wreaths, plus cards, books, and vases.
61 Market St., 800/353-2140;
www.flowerkiosk.com

M.S. Carter Antiques
Melissa Alden continues the tradition begun by her mother, Margaret Scott Carter, offering great country antiques, vintage woodworking tools, treenware, pottery, and Christmas lights within an old grain warehouse on the waterfront.
175 Market St., 603/436-1781

Other Notable Stops

The Portsmouth Brewery is a friendly and lively place to toast your shopping success with a homemade beer or cider.
56 Market St., 603/431-1115;
www.portsmouthbrewery.com

Byrne & Carlson makes artisanal European-style chocolates and confections in small batches to ensure freshness.
121 State St., 888/559-9778;
www.byrneandcarlson.com

Somnia is a unique source for high-quality bedding, pj's, bath accessories, and personal-care items.
107 Congress St., 603/433-7600

Treehouse Toys overflows with adorable stuffed animals and other great toys. Don't miss the puppets and marionettes.
143 Market St., 603/433-8697;
www.treehousetoys.com

The Inn At Strawbery Banke offers lodging ideally located for exploring Portsmouth and other New Hampshire hot spots (which was known as Strawbery Banke when settled in 1630). Its seven comfortable rooms with private baths are within a historic 1814 home.
314 Court St., 800/428-3933;
www.innatstrawberybanke.com