When the 2006 Country Home Arizona Dream Home was still in its blueprint stage, Creative Director Mary Emmerling was already buying fun finds to fill it. “People think they’ll find only Southwest style here in the Phoenix area,” says Mary, “but with transplants from across the country, it’s a melting pot of styles.” Here are a few of Mary’s favorites.

Trouve
French for “find,” Trouvé sells dazzling chandeliers, hefty mirrors, and wrought-iron garden tables—plus sweet soaps, candles, boxes, frames, and cards.
4225 E. Camelback Rd. , Phoenix ; 602/778-9777

La Grande Orange Grocery
Stop by this gourmet grocery store in the morning for scrumptious pastries and bread, and again on the way home for salads, cheeses, and olives.
4410 N. 40th St. , Phoenix ; 602/840-7777

Tammie Coe Cakes
Pastry chef extraordinaire Tammie Coe creates exquisite cakes and pies that are almost too beautiful to eat. Almost. “Her wedding cakes are to die for,” says Mary.
4410 N. 40th St. , Phoenix ; 602/840-3644

Allan Bone Gallery
Located in an old adobe house, this gallery amazes customers with its mix of Spanish Colonial antiques; Latin American contemporary art; Mexican ceramics and silver; and 19th-century benches, tables, and trunks.
7610 E. McDonald Dr. , Scottsdale ; 480/922-9533

Anitquities
For one-of-a-kind pieces that make a big statement, Mary heads to this architectural materials store filled with stone tables and troughs, heavy wood doors, pine beams, and floor tiles.
7401 E. Redfield Rd. , Scottsdale ; 480/556-0303

OTHER NOTABLE STOPS

Sage Antiques
Kendra Vermeer fills her shop withstainless-steel medical furniture, found natural objects, and fun lighting—all with great prices.
335 W. McDowell Rd. , Phoenix ; 602/258-3033

On the Veranda
Mary loves the store’s pretty vignettes layered with outdoor furniture, garden ornaments, and antique ironwork.
4748 E. Indian School Rd. , Phoenix ; 602/955-8690

Domestic Bliss
For a full afternoon of shopping fun—everything from Italian chandeliers to stylish diaper bags. Don’t forget to go upstairs for fun clothes and jewelry.
166 W. Main St. , Mesa ; 480/733-0552

Jon Bonnell at White Hogan
Mary stops here for unique Native American art and handcrafted silver pieces.
7144 E. 1st Ave. , Scottsdale ; 480/945-5556

Local antiques malls “are a great place to find that layer of fun,” Mary says. Four of her favorites in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area are:
Antique Centre,
2012 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale; 480/675-9500;
Antique Trove,
2020 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale; 480/947-6074;
The Brass Armadillo Antique Mall,
12419 N. 28th Dr., Phoenix; 602/942-0030;
Chez Antiques,
8740 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale ; 480/813-1909

To Refuel and Relax

Zinc Bistro
Even if the owner, Terry Ellisor, wasn’t her brother, Mary would head here for the onion soup, prime flat-iron steak, and French fare.
15034 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale 480/603-0922

Hotel Valley Ho
Stay here for funky, modern decor—plus credenzas with vanities and pull-out desks in every room.
6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale 480/248-2000

Royal Palms Resort and Spa
This place oozes privacy and restful elegance; soak up the flavor of old Phoenix with a cocktail in the courtyard.
5200 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix 602/840-3610; www.royalpalmsresortandspa.com

Good Eats
Toyama, 23415 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale; 480/513-1221
The Counter, 15215 N. Kierland Blvd., Scottsdale; 480/998-0202; www.foxrestaurantconcepts.com/thecounter.html
(Great shopping here, too.)
Postino, 3939 E. Campbell Ave., Phoenix; 602/852-3939; www.postinowinecafe.com

Overnights
Hermosa Inn, 5532 N. Palo Cristi Rd., Scottsdale; 800/241-1210; www.hermosainn.com
The Mondrian Scottsdale, 7353 E. Indian School Rd., Scottsdale; 480/308-1100; www.mondrianscottsdale.com
Yum Yum Tree Guest House, 90 West Virginia Ave., Phoenix; 877/986-8733; www.yytguesthouse.com

EVEN MORE GREAT SHOPPING

Blush, 8787 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale; 480/922-1139
Bungalow, 15505 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale; 480/948-5409
Robb & Stucky, 15440 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale; 480/922-0011; www.robbstucky.com  
Electric Ladyland, 15435 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale; 480/948-9341
Turkey Mountain Traders, 7008 E. Main St., Scottsdale; 480/423-8777; www.turkey-mountain.com
Pearson and Company, Interior Plantscape Design, 7022 E. Main St., Scottsdale; 602/840-6447
El Paso Import Co., 8734 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale; 480/367-6624; www.elpasoimportco.com
Bullies in a China Shoppe Décor, 2501 N. 7 th St., Phoenix; 602/254-0040; www.bulliesdecor.com
Relics Architectural Home & Garden, 839 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix; 602/265-7354; www.relicsaz.com
Moody Blues, 3355 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler; 480/558-7494, www.shopmoodyblues.com