130 Clinton St., Brooklyn, NY 11201

After many years in advertising, Liz Cooke decided in 2005 to open a home-goods store that had an “English vibe.” And with Haystack Home & Body, she’s succeeded, with a charmingly eccentric stock that includes plenty of pieces imported from across the pond. Tucked away on a quiet stretch of Clinton Street, the sunlit space is filled with an eclectic array of knickknacks, home accessories, and furniture. Walls can be spruced up with framed photographs by local artists or glass panes silk-screened with vintage New York postcards. Meanwhile, cream-colored bowls and plates by Emma Bridgewater and base-metal creamer sets by Roost add style to the kitchen. The contemporary classic furniture selection—from design houses like Bungalow 5 and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams—is a bit slim, but Haystack consistently stocks muted-color sofas, armchairs, and ottomans that can withstand passing style trends. These pieces are perfectly complemented by folk-art pillows by England’s Chelsea Textiles. Only the toiletries section—consisting of a small but well-curated selection of soaps, body washes, and shaving accessories—strays from the shop’s home-décor mission: Even the children’s section is full of antiquated items like cribbage boards, tiddledywinks sets, and cap guns that are as likely to serve as a quirky piece of decoration as they are to be found in a modern kid’s toy chest. — Tayt Harlin

New York Magazine