We like to be different. Chain stores and franchises usually don’t cut it for us (unless we’re shopping for toilet paper and frozen pizza in bulk). So it’s really no surprise that we’ve been forgoing IKEA and Crate & Barrel for a more personalized and unique shopping experience. Don’t get us wrong: we love an occasional “some assembly required” piece of furniture. But stores like Jill Goldberg’s Hudson (312 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, 617.292.0900), which stocks furniture and accessories from Shabby Chic and Oly, as well as Jonathan Adler wallpaper, offer interesting alternatives to the cookie-cutter couches available at big-box stores. Other places to shop if you want to make your house (or tiny studio, or third-floor walk-up) a home include Grand (374 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, 617.623.2429) and Fort Point newcomer Front Home Store (25 Channel Center Street, Boston, 617.670.3782).
