By: Anh-Minh Le, decor8 Contributor
Learn more about Anh-Minh here.

While my writing for decor8 is usually focused on the San Francisco Bay Area, I was in Savannah last week and just had to let you know about some of the wonderful shops I checked out while there.

@home Vintage General – 7 W. York Street

This is one of the sweetest stores I?ve ever seen. Owner Liz Demos, an art history graduate of the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) and regular contributor to Better Homes + Gardens and Country Homes magazine, fills her store with an eclectic mix of goods ? including pretty ribbons, antique lace, children?s toys, linens, books, kitchen tools and ceramics. And you don?t have to break the bank account to indulge here. For example, $3 will get you an adorable bud vase/napkin holder or a cute little wooden bird. Other finds that caught my eye: a pack of canvas flower stickers and the Kerri Lee scrapbooks.

@home Vintage General

DC2 Design, 104 W. Broughton Street

Open since October 2005, DC2 is a combination retail store/design firm/caf? owned by Barabara Rose, Dimitri Chami, and Dean Caldarelli. (If Dean’s and Dimitri’s names sound familiar, it might be because they were featured on HGTV’s “Househunter: Finding a Fixer” in March 2005.)

Upon entering DC2, you?re greeted by a comfy lounge-like area alongside a caf? counter with bar stools. Be sure you don?t just stop there ? there?s plenty to see in this shop. DC2 is unique in that you can stop by for coffee and dessert, browse their beautiful showroom, or seek design advice from their two resident designers, Dimitri and SCAD alum Chad Mabry.

I was smitten by several mirrors that would have been perfect in my entryway (priced around $100-150). Everywhere I turned, I picked up something that I would definitely have bought had shipping/lugging purchases home not been an issue. Only after I returned home to San Francisco did I learn that they actually are known for shipping goods all over the U.S. (sigh.)

By the way, business is booming so they have plans to expand into a new space across the street, a space 3 times larger! Their new space should open by Spring ’07.

DC2 Design

La Paperie, 409 Whitaker Street

This brand-new shop, (open less than two weeks) offers some of the best stationery around ? including Elum letterpress cards, R. Nicholas party invitations, Neah Bay Douglas botanical-themed greetings and goodies from Russell + Hazel and Molly West Handbound, too.

Owner Debbie Lewis, who relocated to Savannah from Chicago 20 years ago, has a background in apparel (she managed stores for The Limited). Debbie knew though that she needed to make some changes and pursue her passion: to own her own boutique specializing in gorgeous stationery.

La Paperie not only has lovely papers, but a friendly staff and real hometown feel. Congrats to Debbie on her brand new adventure!

La Paperie

One Fish Two Fish, 401 Whitaker Street (sorry, no photos for this one!)

Located in the Downtown Design District (Whitaker Street between Charlton Lane and Gaston), this shop is filled with new, antique and found treasures collected by owner, Jennifer Beaufait Grayson. This quaint corner store is a must if you?re looking for a unique gift or something to spruce up your home. Rugs, bedding, beach-inspired accessories (think seashells, corals), dishes, mirrors, painted furniture, planters ? you?ll find almost everything you need to create a charming space of your own. The Bongenre melamine tableware and Toss Designs totes were especially appealing since they could easily survive the plane ride home.

ShopSCAD, 340 Bull Street

Ever since my first trip to Savannah years ago, I have been harboring a dream of someday taking classes at SCAD. It?s more than just a school here; it?s an integral part of the community. The college?s boutique, an anchor of the historic district, only carries the work of students, faculty and alumni. There were so many great things in the store, and several stood out as I walked through: Claire Sanchez?s handbags, Amelia Allen?s hand screen-printed pillows, Lacey Bronson?s tees, Kathryn Reichert?s sterling silver jewelry, and anything by Working Class Studio. (Okay, I did end up having to ship some items home after my little shopping spree here.)

The Paris Market + Brocante, 36 W. Broughton Street

Featuring all things French, if you plan on stopping by this store, be sure to block off a huge chunk of time. The Paris Market?s two floors are chock-full of amazing things ? furniture (love the hot pink dining chairs upholstered in a Pucci-esque fabric), pretty lamps and chandeliers, pillows (lots of Thomas Paul designs), handbags, dishes (straight out of your most beloved Parisian bistro)? With over 5,000 square feet of retail space, it would be hard for me describe it all; you really have to visit it for yourself (or at least visit the online shop!). To add to the French feel of this place, there?s a Metro sign at the top of the stairs and even a patisserie in the corner of the main level. (Pssst? Apparently, this store is one of FoodTV superstar Paula Deen?s favorites. Her popular restaurant, The Lady and Sons, is just a few blocks away. Did you know Deen got her start in the food business in Savannah nearly 20 years ago selling sandwiches from door-to-door to downtown office workers?)

Thanks, Anh-Minh for this great field trip on design – southern style! Any readers in the Savannah area, or have you vacationed there recently? Comment below to highlight things you loved about the area, or to brag about your favorite store.

(images provided by stores above, a special thanks to the owners for these great photos!)