Bring home a touch of Whimsy

The name of the new home-furnishings shop Whimsy is wholly appropriate: Its furniture and home accents are whimsical, but not silly or capricious. Instead, the modern furnishings at this Capitol Hill store are designed to inspire fun.

Dr. Teri Burnett is the proprietress of this shop, a transformed corner space that was formerly a convenience store/malt-liquor stop -- not to mention an eyesore. With an eye for beauty, form and proportion (she was a cosmetic surgeon in her previous life), Burnett has created a hip, urban environment in which to shop for contemporary furnishings. "It's not all steel and glass," Burnett says. "You'll find lots of color, interesting shapes and unusual finishes."

She carries a little bit of everything, including colored crystal stemware, red coral studded pillows, Lucite sculptures, stunning wall mirrors, bedding, and crystal and chrome lighting.

The merchandise has been carefully sourced to include handmade items and pieces made with environmentally friendly materials and sustainable resources. Unique upholstery comes from a husband-and-wife team in California; decorative flowers are made from recycled paper; wine racks made from salvaged mango-tree trunks look like wall art, but are supremely functional.

Prices range from a few dollars for brightly colored, German-made Waechtersbach dipping bowls to more than $3,000 for a contemporary couch. And some pieces look far more expensive than they are: Suede-covered bar stools with chrome and Lucite legs are $531, but they look like a million bucks.

Not everything here is pure whimsy. Burnett has set up a foundation in conjunction with her shop to give back to the community, and she donates a percentage of her total sales to various charities.