A treasure trove of home stores on Bainbridge Island

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — A ferry trip to Bainbridge Island offers spectacular views, fresh air and an easy getaway from the city. The island also offers a bevy of unique home stores — from chic to funky — tucked away in Winslow's shopping district, just a short walk from the ferry dock.

The choices will excite most home-décor fanatics, with several shops and galleries featuring furniture and accessories for the home, gadgets for the kitchen, fun pieces for outdoor rooms and unique art by local craftspeople.

Check out the stores along Madison Avenue and Winslow Way, where plenty of small businesses have taken root.

And don't forget, it's the perfect place to bring out-of-town guests in the summer — what could be better than a short ferry ride (35 minutes), a nice lunch and shopping on a beautiful island?

Here are just some of the home stores on Bainbridge:

Bad Blanche Collection

133 Winslow Way E., 206-842-1807

Poke around in all the corners to find the gamut of affordable options at this store, which features Asian and contemporary goods.

Dining-room tables and living-room furniture dominate the main areas, but don't overlook an area with clothes that also has mirrors, like a carved teak style ($125).

There are whimsical choices, like a cotton-candy pink club chair for $499.99, or go more classic with a small, apartment-style sofa ($698.98) with a minimally embellished coffee table ($388.98).

Bad Blanche also offers selections including sideboards, dishes, textiles, Chinese scrolls and Buddha heads.

The Berry Patch

278 Winslow Way E., 206-842-3593

This store is as cute as its name.

It's tucked into Winslow Mall, where it will charm shoppers with its layout and broad array of baking and cooking supplies, plus dishware and other accessories.

We were smitten by beautiful Italian white china edged with pewter, though a soup bowl costs $42.95. But the store also stocks lines of affordable dishware, and a kitchen setup includes gourmet sauces and condiments. Shoppers can find cake and muffin tins, graters and soup tureens, or accessorize their living rooms with a small selection of pillows and candles.

Dana's Showhouse

278 Winslow Way E., 206-842-6945

Dana's Showhouse is a quirky combination of card store and furniture pieces, but its dedication to furniture made by island artisans and craftspeople is undeniably appealing.

James Strickler's willow and cherry tables are especially noteworthy, with beautiful shimmery wood tops and natural wood legs. Alan Vogel has an antique barn-wood table for $3,500.

And Dana's carries other attractive furniture not made locally, like Palecek's leather chair, in caramel or red ($375).

Island Nest

100 Winslow Way W., 206-780-3449

This small store in Winslow Green specializes in traditional pieces with attitude.

A Chippendale-style chair, for example, features a goatskin seat, with dark fur intact ($1,850). A shell mosaic adds an unexpected element to an otherwise ordinary cocktail table ($1,850). And a sofa is covered with a contemporary, blue-and-green brocade pattern ($3,200).

Co-owner Jennifer Carrillo said she wanted to bring a fresh look to the choices on the island.

And don't let a few high prices stop you from looking around. Clear vases with a frosted design cost $35, or pick up a mirror for $180. An adorable lowball tumbler engraved with blue-and-green fish is $12, and an airy chandelier is $225.

The store also sells bedding and plenty of accessories.

Port Madison Home/Over the Fence

240 Winslow Way E., 206-842-3410

This roomy location hosts two distinct stores: the bulk is taken up by Port Madison Home, a furnishings store that covers the gamut from the living room to the dining room to the den, and on the other side of the space, shoppers can choose from reclaimed, rustic wood furniture and outdoor pieces at Over the Fence.

Port Madison owner John Hays invited Over the Fence in when he moved to the location. He felt the outdoor furniture worked well with his indoor décor, he said.

And easy-to-browse Port Madison features contemporary furniture with a few traditional pieces mixed in. You can find an apartment sofa in tweed fabric for $1,915 or pick out a simple, dark green sofa for $999. A chocolate leather club chair ($1,125) and ottoman ($1,125) are sleek seating choices. Pillows range from $17 to $69; pick up a Vera Bradley bag or browse the numerous dishware and textile choices.

At Over the Fence, look for recycled teak pieces from Thailand, such as a barrel chair ($198) or recycled bench ($289).

Other interesting stores dot the central shopping district. Check out Cake (230 Winslow Way E., 206- 842-7200) for its hip pillows and throws. Island Ambiance (154 Winslow Way E., 206-855-8025) offers handmade rugs and carpets from Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, among other locales.

Fox Paw (160 Winslow Way W., 206-842-7788) sells accessories like mirrors, statues and vases, while Lilies (141 Winslow Way E., 206-780-2330) features cottage-style bureaus, nightstands and cabinets.

Head to Bagatelle Antiques (150 Madrone Lane, 206-855-0679) for high-end European finds, or look for local art at the Island Gallery (106 Madison Ave. N., 206-780-9500), Roby King Galleries (176 Winslow Way E., 206-842-2063) or Gallery Fraga (166 Winslow Way E., 206-842-1150).

But a word of caution: If all these stores are tempting you before your trip even begins, a car — and its roomy trunk — can be a good thing.

Nicole Tsong: 206-464-2150 or ntsong@seattletimes.com