Best Local Home Store: Red Barn Mercantile

Searching for a new rustic couch plus the perfect vintage sewing spindles to match? Throw in some antique dressers, buffets and armoires, and add a few quirky coffee table books and you have the gist of this cozy furniture and gift shop. Owner Amy Rutherford, above, transcends the usual shabby chic: “I like to say we’re a little
bit country, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll.”

Trendsetting: The store has one of the area’s largest selections of colorful Dash & Albert rugs.

» Red Barn Mercantile, 113 S. Columbus St., Alexandria; 703-838-0355.

» SECOND PLACE: Hill’s Kitchen, 713 D St., SE; 202-543-1997. (Eastern Market)

» THIRD PLACE: Home Rule, 1807 14th St., NW; 202-797-5544. (U St.-Cardozo)

» Explore a full list of the year’s winners at the Best of 2010 index.

Written by Express contributor Rebecca Milfeld
Photo by Dayna Smith for the Washington Post