Liberty 123, Kirkland

When I was a little girl, I used to dream of having my birthday party inside Toys "R" Us. I would invite my best girlfriends and we would spend the night putting on Barbie Doll fashion shows and racing the aisles on pogo sticks and roller skates.

Now that I am a grownup girl, I dream of hosting a dinner party inside Liberty 123. I would invite my closest girlfriends and we would drink wine from goblets and sip lobster bisque from delicate, flower-shaped bowls. We would light candles, dance beneath chandeliers, adorn our necks with jewels, converse with ceramic chickens, and eat hazelnut gelato with tiny spoons crafted from mother of pearl.

Liberty 123 is the type of boutique you never want to leave. This is thanks to mother and daughter owners Mary and Liberty Hanson who each possess a refined eye for choosing only the most beautiful and quality items. They have a unique ability to mix whimsy with elegance, traditional styles with contemporary moods. "It's my passion," says Liberty, the daughter of the team and the shop's namesake. This passion is evident. From the Arte Italica ceramic and pewter dishes stacked high on a darkly stained, heavy farm table, to the delicate handmade jewelry by local designer River Burke, to the John Derian decoupage plates that hang on the walls: everything in the store is a work of art.

Apparently I'm not the only gal longing to linger in Liberty 123 after hours. Years ago I told Liberty, "I want to spend the night in your shop." She nodded her head in response. "People tell me that all the time," she laughed.

Liberty 123
123 Park Lane
(425) 822-1232