One of my favorite stores in Washington, D.C. is Home Rule, a small boutique that’s chock full of great housewares for the kitchen, bathroom and more. Home Rule is unique and carries goods that satisfy another set of criteria for the object-obsessed. In fact, it’s so addictive that if I can’t make a trip down to D.C., I ask a friend to send supplies.

Upon each visit, I usually just cut to the chase, asking the owner, “What do I need from here? What will I fall in love with and not be able to live without?” I’m always met with stellar recommendations (not expensive or frivolous ones), ranging from stylish multipurpose silver scrubbies to the Kershaw Kai tomato/cheese knife. These items not only work well, but they also make my kitchen and overall home environment more beautiful, which in turn makes me happy. And once I’m hooked on an item, I replenish my stock of it every couple of months.