OPENED IN 1998, Pod in Brookline Village is the kind of shop you might stumble upon in Paris’s artsy Marais district. Though the theme is simplicity — equal parts quiet Eastern design and rustic textural warmth — the home goods, found objects, clothes, and personal care items are anything but boring. That’s because owner Julie Baine has a refined taste combined with a sense of whimsy. This season, linen is the fabric du jour.
WAXING POETIC
“This is a really different application of linen,” says Baine. Modern, minimal, and textural, these Jen Goff necklaces combine braided waxed linen with hammered brass ($108 each).
BEACHY KEEN
It’s not every handbag and hat that are machine washable. Also lightweight and sturdy, this Fog Linen hat ($62) and roomy shoulder bag ($44) are great for summer. Choose from nautical navy or beach pebble neutrals.
HOP TO IT
Mix linen with a bit of nylon (7 percent, to be exact) and you get durable textured socks that have staying — and staying up — power. Fog Linen knee-highs ($36) are cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
POD CAST
Baine and dog Tulip preside over Pod’s eclectic mix of natural home goods and apparel, with easy-care linen items a store staple. Top sellers include the Fog Linen cafe apron with handy pockets ($40) that Julie wears, great for cooking, gardening, and shopping flea markets.
POWDER ROOM PERFECT
Long-lasting, super-absorbent, and quick-drying, linen is an ideal fabric for bathroom towels. Won’t they wrinkle? Sure, that’s part of the charm. LinenMe hand and bath towels ($18-$56) are available in 19 colors.
MATERIAL GIRLS (AND BOYS)
Linen is not such a surprising choice for infant wear when you consider the fabric is all natural, breathable, and stronger than cotton. Check out Zebi Baby linen diaper covers ($22) and colorful, adjustable snap bibs ($14).