CITY
Mary Poppins’s sturdy parasol doesn’t compare with the “Stormproof” umbrella by Senz°, which can withstand 60-mile-per-hour winds without turning inside out, thanks to its aerodynamic shape. $79 at Boston General Store, 305 Harvard St., Brookline, 617-232-0103, www.bostongeneralstore.com
Wishing she had a mini trunk for her bicycle, local cyclist Kathryn Carlson developed the “Buca Boot” bike-storage box, complete with lock to keep stuff safe and dry. $225 at Bicycle Belle, 368 Beacon St., Somerville, 617-661-0969, www.bicyclebelleboston.com
A stylish (and more private) upgrade from the granny cart, the “Knalla ” shopping bag with wheels transports groceries or laundry and has a detachable pocket for your wallet, phone, and keys. $19.99 at IKEA, 1 IKEA Way, Stoughton, 888-888-4532, www.ikea.com
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Grow basil year round with this self-watering organic herb kit by Modern Sprout, which employs a passive hydroponic system that requires you to do basically nothing once setup is complete. $20 at Magpie, 416 Highland Ave. , Somerville, 617-623-3330, www.magpie-store.com
Trade grubby street sneaks at the front door for hand-sewn cotton house shoes by Merippa, imported from Japan. You can roll them up for airplane travel and hotel stays, too. $55 at Topdrawer, 273 Newbury St., Boston, 857-305-3934, www.topdrawershop.com
COUNTRY
For the most refined country dweller, this sturdy, handcrafted canvas and leather firewood carrier has the feel and function of fine luggage, making the trek from log pile to hearth easy and stylish. $138 at Ball and Buck, 144 Newbury St., Boston, 617-262-1776, www.ballandbuck.com
Trips through the woods and hillside antics call for an heirloom-worthy kids’ pull sled complete with water-repellent cushions and made from kiln-dried northern hardwoods. Dogs love it,
too! $169 at L.L.Bean, Legacy Place,
340 Legacy Place, Dedham,
800-650-6358, and other locations, www.llbean.com
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Bring the forest to the threshold with a charmingly modern “Birch” doormat by Kikkerland made from durable PVC that pulls off dirt and retains water, great for both indoors and out. $31 at Roost & Company, 40 Front St., Salem, 978-744-4663, www.roostandcompany.com
A 30-degree tilt activates this portable “Firefly” lamp by Alexander Åhnebrink for De Padova. Rechargeable via USB, it has an LED bulb encased in smoky-gray blown glass and leather straps, making it a luxurious addition to the patio or bedside. $960 at Showroom, 240 Stuart St., Boston, 617-482-4805, www.showroomboston.com
Mountain dwellers will adore this embroidered, classic tartan-plaid “Après Ski” throw by A Soft Idea, made in Spain from machine-washable cotton and microfiber acrylic and available in white and camel. $146 at Whitney + Winston , 113 Charles St., Boston, 617-720-2600, www.whitneyandwinston.com
Marni Elyse Katz blogs about design at StyleCarrot.com. Send comments to Address@globe.com.