The word is, The Hat Box hits the mark

BEST BUYS

The Hat Box will celebrate its one-year anniversary in May and

milliner Paula Del Percio has done well.

“I wasn’t sure,” says Del Percio. (To be closer to her children

she moved her business from East Hampton to Laguna Beach.) “My hats

are high-end and sophisticated, but so far I haven’t needed to

advertise. All of my business is by word of mouth.”

Del Percio custom designs hats and has pre-made hats.

“I make the whole hat from scratch, using the best materials,” Del

Percio said.

She uses a Swiss braid called Paglina, a Milan straw, a Swiss

lacquer straw and fur felt with a wool cotton blend of rabbit and

beaver. Most of the designs are for women, and she also makes bridal

veils. For men, there are Panama hats, and an Italian straw boater

classic hat that she carries in all sizes. Del Percio has made hats

for celebrities including Susan Lucci, Robert De Niro, Maya Angelou

and Stephanie Powers. Hats are priced from $98 to $450. Open 11 a.m.

to 6 p.m. daily. 550 S. Coast Highway, Suite 3. Information: (949)

497-7335. www.TheHatBox.com.

TASTY FROM THE OVEN

Locals love Andree’s Patisserie, a tiny French bakery hidden in

the Art Center behind the Art of Framing. Since 1981, dedicated owner

Ron Reno bakes all by himself, from scratch-every day, except Sunday.

Everything is popular -- the ham and cheese croissants always sell

out, as well as the croissants, Danish, muffins, scones, eclairs,

lemon squares, biscotti, and on Saturdays-Copenhagen squares. Reno

also has pre-made sandwiches, and you can call for cakes and special

orders. Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 1456 S.

Coast Highway. Information: (949) 494-1577.

FURNITURE FOR ALL TASTES

Bungalow specializes in romantic home furnishings. Owner Margie

Moore separated the store in to three sections. A funky side has

black and red painted furniture, Shabby Chic-look furnishings and old

chandeliers; a formal side features white painted furniture, buffets,

tables chairs and china cabinets; and the back section has upscale

bedroom furniture. All of the rooms have vintage mirrors and

paintings. Hand-painted floral clocks from Patty Lane and rose

paintings framed in old tin from Christie Repasy go quickly here.

Plus French door knobs, sconces and iron candle holders. Diane

Keaton, Bette Midler, Ted Danson and Donna Karan shop at Bungalow.

Open 11 a.m. to 5:30 Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday at 1850 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. Information: (949)

494-0191.

CLASSY ACCESSORIES

The Art of Living is a home accessories store known for its

extensive candle selection. Candles can be special ordered and come

in scents like coco hazelnut, fig, spruce, tuberose, spicy vanilla

and sandalwood. Owner Simah Zareh chooses appealing gift items from

all over the world. The selections include Asian cabinets, lamps,

iron candelabras, mirrors, frames, clocks, cards, jewelry and

first-rate silk flowers. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at 477 Forest

Ave. Information: (949) 376-0142.

ALL EUROPEAN

Nicholson’s Antiques offers European antiques mostly from France

and England, and none of the 18th Century Americana antiques that are

especially hot back East. Its rambling rooms are filled with 18th and

19th century antiques, including a Louis XV-style carved gilt wood

armchairs (circa 1880), a George II style mahogany gilt wood mirror

(circa 1890) and a 19th century George II bureau, Louis XVI

continental carved chest of drawers (circa 1800), continental

Biedermier birch secretaire abattant, circa 1840 with restorations,

and Charles X Birdseye maple and ebonized round table. Nicholson’s

generally takes things back on consignment from customers. 10 a.m. to

3 p.m. Sun. and Mon. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at

362 N. Coast Highway. Information: (949) 494-4820.

www.nicholsonantiques.com.

STYLES FROM INDIA

LaLa carries great casual clothing from popular labels including,

Lix jeans, Juicy Couture and Petite Bateau. However, its biggest

standouts are owner Kerry Cassill’s designs made of lightweight

cottons from India. Cassill designs bedding, children’s clothing, and

curtain panels with beads, baby doll dresses, slip dresses, robes,

bathing suits and sarongs. Nice-looking bohemian styles. Open 10 a.m.

to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at

1143 S. Coast Highway. Information: (949) 464-9220.

* BEST BUYS is a weekly feature of the Coastline Pilot. Send

information to Greer Wylder at [email protected]; at P.O. Box

248, Laguna Beach, CA 92652; or by fax at 494-8979.