I have a creative compulsion. I was born with it. It means creating art in the dance studio, on set, in the kitchen, within a field of nature. Wherever a song can be sung. Up late or asleep amid dreams, ideas come to me. While I can’t yet reveal a big outlet up next on my resume, some recent work as a style and decor contributor to Brooklyn Exposed is shared below and a riff or two can be found on Thought Catalog. I express all of this to you today because 1) I’d love it if you want to read along on those sites and 2) I encourage you to expose yourself, to get to the ruby shining within you.

Forget the yellow brick road. Click your heels along Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue and be carried away to home decor shop heaven. This east-west thoroughfare offers exceptional decor and design options for new-to-the-neighborhood dwelling or the Brownstone in need of an interior facelift. From antiques and Mid-Century furniture to creating an outdoor space and Jonathan Adler’s everything, our guide to Atlantic Avenue’s top shops will have you declaring there’s no place like home.

1. Circa Antiques
Antique haven Circa Antiques (374 Atlantic Avenue) has been on Atlantic since 1975. Featuring 19th century American and European furniture, owner Rachel Leibowicz’s knowledge abounds. Ask her about the exquisite mahogany dining table in the middle of her shop and you’ll learn it is just shy of 200 years old. Made in part from a 24-inch single cut piece, it is a rare find in today’s market and just one example of the unique nature of the items at Circa.

2. A Cook’s Companion
Decorate your dining table with dinner made in objects from Le Creuset, Emile Henry, Epicurean and more. The latest craze at A Cook’s Companion (197 Atlantic Avenue) is the SodaStream, a cost-effective seltzer machine with eco-friendly refillable exchanges available to everyone. Simmer and fizzle folks.

3. Sterling Place
Sterling Place (363 Atlantic Avenue) owner Shakoor Watson’s adoration of gift giving began while attending estate sales as a boy with his father. Fast-forward to the present day and you’ll find that love has blossomed into an extraordinary universe of vintage and modern day specialty items including home decor, antiques and an especially unique collection of male-focused gifts that make each day feel like Father’s Day.

4. Flor
Feel like reinvention? Look no further than Flor (307 Atlantic Avenue). Lay down lush, vibrant carpet design squares to create one-of-a-kind floor coverings. You can mix and match individual 50 cm (19.7”) tiles in any color of the rainbow and from an array of textures and patterns. This modular miracle is eye-catching innovation made easy.

5. Town and Country 352
Joe Giallo, the funny and charming purveyor of Town and Country 352 (352 Atlantic Avenue), exudes passion for pieces that look like they belong on the set of Mad Men. His knowledge of Mid-Century settees is second to none on this block. Treasures are tenfold, confirming his street cred. This shop uncovers a pirate’s booty of furniture and art made to landscape your home before ever walking the plank.

6. Jonathan Adler
No home is complete without a dose from design genius Jonathan Adler (378 Atlantic Avenue). Whimsical and modern furniture fill the avenue’s outpost. Like a kid in a candy store, it will be difficult to walk away with just one piece. Holly Resendes, Store Leader, led us around the visually pleasing parlor. We couldn’t stop staring at all of the classy and sassy accessories, especially the solid brass collection. Tic Tac Toe anyone?

7. Dig
A garden design company that specializes in extending your home to the terrace, backyard and rooftop, Dig (479 Atlantic Avenue) stocks a wide variety of plants, containers and accessories to create a home garden. This is the perfect spot to help spruce up your space outside just in time for spring and summer.

8. Greenhouse
Independently owned by two native New York women, Greenhouse (387 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn) gives everyone the option of eco-friendly decorating. Each product has been created through ethically and environmentally responsible manufacturing. From furniture to recycled wine bottle glasses, a stop in this shop proves going green is chic and not a sacrifice.

Note: Article and photo above first published here.