Best Furniture (Tie):
Lawrance / Treasures
Celebrating its 70th anniversary in April, Lawrance furniture offers contemporary furnishings that you’ll be hard pressed to find anyplace else. "We shop the major U.S. shows, as well as in Europe and Asia," says company president Howard Haimsohn. Whether you are looking for that perfect chair for a reading nook or need help outfitting an entire room, Lawrance design consultants take time to get to know you and your family’s unique needs to help you visualize the room before you invest. If it’s variety you’re after, look no further than Treasures. The San Diego showroom is a literal treasure trove — 200,000 square feet of designer vignettes featuring high-quality furnishings, handcrafted accessories, and art. Here you’ll find important pieces by Ralph Lauren, Barbara Barry, Tommy Bahama, Lexington, and Bernhardt, and the collections change regularly to keep your home up-to-date. The store periodically hosts design workshops to introduce its customers to noted design experts in the industry. (858/586-1900, www.treasuresfurniture.net) (619/291-1911, www.lawrance.com) —Tanja Kern

Best Linens (Tie):
Between The Sheets / Martha Smith Fine Linens
If quality is measured by the details, then Between the Sheets has become a mainstay for luxury living. Buyers for this linens boutique have scoured the world to bring Southern California residents the very best Italian linens, down comforters from Denmark, lambs wool mattress pads from Germany, and thirsty Egyptian cotton towels. Oversized sheets fit plump pillowtop mattresses, while silk comforters are sewn to last a generation. Martha Smith in La Jolla carries a carefully edited selection of the finest linens available in San Diego County. Owner Michele Babcock, who now owns the 25-year-old store, says she takes a modern approach to outfitting the bed and bath by offering sophisticated products by Anali, Matouk, Scandia Down, Ann Gish, and Nancy Koltes. The local linens guru can also help you invest in the ideal sheets or down comforter for years of dreamy sleeps. (619/299-9300, www.betweenthesheets.com) (858/459-8642, www.marthasmithfinelinens.com) — Tanja Kern

Best Real Estate Agency:
Barry Estates
With their impeccable reputation for ethics and integrity — not to mention their intimate knowledge of North County — it’s no wonder so many readers turn to Barry Estates to buy or sell a home. "Our clients come first in every sense of the word," says Catherine Barry. "We try to anticipate their every need, and many of our clients remain friends long after they’re settled in their new house." Long-time residents of Rancho Santa Fe, Barry and her husband Daniel opened the agency in 1990, and they’ve specialized in the 92067 area ever since. Working closely with children Jason and Laura, both of whom are top agents in their own right, this is one family-owned business that definitely understands the importance of home. (858/756-4024, www.barryestates.com) — Lois Alter Mark

Best Home Theater Store:
The Home Theater Store
Located in Solana Beach, The Home Theater Store is every movie buff’s dream. From plasma screens to universal remotes to rear projectors and digital hard drives, owner James Conlin is entrenched in the latest technologies. Brand names include Crestron, Integra, and Paradigm, to name a few. And when they say home theater, they’re not kidding. Offering customizable full screen installations, complete with theater row seating and lighting, a visit to The Home Theater Store means no more trips to AMC, which these days can be like a day at the zoo. Enjoy your movies they way you want to. (858/259-3640, www.theaterstore.com)
— Ryan Thomas

Best Antiques:
The McNally Company Antiques, Inc.
Collectors come from around the world to "ooh" and "ah" over the exclusive pieces found at The McNally Company. "People tell us they don’t see things like this outside of museums," says Connie McNally, who opened the Rancho Santa Fe store with her husband, Bill, 16 years ago. "Here, though, they can actually touch and buy all these exquisite items." The McNally Company offers an eclectic mix of 16th, 17th, and 18th century Spanish Colonial, French, Italian, and English furnishings, paintings, and objects d’art, and is well renowned for its unparalleled selection of antique silver. (858/756-1922, www.mcnallycompanyantiques.com) — Lois Alter Mark