Honolulu has a new interior design and gift shop with an impressive pedigree.

Place owner Mary Philpotts McGrath, one of Hawai'i's most respected interior designers and author of "Hawai'i, A Sense of Place," has sophisticated taste, and it's evident in each hand-picked item, from candles and baskets to lamps and furniture. She calls the shop a design atelier, and it feels like a personalized, carefully edited collection of beautiful things.

"I love stuff!" McGrath exclaimed. The shop represents years of worldwide collecting, far more "stuff" than she could ever contain in her own home. There are items from Cambodia, Thailand, India, China and Indonesia, to name just a few of the countries.

While the shop serves interior design clients, there are also plenty of items for those just starting out with a new home or searching for the perfect hostess gift in the $5 to $25 range. Think eco-friendly table mats, anyday cotton napkins in earthy colors and shell napkin rings.

"It's really all about personalized accessorizing," McGrath said. The lamps (more than 200 of them) are a standout, as are the eclectic bamboo furniture, celadon vanity sets, area carpets and elegant textured floor mats.

Place will rotate art by established and emerging artists. In typical Island style, it will also honor ethnic holidays. Right now, for example, the focus is on China and Japan, for Chinese New Year and the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Place, at 40 S. School St., is open from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; 275-3075.

Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.