20. Shopkeeper Secrets: Washington, DC

Salt & Sundry’s Amanda McClements reveals vintage boutiques, chic cocktail bars, and other insider spots in America’s cool capital.

Amanda McClements sells inspired tableware, art, and gifts at her Salt & Sundry boutiques in Washington, D.C.

For my “Secrets of the Shopkeepers” series, I caught up with Amanda McClements, proprietress of Salt & Sundry, a pair of boutiques in Washington, D.C. selling art, gifts, graceful tableware, and a sunny lifestyle. At her shops in Logan Circle and Union Market, Amanda epitomizes the creative, smart, and stylish side of my adopted hometown. Here, she details where to dine, shop, and escape into nature around the District.

Tell me more about you and your stores.

I'm the founder and creative director of Salt & Sundry, a collection lifestyle shops based in D.C. My passion is encouraging people to create spaces that nurture their well-being.

Candles, pottery, plants, and more headline at Salt & Sundry in Logan Circle.

What’s the story behind the brand name?

I love salt! Oysters, anchovies, olives, fries, just about any beach. Salt makes me happy, and my mouth is watering typing these words. It gets a bad rap—I'm an evangelist for why salt shouldn’t be demonized from a health perspective.

Sundry brought in miscellaneous objects and had a throwback, mercantile feel. I love the alliteration when you link those words. What I didn’t realize is that sundry is a word plenty of people aren’t familiar with. So we often hear “sun dry” and, my favorite, Salt & Sultry.

How has the brand’s mission grown or changed?

I've always felt passionate about helping people live better—to love the spaces they live in, love in, entertain in. But the pandemic really reinforced that. Our homes became a source of solace, and helping people feel inspired and comforted is what we do. We're also passionate about supporting independent makers, designers, and artists, especially women and people of color.

Clockwise from left: Salt & Sundry sells Nopalera scrubs and soaps, East Fork pottery, and a range of pillows and books.

What are some of the brands and items you stock?

I’m crazy about the collections from textile designer Swati Bansal of Soil to Studio. Her use of vibrant color and traditional block print techniques—inspired by her hometown of Udaipur, India—make stunning pieces. I'm also excited about new candles and fragrances from Nopalera, irreverent creations like the sardine hair pin from Rachel Pfeffer, and gorgeous pottery from East Fork.

You recently remodeled your townhouse. Tell me more!

It's a work in progress! To squeeze Mediterranean vibes into my old Victorian home, I added pottery from Spain and Greece. My husband was based in the Middle East for a time and we've been incorporating his pieces from Syria and Lebanon.

Amanda recently renovated her Logan Circle townhouse, filling it with vintage art (from GoodWood) and Spanish (from Salt & Sundry). “I love this mother-of-pearl inlaid chest my husband got it in Beirut when he was there as a foreign correspondent,” she says.

Your stores are in two of D.C.’s coolest neighborhoods. Where do you hang in each of them?

I've lived in Logan Circle for more than 20 years now so it’s like my village. My go-tos? A bar seat at Etto for little fishies and wood-fired pizza; Jane Jane for cocktails (I love a low-alcohol Adonis); Izkaya Seki for pristine Japanese food; and Maydan for a true feast. For shopping: GoodWood [antiques and women’s clothing] and Rice Market [Asian groceries and cookware].

Artful cocktails and cabin-chic decor headline at Jane Jane, a bar in Washington, D.C.'s Logan Circle.

Across town, the Union Market District was an amazing place to launch Salt & Sundry, and the neighborhood has an incredibly vibrant scene now. For food: Greek goodies at Mastiha; lamb pita at Yellow; bubble tea at Spot of Tea; and La Shukran for a special night out if you can get in. Tacos from Apapacho inside La Cosecha [a Latino food hall] fuel our team meetings.

For Union Market shopping, I like Shelter [sleek jewelry]; Ron David Studio [innovative fashion for men and women]; Three Littles [children’s clothing]; and Vintage Vintage Vintage [throwback housewares and clothing].

Jewelry at Shelter boutique includes pieces made by its owner, Mallory Shelter, as well as multiple indie designers.

Where do you go for inspiration around the city?

I love hosting a cookout at Fletcher's Cove and hitting the Billy Goat Trail followed by drinks at Old Angler’s Inn. Two more faves? The National Arboretum in azalea season and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in lotus season.

Kenilworth Aquatic Garden draws McClements during summer’s lotus bloom.

Are there any D.C. artists or local makers you are bullish on?

I recently met Katharine Heyl who creates these amazingly intricate string works, and we're excited to work with her in the coming year. Two of my favorite artists to watch who we've worked with for years are Charles Philippe Jean-Pierre and Kristin Gaudio Endsley.

Which hotels do you point out-of-towners to?

With the future of The Line very much in question, I direct guests to Eaton.

Guest rooms at the Eaton hotel, in downtown D.C., are furnished with quirky artisan goods.

You are also a frequent traveler. Where do you like to go?

Tiny islands, often but not always Greek, are my happy place. Recent favorites have been Formentera, Spain; Folegandros, Greece; and Pantelleria, Italy

Amanda McClements enjoying coffee (and a kaftan) on Pantelleria, a tiny Sicilian island between Italy and Tunisia.

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