Georgetown, in Washington, D.C., has always been a haven from the maelstrom of politics that swirls farther down the Potomac. With its elegant Federal town houses and exquisite small gardens, Georgetown is a bastion of conservative taste, especially when it comes to the antiques that grace its lovely homes. Recent years have brought a new group of antiques shops to Wisconsin Avenue, whose sophisticated wares are attracting buyers from all over the country. "When I moved to this area twelve years ago," says antiques dealer David Bell, "it was practically a design desert. Now there is a whole cluster of shops, and we have become a destination." Renowned antiques dealer Marston Luce agrees. "I think there's a more cosmopolitan view in Washington today than there was before," he observes. "There's a younger eye, if you will."

The Four Seasons 2800 Pennsylvania Ave.; 202-342-0444; 800-819-5053; fourseasons.com), situated at the edge of Georgetown, makes a perfect base for shopping. A pleasant stroll up Wisconsin Avenue from M Street will introduce you to some of the neighborhood's more intriguing shops. Start your trek by turning left onto O Street, where you will find one of Georgetown's most venerable emporiums located next to one of its newest. Since 1980, the Susquehanna Antiques Company (202-333-1511), at 3216 O Street, has specialized in fine 18th- and 19th-century American and English furniture, paintings and fine arts. Recent discoveries include a Federal mahogany work stand from New York ($5,400) and an 18th-century banister-backed side chair from New England ($750). Almost the entire second floor is devoted to owner David Friedman's collection of more than 600 period picture frames, such as a twenty-by-twenty-four-inch 18th-century Dutch example in faux tortoise ($2,400).

Next door, at 3218 O Street, is Côté Jardin Antiques (202-333-3067), which opened its topiary-flanked doors in April. As its name implies, the shop has a wide selection of unusual French garden furnishings, including rare late-19th- and early-20th-century faux bois carved cement objets. A handsome faux bois bench ($6,700) would make a wonderful garden accent, as would the sizable faux bois carved birdhouse ($9,500). Owners Nopporn Khaewpong and Basil Kavalsky divide their time between Washington and France. Almost everything in the store is imported from France, except for a few spare, elegant Swedish pieces.

Back on Wisconsin Avenue, turn left and begin your ascent of the hill. At No. 1524, Darrell Dean Antiques (202-333-6330) is a must for admirers of the eclectic look. Dean, who studied painting at George Washington University, exults that "antiques purists really hate my shop!" He excels in artfully combining seemingly incompatible objects. An extensive collection of 19th-century Filipino santos (images of saints—from $250 to $3,600) contentedly coexists with a group of four elaborate mid-19th-century Venetian grotto chairs carved in the form of scallop shells ($24,000). Nearby are baskets filled with silvery metal hands once used in the manufacture of gloves ($35 each). "Too much uniformity really makes me nervous," says Dean, who is particularly fond of 1970s American furniture.