A quirky little weather predictor is as much a conversation starter as it is a decor item. The wood and brass plaque that accompanies the Stormglass shows five common crystal formations in the “mysterious ingredients” in the glass chamber, which are said to predict the weather up to 48 hours in advance. Whether you believe in the premise, a bit of history—a similar instrument was mounted in the mast of the HMS Beagle —makes it interesting. Weems Stormglass, $222, www.weems-plath.com