5 Under-the-Radar Design Destinations in the U.S. That Designers Love

For finds with a particular patina and pieces that carry authentic Native American tradition, Santa Fe takes the cake. The City Different is a favorite for designer Jessica Alpert, founder of the eponymous Los Angeles-based design firm, for pieces as storied as they are unique.

“You can find things that you just don’t see everywhere else. There’s such a great mix of vintage, Native American pieces, textiles, pottery and art, and so much of it feels handmade and one-of-a-kind,” says Alpert. “Things that make a room feel collected and not overly designed. Santa Fe is so good for that!”

“People plan trips to New Orleans around restaurants, music, and partying, but the boutique hotels and architecture deserve the same treatment,” says designer Sarah Stacey. “From the French Quarter’s townhouses and hidden courtyards to the Garden District’s grand mansions and Bywater’s colorful homes, there’s so much more eye candy in New Orleans than people give it credit for.”

Regarded as one of the most cultured and vibrant cities in the country, Stacey says there is no better place to shop for those seeking a layered aesthetic with a decent dose of drama. The city’s shops are brimming with antique furniture, bold color, patina, and one-of-a-kind contemporary art pieces. In her guide to the French Quarter’s best decor finds, Stacey lists Consign Consign for the most bespoke pieces, the Ferrara Showman Gallery, her regular haunt for contemporary art, and Fireside Antiques, which is technically in Baton Rouge—but definitely worth the day trip.

Nashville has a lot to offer on the music scene, and it turns out, just as much on the design front. “In the Nashville area, there are three different neighborhoods that I always hit for sourcing. They aren't just three neighborhoods but three different cities, all with their own vibe,’ says Jenkins, who grew up in and around Music City.

Where you look really depends on what you’re hoping to buy. For Jenkins, a trip home always means a stop at Copper Fox Gallery in Leiper's Fork, where she sources one-of-a-kind artwork every single visit. Nashville proper is a trove for antique lovers, particularly Schumacher Design Shop and Eneby Home, the latter of which is by appointment only. In historic Franklin, Jenkins loves to walk the picturesque downtown district to browse Gallery 2o2 and White's Mercantile when she’s on the lookout for something a bit more eclectic.