Pictured Above: The interior of Nickey Kehoe’s New York shop.
Anyone who's shopped for home decor or furniture online knows how overwhelming the experience can be. While product pages can tell you the exact dimensions of a sofa or dining table, they can't always tell you whether the quality lives up to the photos—or whether a piece is actually worth the investment. Add in an oversaturated market where countless retailers sell nearly identical items at vastly different price points, and finding something truly special can feel like a challenge.
So where do you turn when you've exhausted your usual go-to retailers and still aren't inspired? That's where the experts come in.
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We asked interior designers from across the country to share the home stores they quietly rely on for unique, high-quality finds. While these under-the-radar shops may not be household names just yet, they're trusted sources for standout furniture and decor. Keep reading to find the 23 home stores that designers love and have been gatekeeping—until now.
“Spartan Shop is one of my favorite places to discover beautifully made objects by independent makers. Their edit of ceramics, lighting, furniture, and home accessories has an understated, architectural quality that layers effortlessly into sophisticated interiors. It’s an incredible source for pieces that feel unique without being flashy.”
“June Home Supply is my go-to for architectural details. Their unlacquered brass hardware, hooks, and bath accessories have a timeless quality that feels inspired by old European homes while still working beautifully in contemporary interiors. Thoughtful hardware is one of those finishing touches that quietly elevates an entire home.”
“Nickey Kehoe has a timeless, collected aesthetic that I always find inspiring. Their pieces feel warm, relaxed, and thoughtfully made, and I love how they balance classic design with unexpected character. It's a wonderful resource for furnishings and accessories that never feel overly trendy.”
“There’s a really cute vintage shop in Darnestown, Maryland, called Heirloom. They do a great job of curating their finds for both home and lifestyle, and the owners are really fun to shop with. It feels like entering your super cool grandma’s home, in the best way.”
“Amy Meier is a frequent destination for our projects. They have introduced a compelling signature line alongside an edited assortment of vintage finds that speak to a well-lived life.”
“1818 Collective is experiential and immersive, even with its online presence. While the in-store experience is tremendous, the virtual side continues to narrate the chic, collected mix of new makers alongside vintage finds.”
“Beautiful Mess is one of my favorite sources for layered, collected interiors. Their mix of European antiques, artisan pieces, vintage finds, and striking black and white photography always inspires me. Every visit uncovers something unique that adds warmth, character, and a sense of history to a home.”
“Beautiful, thoughtfully curated pillows with an emphasis on quality and timeless patterns. Pride of Place’s collections layer effortlessly together, making it easy to create a custom look without feeling overwhelming.”
“One of our go-to sources for vintage rugs. Brass Anchor Collective’s inventory is beautifully curated, and they consistently offer high-quality pieces with rich character that anchor a space.”
“This is a Denmark-based brand, and we love sourcing accessories from them. They always have interesting pieces that are well-priced and feel very chic.”
“Although well-known in Atlanta for their 65,000-square-foot showroom, what you might not know is that the amazing team at 14th Street Modern consults and ships to customers nationwide. They have high-quality pieces for a wide range of aesthetics, and homeowners have access to furniture, lighting, art, and fabric from brands that traditionally sell exclusively to the trade.”
“In Goleta, California, there is a charming shop called MĀCHER that we adore for its curated selection of housewares. It's our go-to stop when we’re hunting for beautifully hued taper candles, special gifts, and lovely, functional everyday essentials.”
“There’s a store I love called The Well that’s hidden away in the foothills of Santa Barbara. They have a gigantic greenhouse as their showroom and carry tons of art and elevated outdoor furniture, fountains, and planters that you will never find online or in a catalog. They also carry a lot of highly curated vintage furniture and art—at every turn, there’s a vignette that’s so perfectly placed, you want to go home with every last treasure!”
“While beautiful accessories are widely available, discovering those truly distinctive, one-of-a-kind pieces that bring authenticity and personality to a space is far more elusive. It's these carefully curated finds that elevate an interior, adding character, telling a story, and ensuring a home feels uniquely its own rather than simply well decorated. If you are not afraid of color and love maximalism, Yeliz The Studio is a must. From lighting to decor and even art, I always find something that catches my eye.”
“Roman and Williams Guild in New York City tops our list. It's a masterclass in luxury curation, filled with one-of-a-kind pieces from working artists—and the attached restaurant is just as beautifully considered as the shop itself.”
“I couldn't make a list of my favorite home sources without including Regina Andrew. Their lighting, in particular, has a way of becoming part of a room's architecture rather than simply hanging from the ceiling. Every time I browse their collections, I find myself stopping on a piece and imagining an entire room built around it.”
“Wentworth is one of those places I almost hesitate to share. Owner Gregory Blake Sams draws inspiration from his travels around the world, creating a collection that feels beautifully curated, distinctive, and unlike anything you'll find elsewhere. I'm always drawn to its thoughtful mix of home décor, tabletop, and garden pieces—it's often where I find the finishing touches that give a home depth, character, and a quietly editorial feel.”
“For textiles, I'm continually inspired by de Le Cuona. Their fabrics celebrate the beauty of natural fibers, with rich textures and an understated elegance that only becomes more beautiful over time.”
“One of my favorite home stores is Merchant Modern in Los Angeles. I stumbled across it on a sourcing trip a few years ago, and it's become one of my first stops whenever I'm in the city. The shop is owned by mother-daughter duo Denise Portmans and Sara Marlowe Hall, who is also an incredibly talented artist. They have such a distinctive eye for sourcing vintage furniture, discovering emerging artists and ceramists, and curating pieces that feel soulful rather than trend-driven.”
“I love visiting Maude Woods in Pasadena whenever I'm on the West Coast because there's always something unexpected to discover. It's the perfect blend of vintage and new, and it's my go-to for finding one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and clients. It's the kind of store filled with things you don't need, but that make you unreasonably happy the moment you do buy them.”