As an interior designer, the secret to discovering those perfect pieces that elevate a space lies not only in having a discerning eye but also in knowing where to search and when to act. Sourcing represents a vital part of the profession—a meticulous treasure hunt requiring patience, a deep understanding of quality, and the ability to recognize exceptional value.
The ultimate aim is to select items that harmonize timeless elegance with contemporary trends, deliver outstanding craftsmanship, and offer fair pricing. This explains why I rely on a carefully curated list of trusted sources—venues and events that consistently fulfill these criteria. Being aware of the timing of sales or the launch of new collections by designers I admire allows me to maximize value for both my clients and myself.
The vast and often overwhelming landscape of home goods becomes manageable through a thoughtfully selected array of dependable resources. Whether acquiring major furniture pieces strategically during promotional periods or uncovering unique decorative objects that infuse personality, I balance the convenience of online platforms with the curated experience provided by physical boutiques. Let us explore the key qualities I seek and the sources where I frequently discover them.
1. **Investing in Big Ticket Items Like Sofas and Sectionals**: Investing in foundational pieces such as sofas and sectionals remains one of the most astute decisions when designing a living space. These items often serve as the central anchors, defining both comfort and style. Securing pieces that blend timeless appeal with contemporary design, exceptional quality, and fair pricing represents the ideal scenario.
Brands like Article, recognized as the pinnacle of direct-to-consumer excellence, provide optimal opportunities through major sales events. Their Fourth of July Sale, offering discounts of up to 40 percent on hundreds of items—including new releases and best-sellers—presents an ideal occasion to acquire these essential pieces at significant savings. Such purchases represent long-term commitments to your home’s aesthetic and comfort, ensuring enjoyment for years to come.
Timing a purchase during these events allows you to extend your budget without sacrificing the quality or design integrity that anchors your room’s character. This approach reflects a guiding principle: exercising patience to invest in large-scale furniture only when the conditions offer maximum value and impact for the overall design scheme.
2. **A Versatile Ottoman**: Ottomans are design chameleons, offering extra seating, serving as a footrest, or even substituting for a coffee table with the addition of a tray.
This versatility makes an ottoman an invaluable addition to almost any room. Whether placed in a living room, bedroom, or even a large hallway, it adds a layer of comfort and functionality. The option of different finishes, like white faux shearling, allows for customization to fit various design aesthetics.
Picking up a quality ottoman during a sale is a smart way to add a functional and stylish accent piece. The significant discounts available make it easy to justify adding this adaptable element to a space, providing extra utility and a touch of texture or color.
3. **A Classic Dining Chair : Dining chairs are essential pieces of furniture designed to provide comfortable seating around a dining table. They play a crucial role in defining the style and atmosphere of the dining area. Typically, dining chairs offer ergonomic support for extended seating during meals and gatherings, combining functionality with aesthetic appeal.
These chairs come in a variety of materials, finishes, and styles to complement diverse interior designs, ranging from classic to contemporary. Their design often balances durability and comfort, featuring supportive backs and well-proportioned seats. Beyond the dining room, dining chairs can also serve versatile roles in other spaces such as home offices or living areas, adding both practicality and style.
4. **A Functional Cabinet**: A functional cabinet is an essential piece of furniture in any well-organized home, offering a practical solution for storage while enhancing the room’s aesthetic appeal. It provides versatile space that combines open shelving for displaying cherished items such as trinkets or books, alongside concealed compartments to keep clutter out of sight.
This dual-purpose design helps maintain a clean and personalized environment, making it ideal for living rooms, dining areas, or home offices. By showcasing favorite decor pieces while discreetly storing less attractive belongings, a cabinet strikes the perfect balance between style and functionality.
Investing in a cabinet with both design appeal and practical storage capabilities simplifies organization and elevates the overall look of any space, making it a smart and stylish addition to the home.
5. **Courtyard by Chuck Chewning, Savannah, Georgia**: For those seeking to infuse a sense of wild inspiration into their homes, particularly outdoor spaces, Courtyard in Savannah stands out as an essential destination. Established in 2022 by designer Charles “Chuck” Chewning, this venue, located within the city’s National Register Historic District, serves as a genuine tribute to high-end indoor and outdoor essentials. It challenges the conventional notion that outdoor furniture is less significant than indoor pieces.
At Courtyard, outdoor areas receive as much thoughtful design as interiors. The collection features a range of items, from Regency-style patio chairs to bold outdoor pillows crafted with weather-resistant fibers, alongside elegant teak lanterns. The seamless blending of indoor and outdoor elements here enables the creation of cohesive and stylish living environments that extend naturally into gardens or patios. Witnessing outdoor design elevated to this standard is truly inspiring.
6. **Eneby Home, Nashville**: Nashville has emerged as a vibrant design hub, with Eneby Home standing out as a premier destination for high-end vintage furniture infused with European elegance. Known to many from the Round Top Antiques Fair, Eneby Home’s permanent showroom in Nashville operates by appointment only and serves as a treasure trove for discerning collectors. The husband-and-wife team, Doug and Carina Jenkins, have been meticulously assembling this collection for nearly two decades, earning a reputation as highly trusted experts.
Their expansive 15,000-square-foot showroom and warehouse showcase an exquisite selection of handpicked pieces sourced from across Europe, including Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. Visiting Eneby Home offers the unique experience of a curated antique journey through the continent without leaving Tennessee. For those interested in exploring their remarkable inventory, following Eneby Home on Instagram provides an excellent preview.
The focus on specific European countries ensures that each item carries a distinct history and refined design sensibility. Whether seeking a statement furniture piece or a subtle decorative accent, Eneby Home provides access to vintage treasures that elevate interiors and imbue spaces with a rich global narrative.
7. **Schumacher Store & Boutique, Nashville**: Schumacher is a revered name among designers and decor enthusiasts, known for its exquisite fabrics, wallpapers, and trims. In 2022, the brand opened its first freestanding showroom since 1998 at 609 Merritt Avenue, Nashville. This showroom offers an inspiring environment filled with an extensive collection of wallpapers, fabrics, and trims that any design devotee would desire.
Beyond textiles, the boutique features a diverse selection of decor items, including coffee-table books, wall art, furniture, and pillows. What distinguishes this location is its seamless fusion of contemporary releases with a curated collection of antique pieces. This blend exemplifies the harmonious balance between historical richness and modern style that many designers aspire to achieve.
Visiting the Schumacher showroom provides an immersive experience, offering a comprehensive resource for selecting textiles that can transform interiors. The inclusion of furniture, art, and carefully chosen antiques completes the opportunity to find essential elements that define a space, all within Schumacher’s celebrated aesthetic.
8. **Bridget Beari Home Store, Richmond, Virginia**: Bridget Beari Home Store, located in Richmond’s Fan District, is a premier destination for those seeking to infuse their homes with authentic Southern charm. Led by principal designer Susan Jamieson, the store presents a curated collection characterized by her distinctive “rustic yet refined” aesthetic. The design offerings here beautifully capture the essence of warm Southern hospitality.
The store features an extensive range of home accents, including candles, vases, and poufs. These carefully chosen pieces introduce warmth, texture, and personality, transforming any space into a welcoming home. Beyond decorative accents, the store also offers an impressive inventory of wallpaper and paint, serving as essential resources for designers and homeowners undertaking significant renovations or design projects.
Having a reliable source for both foundational materials and key decorative elements proves highly convenient. Bridget Beari Home Store successfully addresses every aspect of interior design, ensuring that every surface—from walls to the smallest details—reflects thoughtful and harmonious style.
9. **Found, Birmingham, Alabama**: Located in Birmingham, Alabama, Found is a unique destination dedicated to making antique shopping approachable and inviting. Situated in the Pepper Place District, this appointment-only haberdashery removes the exclusivity often associated with antiques. Their active social media presence offers regular updates featuring their latest discoveries, making it easy to explore remotely.
Their feed highlights larger statement pieces such as Louis XVI balloon back dining chairs, elegant French faux-bamboo dressers, and an array of framed prints and paintings. These antiques serve as captivating focal points that bring history and distinctive character to any space.
While antiques are the primary attraction, Found also offers an Essentials collection featuring tables inspired by classic designs. This thoughtful combination allows customers to blend authentic vintage items with newly crafted pieces that maintain a timeless aesthetic. This approach provides a seamless balance between tradition and modernity, perfect for curated interiors.
10. **1stDibs**: Exploring the digital landscape of design, 1stDibs has become a trusted online source for high-end, historic, and one-of-a-kind pieces for over 25 years. The platform serves as a premier destination for discovering extraordinary items unavailable in traditional retail spaces, offering collectors and designers a seamless way to source distinctive finds from around the world.
With thousands of new listings added each week, the platform’s scale is impressive. To guide users through the expansive inventory, 1stDibs relies on in-house experts to assemble thoughtfully curated collections. These selections are instrumental for those seeking pieces within a particular style or period, or simply looking for inspiration.
Among the offerings are remarkable items such as an Art Deco chandelier crafted from Murano glass, a rare glass-front cabinet from Japan, and sculptural teak sconces from 1950s Sweden. 1stDibs presents a refined, accessible way to bring global history and design into the home, making it an invaluable resource for those looking to elevate interiors with truly exceptional pieces.
There you have it – a mix of trusted online giants, incredible curated boutiques, and exciting designer collaborations that are always on my radar when sourcing for projects. From finding those investment pieces during a sale to discovering unique antiques with a past and exploring collections born from designer partnerships, the world of home decor is full of possibilities. Knowing where to look is half the battle, and these spots consistently deliver the quality, style, and unique finds that help create truly special homes. It’s a constant adventure, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
