We are on a quest to seek out and select distinctive and exciting examples of design. Our journey takes us on travels -- both real and virtual -- to stores, showrooms, design centers, show houses, warehouses, antique fairs, gallery exhibits and museums, to examine quality and artistry in interior-design products. We review websites, and we read every magazine and newspaper we can get our hands on to experience what is exceptional in the marketplace. We hope you find our selections stimulating and useful. Let us know if you have uncovered a great new site or source!

George Smith

Handmade furniture, fabrics, wallpaper, hand- colored leather and kilims of the highest quality, and master craftsmanship make up the George Smith collection. Unique and classic designs for sofas, ottomans and chairs are their specialty. The Tiplady Knole sofa featured in their catalogue is of museum quality, as is most of their collection. This is the furniture dreams are made of. Their website is as innovative and special as their furniture.

The Source Perrier Collection

This collection is a "celebration of precious gifts." Featured in the sumptuous catalogue are silk hand-embroidered pillows in Directoire style, silk organza table linens, mouth-blown clear glassware enhanced by hand painted, translucent liquid gold, and toile cachepots. The designs are classic, with a subtle twist of color and form. The prices are absolutely fantastic, too! All of my next gifts are coming for this collection!

Mikesart.com

This site has hundreds of tools and thousands of resources. These include home, garden, decor and cooking topics and tools; professional design subjects and tools; career search, job and resume posting; kids' study tools; safe search and games; references, calculators, search tools and informational databases; news; weather; calendar of important dates; and fashion, wedding fashion, modeling and fashion design.

Builder's Booksource

I found this bookstore several years ago while visiting San Francisco, California. I had never been exposed to so many books about color theory, design principles, decorative style, and architectural references. No wonder this is a premier book source for builders, architects, and designers. I always visit while at their Ghiradelli Square location and leave with piles of books! (Their staff is gracious and will offer to send your books home!) They also have a very good website where anything on design can be found.

Kreiss

This company has designed and manufactured classic and comfortable furniture for 60 years. Their products blend the finest materials, finishes, textures, fabrics and accessories for a timeless elegance that mixes geographies and influences. I recently visited their La Jolla, California store and was so pleased that I could spend time with them. Go to their website and order their catalogue. The collection is an excellent choice for a whole room or an entire home! They just opened a new flagship store in Manhattan. Visit that store to get a real sense of their entire line!

The Silk Trading Company

Can't find a good seamstress to make your draperies? Silk Traders will do the job and turn it around quickly. But that is not why this is one great company. They custom-make draperies out of exquisite fabrics, with excellent color techniques and masterful designs. From simple pinch-pleat drapes of silk taffeta, to puddle drapery from an unusual rod, Silk Trading provides craftsmanship of unparalleled value! Their staff will step you through a foolproof window-measuring process once you make fabric and style choices. That part, however, is challenging! They also custom-make duvets, pillows, and upholstery. Go on line and get their catalogue and fabric sample kit. It is an experience!

Design Times

I simply love this magazine. The cover is inviting, the contents are informative and educational, the advertisers all seem to have exceedingly good taste, and the feature stories are short, to the point and insightful. This magazine is probably aimed more at the design professional and the products are often less well known outside the industry. Therefore, this is an excellent source to flip through for current projects and to archive!

Patina

Includes excellent reproduction furniture from the 17th century in Venice, Italy. The furniture is hand-painted with a selection of beautiful color finishes. They specialize in armoires, beds and tables. The styles really are representative of the period, and the overall effect is very authentic. Their website allows you to view the collection and enjoy a lively alternative to present day forms and styles of furniture.

The Directory of Design and Decoration

An Internet site that displays top designers, antique dealers, and design and travel resources for the general public. Some of the top design manufacturers are part of this site, and an alphabetical listing of products helps organize a search through the site. Take a look at Old Weavers and Stark Carpet -- they have sumptuous wares! The listings about show houses and antique fairs are particularly helpful. This is a source to see what is happening in the design world and where to go to see new products.

Stark Carpet

They have a tremendous selection of fine antique rugs and tapestries, Aubussons, broadlooms, needlepoints, Orientals and Soumaks. Their most spectacular accomplishments are their custom-made pieces. Wow! Not only can you choose and combine an overwhelming selection of colors, but also of textile types too. Their silk yarns are almost iridescent, and looking at the samples gives an idea of why these products are so expensive. There is simply nothing finer that exists. I wanted to sleep with my carpet sample, but I finally gave in and put it on the floor!

Expedia.com