Meet 50 Retail Stars of home décor in 2025

It’s time to celebrate Retail Stars! Home Accents Today‘s annual feature celebrates independent home décor retailers who excel in making local business work. This has never been an easy task, but in a particularly challenging business climate like the one we are experiencing in 2025, they are shining examples of what’s possible.

Retailers are listed in alphabetical order. This is not a ranking and there was no cost to be included. Home Accents Today editors compiled this list with some input from industry observers.

ABC Carpet & Home, New York and Greenwich, Conn.

ABC Carpet & Home is an iconic luxury home design retailer with two destinations, one in New York and a newly opened store in Greenwich, Conn.

The retailer started in the late nineteenth century as a push-cart business selling carpets and has evolved to offer a diverse assortment of artisan décor, rugs, furniture pieces and home collections from around the globe.

With the opening of the new store in Connecticut, ABC aims to increase brand awareness, engage the local design community, and expand its presence beyond the flagship store in Manhattan. There is also an ABC outlet in Brooklyn.

After emerging from bankruptcy a few years ago, ABC Carpet & Home has also greatly increased its e-commerce trade and invested in new technology ranging from quick-ship carpet customization to view-in-room features to 3-D color and fabric renderings for upholstery.

The company also plans to expand its retail presence at some point by entering the Los Angeles and Miami markets. — Anne Flynn Wear

Agoura Antique Mart, Agoura Hills, Calif.

The Agoura Antique Mart, based in Agoura Hills, Calif, is a vintage marketplace that includes more than 40 distinctive vendors. Eighty-three percent of the sales from the Agoura Antique Mart come from accessories, which is its focus, according to Strategic Insights research. The mart expanded the 9,000 square-foot store to 11,300 square feet last summer. Each booth offers detailed displays featuring an eclectic mix of vintage furniture, sophisticated industrial components, architectural elements, lighting and textiles, as well as a broad selection of one-of-a-kind accessories for the home and garden. Merchandise changes on a weekly basis, which allows the mart to offer genuine insight into the latest trends. The Agoura Antique Mart is a ‘one-stop shop,’ blending influences from American primitives and rural European, to casual home furnishings. The retailer’s vignettes are displayed alongside modern home décor and tabletop. We believe mixing old and new provides our customers with a vast selection of ideas and inspiration. —AFW

Alcott and Bentley, Louisville, Ky.

An institution in Louisville, Ky. since 1979, Alcott & Bentley, owned by John and Allyson Mokhtarei, took the opportunity to rebuild a memorable showroom complete with lighting, home accents and décor after the original store burned to the ground in 2006. Located in Louisville’s historic Highlands shopping district, the Mokhtareis said they do business “the old-fashioned way” by earning the trust and respect of their customers and cultivating relationships that last a lifetime. Although Louisville’s customer base leans toward a traditional design aesthetic, designers here say they know how to push the envelope by regularly changing out displays and selecting artwork, accessories and accent furniture to complement the latest lighting trends. The company’s designers also appeal to current and would-be customers through the showroom blog, a collection of deep dives into recent projects and educational articles that showcase the staff’s skill and breadth of industry knowledge. —AFW

Absolutely Fabulous, Huntington Beach, Calif.

Absolutely Fabulous, a repeat Retail Star, one of sister publication Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ Gifted Retailers, and the recipient of multiple ARTS Awards, has been in business since 2006 and is still going strong. Founder Diane Silverstein was a nurse for 20 years before becoming disabled and unable to do that type of work anymore. One day, on her way to get her nails done, she saw a “for lease” sign in an empty storefront and three weeks later, she was in the gift and home décor business, the company said. The store’s home and garden assortment reveal a sense of good fun and humor: celebratory items marked with cheeky sentiments, plenty of kitchen and dining pieces for home entertainment, and lots of gifts for weddings, anniversaries and engagements. The store is also well known for its eye-catching window displays. “Our visual displays in the windows have caused two fender benders in the car park, they are that good,” Silverstein told GDA several years ago.  – Allison Zisko

Canteen Lifestyle & Design, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

The founders of Canteen Lifestyle & Design, located in Thousand Oaks, Calif., say their business embodies the passion of doing what they love for people they love to work with. Combining home furnishings retail with interior designs services, Canteen leans into its southern California design aesthetic, taking a lifestyle approach to home décor with such categories as Found, Kitchen and Dining, Lifestyle, Textiles and Home Accents. On the design side, Canteen’s focus is creating meaningful spaces that reflect its clients’ personalities, but with a distinct stamp.

With a brick-and-mortar and digital retail presence, Canteen has been able to expand its aesthetic beyond its California roots. The retailer’s successful approach has been honored with an ARTS nomination for Home Accents Store — West. — Diane Falvey

Christopher Todd Design, Nashville, Tenn.

Christopher Todd, the founder of Christopher Todd, relocated his retail store from Las Vegas to Nashville in 2024. The interior designer still has a design office in Las Vegas, and he splits his time between the two cities. Christopher Todd Nashville had been a thought for a long time, and when Christopher Todd has a thought for too long, it probably gets done, the designer said on Instagram when he announced the new store opening.

The store is more than just a design business; it is an extension of Christopher Todd’s personal values and offers bath and body, home fragrances, holiday, floral design and men’s products. It also has an extensive online presence. —Lauren Roses

Clive Daniel Home, Florida

With residential and commercial design services and four retail showroom locations throughout Florida — Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota and Boca Raton — Clive Daniel Home covers all bases with luxury home furnishings showrooms and interior design services. The multi-pronged company has been lauded for its work, which is both “innovative and measurable,” with multiple interior design and retail ARTS awards.

In addition to its ongoing success in its core businesses, Clive Daniel is excited to announce the launch of Clive Daniel Home Automation powered by Daisy this month. This new initiative marks the designer/retailer’s commitment to becoming a one-stop shop for all its client needs — from inspiration to installation. The new franchise partnership with Daisy allows Clive Daniel to seamlessly integrate smart home solutions into its luxurious design offerings, ensuring clients enjoy both style and modern convenience in their living spaces. —DF

Coco & Dash, Dallas

Coco & Dash, the Dallas-based retailer run by the delightfully irrepressible mother-daughter design team of Teddie Garrigan and Courtney Garrigan, added to its long list of accomplishments the opening of a wholesale business in January. Its 4,000 square-foot showroom at the Dallas Market Center is an open-daily destination for designers and other industry professionals who want to tap into Coco & Dash’s timeless design style mixed with panache. Its product lineup includes its own pillows as well as goods from partners such as Thibault, Schumacher and Pooky Lighting, with more partnerships planned for this summer. The colorful new space includes an eye-catching and crowd-drawing tented area in the middle for events like trunk shows and book signings. Not known for resting, the Garrigans also host retail panel discussions with and for industry peers during the semi-annual Total Home & Gift Show in Dallas. Coco & Dash is a multiple retail ARTS Award winner.  – AZ

Dominion Lighting, Arlington, Va.

Dominion Lighting, with its flagship store in Arlington, Va., has undergone quite the transformation in the past five years. The lighting retailer, which has a second location in Chantilly, Va., has updated its store merchandising and approach, streamlining selection and adding technology to facilitate customer engagement and education. In addition to stellar customer experience, Dominion supports local artists, as well as providing social space for events. The pre-COVID changes made to the Arlington location were extended to Chantilly several years ago, garnering Dominion multiple awards. The company has won several Lightovation Showroom of the Year Awards as well as an ARTS award for lighting retail in 2024.

As the retailer has recently become a division of Border State, the experienced staff continue to pivot toward a service-based model, offering fee-based enhanced design consultation, documentation and visualization tools. Dominion Lighting is ahead of the curve as it focuses on its aim to sell partnership, inspiration and trust rather than just product. —DF

Divano Designs, Columbia, Md.

Divano Designs, in Columbia, Md, is not your typical furniture store. Established in 2009, owners Nittoo and Ginny Signh’s approach to home furnishings retail had been so successful, Divano doubled its space to almost 20,000 square feet within its first years of business.

According to the Signhs, Divano doesn’t just sell furniture; it builds relationships. “Relationships are more important than sales,” the company said. The retailer has a passion for great design as well as a commitment to offering accessible furnishings at prices within reach. With an eclectic mix of unique furnishings that encompass multiple styles and categories, Divano Designs can customize much of what it offers to suit size and color preferences, further cementing those all-important relationships.

Divano keeps its offerings fresh with frequently updated product and merchandising, allowing it to be a constantly evolving partner for its customers’ home projects. —DF

D’Amore Interiors, Denver

Frank and Marilyn D’Amore began their retail and design journey in 1980 selling handcrafted bedding and pillows in Florida. After the birth of their daughter, who is now in business with them, they visited and then moved to Colorado. In 2013, D’Amore purchased its own building in the Denver Design District where it continues to serve the home furnishings and design needs of its clientele. Through the years, the company has grown its showroom and client base via a passion for furniture and design. This family affair has proven successful for the D’Amores, with Marilyn and daughter Gina receiving accolades for their design aesthetic through magazine articles and awards, including several NKBA Design Competition Awards and an ARTS Award nomination for furniture retailer, single location.

D’Amore is known for its ability to handle design projects large and small, as well as delivering a comprehensive and beautifully merchandised retail showroom in Denver’s Design District. —DF

Duo Home, Springfield, Ohio

Duo Home, a boutique store that focuses on home brands not typically found in Ohio, is an outgrowth of a to-the-trade art production company called Itinerant Studio. In 2014, it purchased its building, a more than 100-year-old warehouse-style building in downtown Springfield, where it maintains its art studio on the main floor and painstakingly refinished the second floor for Duo Home.  It carries brands such as Norwalk Furniture, Skovby, American Leather and Red Egg while in tabletop it carries Opinel, Peugeot, Guzzini and Nordic Ware. This year, co-owner Vicki Rulli said she plans to add more tabletop, table linens and cookware. In January, the store began hosting a monthly Annex Party with an open bar, appetizers and a “super cool NYC loft vibe.” This month it is partnering with a local distillery for a tasting party. The store is also hosting a fundraiser for the local nonprofit theater and continues to work on other event ideas and collaborations. – AZ

Dwell Home Furnishings & Interior Design, Coralville, Iowa

A one-stop shop for the residents of Coralville, Iowa, and surrounding areas, Dwell Home Furnishings & Interior Design has made a name for itself by focusing on quality rather than trends, and comfortable luxury.

With a mix of furniture, lighting, décor and interior design services, this company has home design covered. Dwell encourages its clientele to use all five senses when shopping. Its goal is to provide luxurious, functional furnishings that feel comfortable, too. This focus has led to the company being a finalist at the 35^th Annual ARTS awards, among other accolades.

Most recently, Dwell added a beautifully designed kitchen vignette to showcase the timeless style and exceptional craftmanship the company delivers. Aligned with other thoughtfully curated spaces throughout the showroom, the new kitchen area highlights the essential combination of function and beauty, helping clients understand how they can elevate their own spaces. —DF

Elan Studio Lighting, Metairie, La.

Elan Studio Lighting brings its lighting and design expertise to Metairie, La., and beyond with a brick-and-mortar location and online store, both of which offer an extensive collection of quality lighting. The retailer also provides experts who can explain technology needs as well as design significance.

While lighting is this showroom’s focus, its connection to Elan Design Studio, founded by Heather Somers, provides interior design services, giving this lighting retailer an edge for customers looking to bring expert design to their homes. Somers’s approach to design combines creativity, attention to detail and a deep understanding of her clients’ needs, something the lighting retailer focuses on as well.

With an educational blog platform designed to help potential customers better understand lighting and its importance in design, as well as dedicated lighting experts to expand on that knowledge, Elan Studio Lighting elevates lighting retail and provides a knowledge center for its clientele. —DF

Embellish Home, Bowling Green, Ky.

Interior designer Lisa Marshall along with Natalie Hughes, who had many years of experience as a retail store manager and yearned to open a store of her own established Embellish Home in 2016. It is an interior design studio and home décor boutique whose assortment includes unique furniture, rugs, luxury bedding, art and decorative accessories – something for every room of the house. The store offers in-stock and custom options for all its merchandise. “Not only do we provide unique items, but also a unique personal experience where customers feel right at home in our showroom … they can look, get ideas, shop and talk with us about the complexities of making a house the home of their dreams,” Hughes told Bowling Green VIP magazine last year. – AZ

Georgia Lighting, Sugarhill, Ga.

Frank Therrien took a chance in December 2020 when he opened Georgia Lighting, in Sugarhill, Ga., at the height of the COVID pandemic. The gamble paid off, and Georgia Lighting has more than doubled its revenue since opening, has won two Showroom of the Year Awards, and has been a finalist in the ARTS Awards.

Honoring the legacy of the original Georgia Lighting, which closed in 2006, Therrien’s Georgia Lighting focuses on a dynamic atmosphere and an extensive selection of lighting and home furnishings, balancing the latest design trends with traditional tastes.

In a continuing effort to wow its clientele, Georgia Lighting pays close attention to how it handles its guests — especially in-store customers. Therrien has implemented a three-tier discount program to drive customers to higher-margin suppliers — Spotlight Manufacturers — by offering discount levels, providing significant savings to in-store customers. Therrien is also working to highlight his showroom’s comprehensive pre-tariff inventory to expand savings for Georgia Lighting’s customer base. —DF

Green Front Furniture, Farmville, Va.

Headquartered in Farmville, Va., Green Front Furniture is located on a campus in the city’s historic main street area and features nearly one million square feet of showroom space throughout 13 renovated tobacco warehouses and revitalized department stores. The retailer has two additional locations in Manassas, Va., and Raleigh, N.C. Established in 1968, founder Richard “Dickie” Cralle and Den Cralle, the current president, said the retailer’s goal is to provide customers with a “massive, yet curated and ever-changing selection” of home décor, rugs and furniture. But the Cralles say Green Front is also about making an impact in the community. Throughout the years, Green Front has partnered with organizations such as the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Richmond and Southside SPCA and the Blanton House in Richmond, Virginia. As the company looks toward the future, it has also implemented a digital inventory and point-of-sale system to improve customer experience and efficiency across all three locations.  —AFW

Home.ol.o.gy, McKinney, Texas

What do customers have to say about Home.o.lo.gy in McKinney, Texas? “Hands down the best furniture store and design in North Texas… no need to go anywhere else.”

Founded in 2015 by Ricky Phillips, home.ol.o.gy offers high-end furniture, custom upholstery, home accessories, lighting, custom draperies, linens and more. The home designs showroom also offers full-service interior design with award-winning professionals and prides itself on delivering a “creative journey experience like no other.”

Home.ol.o.gy curates its space with the highest-quality home furnishings, personally handpicking all items in the store to provide a wide array of styles designed to meet discerning customer needs.

That attention to detail has been met with approval from customers (see above) as well as accolades from the industry, having garnered design awards and nominations at such events as the ARTS Awards in Dallas. —DF

Homemakers, Des Moines, Iowa

Homemakers, in Des Moines, Iowa, has a long history in furniture retail.  Following a family tradition of excellence since the 1940s, Carl and Ina Merschman opened Homemakers in 1974. In 1985, the Merschmans opened their second location in Urbandale, a suburb of Des Moines.

While established, Homemakers has not rested on its laurels. Since inception, it has continually updated its locations, finding ways to deliver a stellar experience for its customers. The Merschmans have expanded warehouses, added cafes, been forerunners on sustainability efforts — Homemakers was the site of one of Iowa’s largest solar panel installations — and has recently updated its website.

Having celebrated its 50^th anniversary last year, Homemakers is expanding once again, breaking ground this year on a new store in Tiffin, Iowa. This expansion will add a 200,000-square-foot home furnishings showroom and create approximately 200 jobs in the region, according to the company. —DF

House and Home, Dover, N.H.
Christina Van Blake is the owner of House and Home, which is based in Dover, N.H. and currently has two locations with a third location opening this month. The first shop is called Home and is more interior design forward. Van Blake then added House & Home to include more decorative accessories as well as gifts. The third location includes 9,000 square feet of furniture and décor that includes rugs, upholstery, case goods, lighting, art, botanicals, window treatments and accessories. The store offers vignettes that have distinct styles from coastal to urban to provincial, and everything in between. All locations also host events for their local communities and recently had a locally famous cookbook author come in to promote her latest book. They also host candle making, floral bouquets and calligraphy workshops. Van Blake said she makes sure the staff is fun, talkative and helpful, so whether a customer buys anything or not, they are sure to leave happy. —AFW

Hunter’s Furniture, Foley, Ala.

Hunter’s Furniture, located in Foley, Ala., features home décor and accessories along with living room, dining room, home office and entertainment furniture. Owner Malcolm McLean opened Hunter’s in 2009. He said he only hires staff who offer “friendly, low-pressure assistance in guiding customers through the process of choosing the right furniture”. The retailer also offers unique accessories to round out the mix and a design center with knowledgeable interior designers to help clients customize their furniture. Hunter’s Furniture is also very involved in the community by sponsoring events such as the Cardinals in the Courtyard Annual Auction and Gala, Hoopalooza and the annual Sunset Supper at the Lighthouse. The company is also a member of the local South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and frequently hosts Business After Hours and other events. —AFW

HW Home, Denver and Fort Collins, Colo.

Colorado-based HW Home prides itself on offering an eclectic blend of home décor and furnishings from around the world including many one-of-a-kind pieces. The company started in Boulder, Colo., in 1999 but has now added locations in the Cherry Creek section of Denver and in Fort Collins, Colo. Accessories make up about 18% of total sales for HW Home, according to Strategic Insights research. Company owner Ron Werner believes that everyone has their own unique style and so offers a wide range of customizable options including a wide variety of fabrics and leathers for ottomans, chairs and sofas. The store also has a Make It Mine program, which allows customers to create personalized chairs and upholstered beds. While HW Home’s contemporary furniture can be viewed in-store, all items on the company’s website are available for direct shipping. All three locations also have a dedicated team of design consultants who have years of expertise in interior decorating. —AFW

Interior Illusions, West Hollywood, Calif.

Based in West Hollywood, Calif., Interior Illusions also has showrooms in Palm Springs and Palm Desert, an outlet in Cathedral City, and an indoor/outdoor showroom, called Exterior Illusions in Rancho Mirage. The company, which offers both retail stores and design services, said its primary aesthetic is derived from the mixing of proper stylistic ingredients and correct proportions to create a uniquely storied design flavor that offers hints of modern, contemporary, regency, rococo and even organic styling. Owner Mike Valles started as a designer and solo proprietor in 1999 and now employs a staff of 20. The National ART committee has awarded Interior Illusions with its “Best in The West” award and Valles is known as the go-to business for all of Hollywood, from the set designers to celebrities. Interior Illusions is also known as a product outlet and is on every major network list of places to visit for set design. —AFW

Ivy Cottage, Morrisville, N.C.
Since 1995, Ivy Cottage has been a part of the Cary/Morrisville, N.C., community. The retailer is a small independent business that is committed to offering its devoted customers quality home furnishings, curated gifts and trendy women’s fashion accessories.

Ivy Cottage started as a small family-led gift shop and has grown and expanded to a major gift and home furnishings resource in the Triangle area. Along with its product assortment, Ivy Cottage offers professional and unique design and décor services. There is no hourly charge for these services at Ivy Cottage, and it takes on clients with realistic budgets and time frames with a willingness to be creative.

Ivy Cottage has won many awards such as Cary Magazine’s best interior design company, Cary Magazine’s Best home décor and furnishings and Cary Magazine’s Best place to find a gift. —LR

J&B Home Décor & Gifts, Elkhart, Ind.

J&B Home Décor & Gifts is a 1,700 square-foot store, located in Elkhart, Ind., that offers home décor, accent furniture, gourmet treats and unique items that constantly change.

Brad Priest is owner and founder of J&B Home Décor and Gifts, which was originally known as Garber’s Interior Design. When he lost his husband and partner, Jonathan Tuft, in 2021 he took his grief and re-opened the store, a smaller and more intimate home décor and gift shop, and renamed it J&B Home Décor in honor of Tuft. He credits the community of Elkhart for supporting him through his loss.

J&B Home Décor & Gifts visitors are always greeted by Priest’s Austrian Blue Heeler, Miss Piper, along with dance music upon entering the store. The retailer also hosts private shopping parties. —LR

Jes & Gray Living, Alabama

Alabama-based Jes & Gray Living is a joint endeavor between Rockford Wholesale (now known as RW Collective) and Stock & Trade, a five-store home furnishings chain in the Southeast. Jes & Gray describes itself on its website as “lifestyle design, waterscape inspired … with a fresh and salty point of view.” It offers a full assortment of home décor ranging from mirrors, wall art and decorative accessories to candles, baskets, tabletop and kitchen items. Among its brands are American Leather, Atelier Home, Beyond Borders, Pom Pom at Home, Threads Republic and its own brand, Jes & Gray. The retailer also offers interior design services and a to-the-trade business. It operates three stores, in Miramar Beach, Fla., Alexander City, Ala., and Spanish Fort, Ala.  – AZ

Kathy Adams, Dallas

The 23,000-square-foot home furnishings showroom this retailer occupies in north Dallas serves Kathy Adams and her clientele well. Offering a full assortment of home furnishings as well as interior design services, Adams’ customers know where to go for stylish, timeless furnishings and cultivated interiors that reflects their aesthetic.

Kathy Adams showcases some of the most respected furniture and home décor brands in the industry, designed to provide custom options for her interior design and retail clients.

Merchandising that showcases room settings down to the last detail and a robust social media presence keep Kathy Adams customers in the loop. With more than 30 years in business, the industry has rewarded Kathy Adams with an ARTS Award in 2024 and several nominations, proving this interior designer/retailer has gotten the formula correct for delighting her customer base. —DF

Kenneth Ludwig Chicago, Chicago

Kenneth Ludwig is not one to rest on his laurels. The repeat Retail Star and multiple ARTS Award honoree continues to seek out new partnerships and opportunities for his Kenneth Ludwig Chicago store and to-the-trade-showroom. Two years ago, Ludwig moved his store one block west to a two-story space that allowed it to separate its trade division from retail.

Last year, Ludwig introduced a collection of vintage furniture and accessories from Le Cochon Royal, an antiques business owned by longtime friend and Howard Elliott product designer, Jody Ossman. Ludwig has also managed a robust Chairish account for more than 10 years with more than 2,000 products that drop ship from vendors. He is an active member of ART and takes time to give back to his Chicago community with events like puppy adoption days.  -AZ

Lee Douglas Interiors, Omaha and Lincoln, Neb.

“Exceptional space design should create a feeling. It should tell you something about the person who inhabits the space.” Design is personal according to Lee Douglas Interiors. That sentiment has proven successful for the interior design firm/home furnishings showroom, which has two Nebraska locations — Omaha and Lincoln.

Taking on projects from new builds to remodels and merchandising its showrooms to help clients envision the company’s aesthetic has helped Lee Douglas Interiors to inspire its clients as well as its peers. The retailer won the ARTS Award for Furniture Store, multiple locations, this past January.

Lee Douglas carefully selects its knowledgeable staff to ensure projects and purchases are seamless for its clients. Co-founder Lorele (Laura ‘Lee’) Lesoing credits her staff for the company’s success. With her husband, Doug Dittoe, the couple has built a design and home furnishings firm that will continue to enthtrall its clientele. —DF

Leon and Lulu, Clawson, Mich.

Husband and wife team Mary Liz Curtin and Stephen Scannell opened Leon & Lulu in Clawson, Mich., in 2006, rehabbing the historic Ambassador Roller Rink and making it a destination for shoppers. The 15,000 square-foot rink offers furniture, antiques, clothing, gifts, books, games and gourmet food in an eclectic environment. Curtain said Leon & Lulu is serious about exceptional design, fabulous service and fun – but they also have a sense of humor about everything else. The Clawson Theatre marquee marks the facade, but what’s going on inside the revamped movie palace is so much more. In 2016, the couple opened what they call The Show with a full stock of Michigan products, vintage items, distinctive greeting cards and more home furnishings. That same year, they added Three Cats Cafe where small plates and baked goods are served on vintage china. Detroit Magazine has named Leon & Lulu Best Furniture, Gift and Home Décor shop several times over the years, and it is a multiple ARTS Award winner in the retail segment. —AFW

Light & Day, Frederick and Ellicott City, Md.

Light & Day is a locally owned and operated full-service lighting retail showroom with two locations — Frederick and Ellicott City, Md. This family-owned retailer has established itself as a frontrunner in lighting design and implementation by focusing on the needs of its customers. The store’s representatives are knowledgeable and can assist in all lighting projects, the company says. The Frederick store opened its doors in 2008 and following that store’s success, the Ellicott City location was added. Also showcasing its success, Light & Day was honored with an ARTS Award nomination for Lighting Showroom East/Atlantic Region.

Both retail showrooms display products from more than 60 leaders in the lighting industry, featuring such brands as Hudson Valley, Visual Comfort, Kichler, Artcraft, Hinkley, Hubbardton Forge, Elk Lighting and more. Light & Day’s goal is to deliver the right quality products at affordable prices to its customers. —DF

Lightopia, Los Angeles and Orange County, Calif.

Lightopia has been a fixture in Southern California since 2006, opening its first showroom in Laguna Beach, sharing that locale’s appreciation of fine art, architecture and sustainable living. The lighting retailer quickly became involved in design projects throughout Orange County and Los Angeles. It added a website two years later, expanding its reach. In 2016, Lightopia moved into its current, larger location in the southern California Deign Center of Costa Mesa.

This lighting showroom has thrived by meeting its customers where they are and providing the expertise needed for those customers to solve their architectural and decorative lighting needs. The “Ideas” section on its website, for example, showcases easily digestible information for a wide variety of lighting applications.

Acquired by home décor group Elevated Brands in 2022, Lightopia continues to serve its community with an exemplary lighting selection. In 2024, the lighting retailer was honored with an ARTS Award for Lighting Showroom in the West. —DF

Lightology, Chicago

Lightology, a standout lighting retailer founded in 2001 in Chicago’s design-centric River North neighborhood, has won multiple awards during its tenure, showcasing it as a premier destination for modern lighting, commercial lighting and home décor. With three stories of awe-inspired designs and artwork from around the globe, this ever-evolving lighting showroom is designed to serve the specialty needs of architects, designers, contractors, trade professionals and homeowners, supported by accredited associates and a lighting learning center. Encased in glass, the 20,000-square-foot showroom flows around a central atrium and features catwalks filled with interactive features and high-end fixtures, creating a unique experience for its guests.

About those awards … While Lightology’s showroom awards date back to its early days, most recently the lighting retailer has won consecutive ARTS awards in 2024 and 2025, along with an ASID Design Excellence Award and multiple Showroom of the Year awards for outstanding merchandising. —DF

Magnolia Lighting, Mississippi

Family-owned since 1984, Magnolia Lighting has evolved from its start as a lighting and electrical supply business into a four-store retailer that spans the northern half of Mississippi and draws from the Memphis, Tenn., and eastern Arkansas markets with its assortment of lighting and home décor. Lamps and artwork are the best-selling categories in the latter. A winner of a 2025 ARTS Award for lighting showrooms in the East/Atlantic region, Magnolia Lighting has built its business on new construction activity in the area, but it has diversified its assortment and tries to target new homeowners who come for lighting but hopefully return for home accents, according to company principal Pam Whitfield. – AZ

Megan Molton Design Studio, Charleston, S.C.

Interior designer Megan Molton, the founder and chief creative officer of Megan Molton Design + Shop, is based out of Charleston, S.C. In 2022, the Megan Molton shop opened its doors to the Mt. Pleasant, S.C., community and has become a destination for local lovers of modern coastal design to shop for everything from furniture, home accessories and more.

The shop’s goal is to be a space for people to shop but also be inspired. The retailer offers accessories, art, mirrors, bed, bath, furniture, kitchen, lighting, local vendors, pillows, rugs and Molton’s personal designs and collaborations. If you can’t make it to the store in person, the retailer offers a virtual shopping concierge with a dedicated Megan Molton stylist who will help find pieces to elevate any space. —LR

Metro Lighting, St. Louis, Mo.

With close to 50 years in business, Metro Lighting began as Metro Electric Supply, after purchasing St. Louis Electric Supply from its original owners. In 1978, the new owners purchased an electrical distributor that also housed a 2,500-square-foot lighting showroom, and the company became Metro Lighting. From there, growth was swift, and by 2011, Metro Lighting had nine locations in the greater St. Louis, Mo., area, and was winning awards, such as Energy Star Excellence in Retailing and ARTS Awards.

In 2021, Metro Lighting was sold to Graybar Electric, keeping the lighting retailer firmly rooted in St. Louis, where the company maintains six locations. Metro continues to stand out locally and beyond with its commitment to the environment, ensuring its staff is well-versed in energy efficient lighting and controls. As a result, Metro Lighting has been honored with an Energy Star Partner of the Year Award – Climate Communicator. —DF

Minkology, Asheboro, N.C.

Minkology came to life in January of 2021 in the heart of downtown Asheboro, N.C., in the historic Cox Lewis building. It was acquired by Wendi and her husband Ross Mink who loved shopping at the store before they took a chance on it in 2021.

They rebranded the store shortly after acquiring it, and Minkology came to life. The Minks wanted to present themselves as suppliers of anything their customers might be looking for, from furniture to clothing to home goods. To date, Minkology has continued to expand its brands from Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to Barefoot Dreams. The inventory is varied and includes furniture, women’s items, clothing and accessories, bath and body items and homes goods. The store draws in visitors from all over North Carolina and cherishes including local vendors. —LR

Mix it Up Home, Coeur d’Alene, Id.

Mix it Up Home has quickly made a name for itself in the heart of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. An offshoot of Mix it Up Gift, its sister store that’s just two blocks away, it offers a full assortment of home décor and is known for a wide range of events, from wine tastings to book signings to art exhibits.

When it opened in 2023, the retailer went “lightly” into the furniture business in addition to extensive home décor, according to owner Beth Rich. Because so many of its customers are either tourists or locals with multiple residences, it became imperative to work with furniture vendors who could drop ship. It was a good decision, said Rich, but the store, located in the heart of the downtown district, generated such high traffic that it was hard to have enough one-on-one time to tell the whole furniture story. So, it poured more energy into home accents that customers could easily take home with them or ship. It has introduced a new pillow wall, a throw wall, a large tabletop display and a lighting section. – AZ

Mountain Comfort Furnishings and Design, Frisco, Colo.

Mountain Comfort Furnishings and Design is a locally owned retailer of unique, sustainable and quality-driven mountain-style furniture in Summit County, Colo. It has additional showrooms in Frisco, Colo., and Truckee, Calif., in the Lake Tahoe area. The retailer prides itself on offering curated selections of home décor and furniture from trusted brands, and unique finds that are exclusive to its showrooms.

The retailer is committed to sourcing sustainable and American made products and supporting local artisans. Its interior design team is available for the entire process, from the blank canvas to turning the key to move in, and offers white-glove delivery and removal options. – LR

Mustard Seed Market & Home, Blowing Rock, N.C.

Mustard Seed Market & Home got its start in 1992 when its owners Robb and Danielle Stewart left their full-time jobs and home in XXX to move to Blowing Rock, N.C., to start their first business, a garden center called Mustard Seed Market. Thirty years after opening Mustard Seed Market, the couple opened Mustard Seed Home with the help of their daughter-in-law, Madeline Stewart, in 2022. It acsells home décor and gifts including furniture, artwork, lighting, houseplants and floral arrangements.

The retailer has been voted Best Home Décor & Best Gift Shop in Watauga County for 2023 and won an ARTS Award in 2024.- LR

The Atelier Home + Design, Winter Park, Fla.

The Atelier Home + Design, founded by Christina Marie Kairis, is a premier full-service boutique design firm and luxury home décor shop, based in Winter Park, Fla. Kairis began her design firm journey as Tina Marie Interior Design in 2009, rebranding as Atelier Home & Design when she opened her shop on Winter Park’s Designer Row in 2022.

With a focus on blending styles from diverse areas to produce bespoke and expressive designs, Kairis’s work has been featured in multiple interior design publications. Her home décor retail showroom, with a brick and mortar and online presence, provides a diverse mix of décor and gift items that reflect her aesthetic.

The Atelier Home + Design has several designers on staff, but perhaps her most well-loved employee is Teddy, her VP of “Pup-Lick Relations,” aka her English Cream golden retriever, who offers up some canine comfort. —DF

Shoppe Marché Home, Kennett Square, Penn.

Located in Kennett Square, Penn., Shoppe Marché is said to be like visiting a good friend’s home — a good friend who happens to have exquisite taste. Owner Deana Johnson welcomes shoppers inside her eclectic but polished, worldly but intimate, aesthetic. The retailer carries an assortment of furniture, linens, home décor, women’s clothing and accessories sourced from around the globe.

Marché now has a design center and provides designer-only access to custom-ordered product and interior design services through Deanna Johnson Interiors. —LR

Southernite Interiors, Canton, Ga.

Nestled in historic Canton, Ga., Southernite Interiors offers a refined shopping experience. The retailer offers custom-designed furniture as well as home accents. Each furnishing and décor item is personally selected and vetted by its professional design team.

Southernite Interiors strives to create a shopping experience that captures the Southern charm and hospitality of Canton’s historic downtown. Its showroom is curated with hand selected, custom pieces and meaningful décor. The retailer also offers endless customization options for tailored sofas and chairs in addition to rugs, art, bedding, draperies and tables.

The Southernite team says it stands by important lessons that its Southern mothers taught: integrity; honest, hard work; and doing it right the first time.

Southernite is working on its online shop which will open soon. —LR

Texture Home Interiors, Johnson City, Tenn.

Nicole Teal, owner of Texture Home Interiors in Johnson City, Tenn., founded the company in 2019 as a home staging company. The location has now grown into a showroom full of accessories, décor and furniture that reflect a love for natural materials, neutral palettes, and vibrant accents to help clients customize their homes and reflect their unique personalities. Teal is a mom of six and said she has witnessed many of the facets of home life, from chaos to tranquility, so she appreciates the impact of well-designed environments. Teal said the mission at Texture Home is to bring homes to life by layering them with personality, so they are client focused, design-inspired and quality-driven. The store became a member of the Rowe Furniture family in 2023. The retailer engages with the community by hosting workshops, classes and fundraisers. —AFW

The Arrangement, Dallas and Houston, Texas

For almost three decades, The Arrangement, founded by Katherine Snedeker, has focused on handcrafted furniture that is custom designed or gathered from the far corners of the world. The company has two award-winning showrooms — Dallas and Houston — that Snedeker says are “nothing short of memorable or magical.” For customers looking for one-of-a-kind pieces, Snedeker adds that The Arrangement is the place to go.

Beyond its eclectic mix of product, The Arrangement puts a strong focus on sustainability, with responsible wood sourcing for product development and manufacture, and curatorial purchasing. The Texas retailer has been a proud member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council since 2008, setting a positive example for its peers and doing its part to protect the world’s forests. For its efforts, The Arrangement has received multiple awards including being recognized with a High Score two years in a row on the SFC’s Wood Furniture Scorecard. —DF

The Atelier Home + Design, Winter Park, Fla.

The Atelier Home + Design, founded by Chrstina Marie Kairis, is a premier full-service boutique design firm and luxury home décor shop, based in Winter Park, Fla. Kairis began her design firm journey as Tina Marie Interior Design in 2009, rebranding as Atelier Home & Design when she opened her shop on Winter Park’s Designer Row in 2022.

With a focus on blending styles from diverse areas to produce bespoke and expressive designs, Kairis’s work has been featured in multiple interior design publications. Her home décor retail showroom, with a brick and mortar and online presence, provides a diverse mix of décor and gift items that reflect her aesthetic.

The Atelier Home + Design has several designers on staff, but perhaps her most well-loved employee is Teddy, her VP of “Pup-Lick Relations,” aka her English Cream golden retriever, who offers up some canine comfort. —DF

The Collective, Dallas, TX

Whether its full interior design services or finding that unique piece that will anchor a room, The Collective, in Dallas, TX, has it covered. Showcasing the same luxurious aesthetic as in its design services, The Collective’s retail team helps its customers find the right pieces for their homes, whether handcrafted or thoughtfully sourced. Focusing on a custom experience for its guests, The Collective offers custom furniture, custom bedding and pillows, art consultations and commissions, and drapery and wallpaper services.

Sarah Hargrave founded The Collective in 2013, which embodies her passion for promoting local artists, crafting custom furnishings and curating unique vintage pieces, all rooted in the belief that home should be inviting, attainable and personal. With its unique style, The Collective has been featured in multiple regional and national shelter magazines, such as Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful and Martha Stewart. —DF

Ultra Design Center, Denver

Family-owned Ultra Design Center started out as a door and cabinet hardware company serving mostly builders and designers. When it entered the lighting category in 2019, it approached the business as a blank slate that could be presented in a compelling way with dedicated and committed salespeople, according to managing partner Kevin Castelo. The Denver-based lighting showroom, which carries brands such as Allegri, Allora, Kuzco, Eurofase, Currey & Co., David Trubridge and Visual Comfort, among many others, received a retail ARTS Award in January for its efforts.

It’s currently working on building a new 3,000 square-foot space dedicated to wellness products such as the first solar-powered sauna in the U.S., in addition to steam and cold plunge.  “As far as I can tell, there isn’t anything like this in the U.S., which will make this showroom a true destination for Colorado and beyond,” Castelo said. – AZ

Whites Mercantile, Nashville, Tenn.
Whites Mercantile is known as a general store for the modern tastemaker.

In 2013, the retailer opened as an attempt to fill a shopping void in Nashville, Tenn., save an iconic old gas station and revitalize the concept of a general store, and how has turned into a retail phenomenon that boasts five locations across the southeast and more on the horizon.

The retailer promises an unforgettable shopping experience that covers all the bases – from Bloody Mary mixes to dog treats, handcrafted leather bags to classic soap bars to the extensive apothecary and home décor.  All locations now include artwork by Chris Coleman and original antiques. Essentials for every family member can be found at Whites Mercantile. —LR

Wishbone Home Design, Lake Oswego, Ore.

Looking for home inspiration in Lake Oswego, Ore.? Look no further than Wishbone Home Design. Founded in 2014 by Kim Nilles, Wishbone was driven by Nilles’s passion for interior design. From gifts to full-service design, Nilles and her team come together with a variety of design talents to assist new and repeat clients in their community and across the nation.

The beautifully curated store and online shopping experience delivers everything from jewelry and books to home décor and furniture, giving customers multiple reasons to come back and shop again, bringing beauty to their lives and homes.

On the design side, Wishbone offers services that range from home accessorizing and styling to custom finishes and professional installation. The company’s mission is to create design that reflects its clients’ vision and lifestyle. —DF