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House Beautiful has published a guide to five U.S. destinations designers recommend for sourcing distinctive home furnishings and experiencing design beyond the best-known hubs. The designers highlight different strengths in Portland, Atlanta, Santa Fe, New Orleans and the Nashville area, from maritime memorabilia and antiques to Native American art, architecture and contemporary galleries.
House Beautiful has published a guide to five U.S. destinations that interior designers recommend for design-minded travelers, highlighting Portland, Atlanta, Santa Fe, New Orleans and the Nashville area for antiques, art, architecture and distinctive local finds. The recommendations offer alternatives to trips centered on more familiar design markets, although the article presents expert opinions rather than a ranking or an independently measured assessment of each city.
The destinations are presented for different reasons. Designer Jennifer Hunter recommends Portland, Maine, for early American maritime memorabilia and folk art, linking the city’s coastal character to the kinds of objects visitors can find. In Atlanta, designer Laura W. Jenkins points to vintage and antiques, suggesting Westside Modern for mid-century pieces, Scott Antique Market for browsing and Peachtree Battle Antiques for finds selected by her team.
Designer Jessica Alpert highlights Santa Fe for vintage items, textiles, pottery, art and Native American pieces. In New Orleans, designer Sarah Stacey directs attention beyond restaurants and music to the city’s architecture, including French Quarter townhouses and courtyards, Garden District mansions and colorful Bywater homes. She also names Consign Consign, Ferrara Showman Gallery and Fireside Antiques, the last of which is in Baton Rouge rather than New Orleans.
For the Nashville area, Jenkins describes three distinct sourcing stops rather than one city-only itinerary: Leiper’s Fork, Nashville proper and historic Franklin. Her suggestions include Copper Fox Gallery in Leiper’s Fork, Schumacher Design Shop and appointment-only Eneby Home in Nashville, and Gallery 2o2 and White’s Mercantile in Franklin. The report does not provide opening hours, current inventory or travel logistics for these businesses.
Where Design Travelers Can Look
The guide matters to readers planning a trip around interiors because it connects specific local shops and cultural features with the kinds of objects or experiences designers say they seek. Rather than treating every destination as a general shopping district, the recommendations point to distinct interests: maritime and folk art in Portland, second-hand furniture in Atlanta, handmade and regional art in Santa Fe, architecture and antiques in New Orleans, and galleries spread across the Nashville area.
These are professional recommendations, not guarantees of what a visitor will find. Shops may change their stock, hours or access policies, and one Nashville-area retailer is appointment-only. Travelers should check directly with businesses before making plans, particularly when a shop or gallery is a key stop.
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Five Cities, Different Design Strengths
The source is a House Beautiful report drawing on interviews with designers. It frames the locations as under-the-radar design destinations, but it does not set out criteria for that label, compare visitor numbers or establish that the places are overlooked by all travelers. The article’s evidence is the designers’ stated preferences and named recommendations.
The advice also reflects different ways to travel for design. Some suggestions focus on shopping for antiques, artwork or furnishings; others include looking at buildings and neighborhoods. New Orleans is discussed both as a source of objects and as an architectural destination, while the Nashville recommendations cross municipal boundaries into Leiper’s Fork and Franklin. The list is a set of ideas, not a ranked itinerary or a claim that these are the only worthwhile destinations.
“Atlanta may be known as a design hub (we have ADAC after all), but I think it is often underrated in terms of people traveling here for vintage and antiques.”
— Laura W. Jenkins, designer
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What the Guide Does Not Establish
The source material does not give the report’s publication date, define how it selected these five destinations or provide evidence that they are objectively less visited than other design hubs. Its descriptions of local shopping and the cities’ appeal are attributed to individual designers, not presented as independently verified market research.
It is also unclear whether the named businesses’ current hours, inventory and visitor policies match the descriptions in the report. The article offers no pricing, accessibility details or confirmation that every shop is open to walk-in visitors; it specifically says Eneby Home is by appointment only. Readers should confirm practical details directly before visiting.
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Check Shops Before Planning Stops
The report does not announce a follow-up, event or future milestone. For travelers, the next practical step is to contact the recommended shops and galleries to confirm hours, appointments, location and current stock, then plan travel between neighborhoods and nearby towns. The source identifies Fireside Antiques as being in Baton Rouge, so visitors considering that stop should account for the separate day trip Stacey recommends.
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Key Questions
Which five destinations does the report recommend?
House Beautiful’s designer-led guide names Portland, Maine; Atlanta; Santa Fe; New Orleans; and the Nashville area.
What is Atlanta recommended for?
Designer Laura W. Jenkins recommends Atlanta for vintage and antique shopping, naming Westside Modern, Scott Antique Market and Peachtree Battle Antiques.
Where does the guide suggest looking for art and handmade pieces?
Jessica Alpert recommends Santa Fe for a mix of vintage, Native American pieces, textiles, pottery and art. The report attributes that assessment to her experience and does not provide a complete directory of local sellers.
Are all the recommended Nashville-area stops in Nashville?
No. Jenkins’s recommendations span Nashville, Leiper’s Fork and Franklin. The guide also says Eneby Home in Nashville is by appointment only.
Should visitors confirm details before going?
Yes. The report does not list current hours or inventory for the businesses, so travelers should check directly with each shop or gallery before visiting.
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