As house editor Southern LivingI spend a lot of time looking at beautifully decorated houses and asking designers where they found things. (Of course, it’s a perk of the job to ask questions that don’t lend themselves to polite conversation, like “Where did you get that?” and “How many square feet is the house?”). So where To do designers store? If you don’t think these are all trade shows in New York and flashy boutiques on the streets of Paris, think again. You might be surprised by where designers shop for decor, and some of them may be places you already frequent.

Vintage Stores and Antique Malls

“I never get tired of cleaning the parts local antique shops and/or shopping malls, especially when traveling,” he says Atlanta decorator Laura Jenkins. “Often more regional stores cater to their typical customers who may prefer different items than what you are looking for, which can often result in a good deal!”

Real Estate Sale

Designers look everywhere for the right piece, so they scour estate sales to find hidden gems. “If you like the excitement of hunting, you will have the most fun here,” he says. Isabel Ladd, designer from Lexington, Kentucky. “But they are also great places to be creative. “An old globe can be turned into a table lamp for a child’s bedroom, a large basket can be used as a pendant light, and the sky is the limit when it comes to upholstering or refinishing well-made furniture.”

Garden Stores

Don’t discount home accessories at your local garden store or nursery, as many sell small items as well as plants and flowers. Charlotte, North Carolina, decorator Gray Walker’s go-to, a family-owned spot in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, just outside of Charleston: “Be patient for a while “A unique garden shop where I can find unexpected stone sculpture pieces that I can place in my garden or even on a stylish stand in the bookcase.”

Social Media

Next time you scroll, make an effort to find People and stores selling vintage and antique pieces online. “I have found and connected with many vintage and antique dealers through Instagram over the years,” says Jenkins. “Whether it’s small items, art, or furniture, it’s been a great way to access stores around the country that I would never have known about if I hadn’t gone there.”

Big Box Stores

While it’s great to shop small and local when you have the opportunity, there’s no denying that affordability and convenience are also important factors to consider when furnishing and decorating your home. “I’ve had a lot of luck sourcing accessories and home decor items “I use Target, Amazon, and Home Depot online when I need something in a hurry, especially for installation or photography,” he says. Covington, Louisiana, designer Megan Evans. “I love the mix of high and low, and if you dig deep enough on these sites you can find amazing tabletop pieces, glassware and accessories. When you pair these items with designer fabrics and custom furniture, they can fool even the pickiest eye!”

Tradesmen Market Places

Whether you’re checking out a local craft fair or shopping online, it’s always a good idea to support small producers. “We’re having good luck with Etsy.com and Wescover.com,” he says Austin decorator Kristen Nix. “Both feature artisan-made elements that add a unique, handmade element to the space.”

Museum Stores

Don’t discount your pit stop at the gift shop. “I love exploring museum stores whenever I visit because there are so many unique gifts, from household items to books to artwork,” says Jenkins. “Of course you can also shop online with the likes of MoMa.”

Great State of Texas

People don’t travel to the Lone Star State just for honky-tonks and breakfast tacos; The interior design scene is spectacular, too, from Dallas’ ultra-exclusive spots to treasure-filled pastures in Round Top. “I was just in Dallas with Texas native Maggie Jones on my design team, and the saying that everything is bigger in Texas, including shopping, rings true,” he notes Richmond, Virginia, designer Elly Poston Cooper. “In between a visit to Meredith Ellis’s lovely store, the James Showroom; Wolf Hall, a dreamy antique store owned by Ann Schooler; and thanks to the huge variety in Ann Sacks flooring, we will definitely be back.”

Another surprising spot in Dallas to collect fun home items? Rise No 1 is a soufflé restaurant. “This is my favorite unexpected place to shop for small household items like kitchenware,” she says Jean Liu is a designer who lives and works in Dallas. “The owner has a wonderful collection of glassware and tea towels for every occasion.”

Beyond the city limits, there is also the state’s famous antique center. Round TopHosting three shows each year. “We love our annual trips to Round Top; we find countless treasures there,” he says Jason Bell, Design Director at Blackberry Farm Design in Walland, Tennessee.