5 Under-the-Radar Design Destinations In The U.S. That Designers Love
AIThis post was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI).

TL;DR

Before you orderOffer from Amazon

Get pool and patio gear delivered free with Prime

  • Fast, free delivery on millions of items
  • Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
  • Member-only deals all year
Start your free Prime trial Free trial for eligible customers · Cancel anytime
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

A House Beautiful report highlights five U.S. cities and surrounding areas that designers recommend for design-focused shopping and inspiration: Portland, Atlanta, Santa Fe, New Orleans and Nashville. The recommendations are based on designers’ experiences and named shops, galleries and architectural areas; they are not a ranking or a guide to current inventory.

A House Beautiful report identifies Portland, Atlanta, Santa Fe, New Orleans and Nashville as U.S. destinations designers recommend for antiques, art, architecture and other design finds. The article offers specific shops and neighborhoods to explore, presenting designers’ recommendations rather than a ranked list or an independently verified measure of each city’s design scene.

In Portland, Maine, designer Jennifer Hunter points to early American maritime memorabilia and folk art, linking the city’s coastal identity with objects suited to homes seeking a classic Americana look. The source does not name particular dealers or stores in Portland.

Atlanta is recommended for vintage and antiques. Laura Jenkins of Laura W. Jenkins Interiors names Westside Modern for mid-century pieces, Scott Antique Market for browsing, and Peachtree Battle Antiques for finds selected by her team. In Santa Fe, Los Angeles designer Jessica Alpert highlights vintage, Native American pieces, textiles, pottery and art, describing the appeal as handmade and distinctive.

Designer Sarah Stacey directs attention in New Orleans to its architecture and interiors, including French Quarter courtyards, Garden District mansions and colorful Bywater homes. She names Consign Consign, Ferrara Showman Gallery and Fireside Antiques in Baton Rouge as places to visit. Jenkins recommends sourcing in the wider Nashville area, including 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 historic Franklin.

At a glance
reportWhen: Published by House Beautiful; no public…
The developmentHouse Beautiful has published a designer-led guide to five U.S. destinations it says are overlooked for design, art, antiques and distinctive architecture.

Where Designers Source Beyond Major Hubs

The guide gives readers a practical alternative to treating design shopping as limited to the best-known markets. Its recommendations connect local character with specific kinds of sourcing: maritime objects and folk art in Portland, mid-century furniture in Atlanta, regional art and textiles in Santa Fe, and antiques and contemporary art in New Orleans and the Nashville area.

For travelers, the article’s value is its concrete starting points, not a guarantee of what will be available. Named stores can help shape an itinerary, while the designers’ comments offer clues about the styles and materials they associate with each place. Availability, opening hours and appointment requirements can change, so travelers should confirm details directly with businesses before making plans.

Amazon

American maritime folk art decor

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

Five Cities, Distinct Design Finds

The report is framed around designers’ professional experience and personal sourcing habits. Jenkins says Atlanta is often overlooked as a destination for vintage and antiques despite its design profile and the presence of ADAC. For Santa Fe, Alpert emphasizes objects that feel collected rather than mass-produced. Stacey’s New Orleans recommendations broaden the focus from shopping to the city’s built environment, while Jenkins describes three distinct sourcing areas around Nashville.

The selections are editorial recommendations, not the result of a stated survey or a formal comparison of U.S. design markets. The article does not provide prices, store addresses, opening schedules, or a method for defining “under-the-radar.” Its scope is best understood as a curated set of designers’ suggestions, with the shopping and neighborhood details varying by destination.

“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 Jenkins, Laura W. Jenkins Interiors

Amazon

mid-century vintage furniture

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

What the Recommendations Do Not Establish

The source does not say when each business was last checked, whether all are currently open, or what inventory they have now. It also gives no prices, opening hours or full travel details; Eneby Home is specifically described as appointment-only. The article does not quantify visitor numbers or establish that the destinations are less visited than other design markets. Its descriptions of the cities as overlooked reflect the cited designers’ views, not a measured finding.

Amazon

Native American pottery and textiles

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

Check Shops Before You Travel

The report does not announce an event, opening or policy change, and it gives no future milestones. Readers considering a trip can use the listed businesses and districts as leads, then contact shops and galleries directly to confirm current hours, appointments, location and stock. For destinations beyond the city center—such as Fireside Antiques in Baton Rouge or galleries in Leiper’s Fork and Franklin—travelers should verify routes and plan time accordingly.

Amazon

antique and vintage home accessories

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

Key Questions

Which five destinations does the report recommend?

The five are Portland, Maine; Atlanta; Santa Fe; New Orleans; and the Nashville area, including nearby Leiper’s Fork and Franklin.

What can visitors look for in Atlanta?

Designer Laura Jenkins recommends vintage and antiques, naming Westside Modern, Scott Antique Market and Peachtree Battle Antiques. Check with businesses for current hours and inventory.

Which New Orleans areas does the guide highlight?

It points to the French Quarter, Garden District and Bywater for architecture and visual character, as well as shops and galleries including Consign Consign and Ferrara Showman Gallery.

Are these destinations ranked or verified as less visited?

No. The report presents designers’ recommendations; it does not provide a ranking, visitor data or a defined test for whether a destination is under-the-radar.

Source: rss

HALLOWEEN

Halloween Picks

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

You May Also Like

Summer Tips & Hacks for the Ninja Foodi 8 Qt DualZone Air Fryer

Maximize your summer cooking with tips and hacks for the Ninja Foodi DualZone Air Fryer. Save time, cook smarter, and enjoy family meals outdoors.

Housing Bill

The new housing bill is set to become law at midnight, but former President Trump states he will not sign it, raising questions about its future.

Summer Snacking Made Easy with the Ninja Air Fryer 4 Qt

Discover tips and hacks for perfect summer meals and snacks using the Ninja Air Fryer 4 Qt. Enjoy healthier, crispy treats with ease this season.

Summer Recipe Ideas with the Ninja Air Fryer NINJA AIR FRYER (10QT XL)

Discover easy, summer-friendly recipes and meal ideas using the Ninja Air Fryer’s double-stack design, perfect for feeding the family at poolside gatherings.