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LondonLace - A Boston-based site that features 30 differing window covering patterns, ranging from contemporary to antique Scottish lace. Many patterns are more than 100 years old and, in some cases, based on patterns from even earlier times. There are overstocks, discontinued items and irregulars included in their Internet specials. The Scottish lace is made of 95% cotton with 5% polyester and the Madras is 100% cotton woven lace. As well as panels, you can obtain yardage.
Luna Garcia - Handcrafted, signed and dated pottery by Cindy Ripley who began the business in 1979, using a pseudonym for a fictitious Latin American potter. Elegant shape forms using matte and gloss glazes of simple but delicious-looking colors.
McAdooRugs.com - This Bennington, VT site not only has beautifully crafted rugs of original and antique designs, but kits that can be ordered for the do-it-yourself rug hooker. Oxford Punch needles and rug hooking frames are available on the site and photos of hooking directions, tools, and tips on hooking rugs will be available in the future. Custom designs can be made up from a favorite photo (even of your house), children's art or another source for design. American flags, antique floral reproductions, hats and shoes, as well as wildflowers are just a sampling of the design themes employed. There are some stores noted that do carry the rugs, too, in a retail setting.
Maine Cottage Furniture - A wonderful collection of 150 furniture designs much like that you see at estate and tag sales, but new. Unfortunately, you can't purchase any of it online at the moment, but there is a store locator that will display the nearest retail dealer once your zip code is entered.
It's hard to categorize Marimekko and its sister site, Kiitosmarimekko. Those of us who used it in the 60s for home furnishings have been aware of its clothing fashions, characterized by muumuu sized smocks, pants and dresses. We still have a bedspread that we made out of the material (a wonderful blending of deep scarlet and brown, an exotic floral that many would think uncombinable) and recently we passed on to a daughter decades-old placemats made from Marimekko's oilcloth material, perfect for children's mealtimes.

Marimekko has been taken up by clothing designers and is being used by the young as a trendy look. We recognize it for its accessories, bedding and wallcoverings. Girls' clothing, size toddler-10, have been made using their fabric. We've used material from the category 'sample cuts' and specials to stretch on frames for headboards and 'fabric paintings.'
Metaphor Bronze - As Fine Homebuilding put it, "who said tile has to be ceramic?" Solid bronze relief tiles framed in hardwood are available to order from the site by toll-free phone; bronze and nickel silver tiles for installation are viewable but have to be ordered from a supplier and are on display from 100 tile showrooms and directly to architects and designers. They're a bit pricey for an entire room but perfect for accent areas. The categories for the framed tiles are epicurean, timberline, botanicals, the sea, welcome plaques and extras including Southwest themes.
MethodHome - Shopping the green route is beginning to appeal more and more; I think of the rashes I developed after using harsher products, the odor, the warnings. Here's Method's philosophy and the products accompany this view:aAt method, we call ourselves "people against dirty." And for us, "dirty" doesn't just mean the stuff that gets between the tiles in your floor. It means the toxic chemicals that make up many household products, it means polluting our land with non-recyclable materials, its means testing products on innocent animals… these things are dirty, and we're against that.
Mission Tile West - I'd be hard pressed to actually make a selection from this site as there are some many handsome designs to choose from. However, don't let that deter you. The company offers their own line of tile, Revival, and they represent many hard-to-find designers from around the world. Mission Tile West specializes in the Arts and Crafts style. And they reputedly have the best reproduction of the Batchelder, Catalina, and Malibu styles of tile. They also have bricks and mortar stores in South Pasadena and Santa Monica, CA.
Modern Seed - Part of a husband and wife team (Offi.com is their furniture manufacturing company), Modern Seed is California based. Quilts, wall coverings, shelving, clothing for the family, airplane carryons as well as other totes and bags, new baby gifts, mobiles, wall graphics — you name it, it's all imaginative, well constructed and stylish. The furniture carried on the site represents Offi designs as well as BlueDot and other manufacturers.
MossOnLine - A New York design haven is sassy, smart and while only a part of what they've got available at the bricks and mortar store, still enough for a pleasant surf. They even make it fun to interact with their offerings, but because of the technology that's part of the site, it takes a while to load these elements. Fortunately, Alessi is one of the manufacturers but I must admit that the "Buildings of Disaster" and the Texas Book Depository were a bit of a surprise.
Motawi Tile - An Ann Arbor, Michigan based studio specializing in quite beautiful Arts and Crafts style tiles. If you're not near a retailer that carries Motawi Tile, a catalog is available for ordering. The catalog is printed with black and white images, so naturally the Web is useful for getting an idea of glaze colors, though there are color tearsheets accompanying the catalog. Some of the patterns lend themselves to a linear display or are in a mural form.
Museum of Useful Things - A site that sells steel storage baskets, library stools (the kind the rolls around), restaurant-type napkins holders, glass and chrome soap dispensers and sturdy steel bins. There are silver matte lunch boxes, corkscrews, a message go round made for the restaurant industry to spin orders (great for that home office), swim locker baskets and a needle threader (something we all will need eventually)...the list goes on and on and you wonder how you've made out without this site and these products.
New England Artisans Guild - A loosely banded group of craftsmen and women whose work revives the styles and philosophy of the Anglo-American Arts & Crafts Movement. The J.R. Burrows & Co are specialists in decorative furnishings supplied in the English tradition, featuring Arts & Crafts Movement wallpaper, furnishing fabric and William Morris carpeting. The Scottish lace curtains are quite marvelous and particularly useful in Victorian homes but there are also patterns suitable for cottages and bungalows. Candace Wheeler's fabrics, C.F.A. Voysey's wallpapers and fabrics, the Morris' carpets and the Burrows' designs are all a delight for those of us who admire Arts and Crafts. Friezes and wallpaper from the designer Jennie B. Jones are included.
NotNeutral - Bold patterns and colors are represented at this site in their pillows, barware and fabric by the yard. A newer, 'quieter' pattern is termed Blue Floral. Reminiscent of '50s designs that we grew up with, they also make fun gifts including some child items such as wall decorating decals. Dinnerware, glasses, candles, mugs with lids, decks of cards are all reasonable and colorful.
Michael Pascarella Stained Glass - A portfolio of beveled, stained glass for entryways and windows...even if you're not in the market for either, they're a treat to view. Pascarella is based in New Jersey.
Nichibei Potters - Mikio Matsumoto, a former commodities broker, and Cheryl Costantini, who spent six years Japan working at three potteries, have combined their skills to produce ceramics with the 'elegant tradition of Japanese folk art with a contemporary flair.' Works include bowls, vases, teapots decorative vessels and jars, sculptures, porcelain animals and dinnerware many using a jade green color that is achieved by applying a copper glaze to porcelain clay and high-firing it in a gas kiln at 2,400 degrees. There's an unexpected but welcome sense of humor that appears in some of their sculptures and animals.
Oriental Carpet Tutorial - The Victoria & Albert Museum's Textile Curator from the department of Furniture, Textiles and Fashion, Jennifer Wearden, has put together a very instructive set of short videos. You can download a QuickTime player for the videos easily, if necessary.

Starting with the basics of carpet structure — the warp, the weft and the knotted pile — you'll learn pointers about oriental carpets such as: How to tell the top of a carpet from the bottom by stroking it like a cat; three ways to stop the edge of a carpet from fraying; the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical knots; how to calculate the fineness of a carpet by counting the number of knots per square inch; how to tell when the weaver has made a mistake; the way in which different batches of wool dye can affect the look of a carpet; why iron-based dyes can make the wool rot and fall out.
Outwater.com - Architectural products from a Wood-Ridge, NJ-based firm, covering such diverse offerings as rolling library ladders, beadboard wainscoting, decorative appliques, mouldings, wrought iron elements (including railings, gates & grilles), bath & kitchen cabinetry, hardware, stamped steel ceiling panels, wall light sconces, drapery brackets and corbels. Yes, there are even busts available: small Beethovens, Mozarts and Shakespeares in addition to the eternally popular David by Michaelangelo.
Patrick Meyer Studio - We met Patrick at the Fort Mason, San Francisco ACC Show and admired his work. There are bath and desk accessories such as marvelous pewter hand and sun-shaped soap dishes, razors, great shaving brushes, toothbrush holders and mirrors with imaginatively shaped handles The desk accessories are equally imaginative: letter holders, picture frames, note pad and envelope holders. Drawer pulls and knobs display some of the escargot and woman/man themes while gift items such as serving implements, candle sticks, card cases are superbly imagined.
Period Homes - This site styles itself as "Your Internet Portal to 557 Suppliers of Historically Styled Residential Products" and is compiled by the editors of Period Homes Magazine. A good start for those of us who like to act as our own contractor on residential projects or at least decide on the materials to be used.
On Board Fabrics - Although they claim at the site that "we can't offer every fabric on line," this Maine-based company has put together groupings of their favorite fabrics online in generous numbers. Classic prints by such names such as Waverly and P. Kaufmann are in evidence and you can view unusual prints and interesting colorations. Some classifications of fabrics include crewels, nauticals, botanicals, Toiles, chenille tapestries and vintage denim stripes. In addition, there are fleeces, outdoor fabrics, novelties, Balinese cottons and woven plaids to choose from. The Italian tapestries sport themes that are New England coast and northwoods in nature.
Platemark - Here's how Platemark Gallery describes itself: The Platemark Gallery specializes in decorative and fine art prints from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries. Our goal is to provide high quality works on paper at reasonable prices to both the casual admirer and serious collector. To do this, we employ the unique opportunities of the internet to offer works previously available only through obscure print shops and fine art galleries. Our collection originates from sources throughout Europe and America, and we have spent much care and effort to create a collection that is both aesthetically pleasing and informative.

Architectural, Botanical, Classical Mythological, Historical & Topographical, and Religious categories are available.

For instance, a copperplate engraving of a Portrait of Caesar Augustus Pater, c. 1650 is priced at $45. An engraving of The Villa Barbaro by Palladio produced in c. 1715 is priced at $95. An engraving of a Orange Abutilon Hibiscus hand-colored from the 1837 quarto edition of The Botanist by Benjamin Maund is priced at $75. Some works are priced upon request.
Oriental Lampshade - We never did get around to going to this bricks and mortar store before we left the East Coast but it maintains a reputation for being one of the best places in New York City to find a lampshade. The site, by providing a How to Measure page seems to reduce the anxiety of this most difficult of all judgment calls in decorating: fitting a lampshade. (Is the shade too large or too small, is it too deep or not deep enough, too wide, too narrow). Custom silk, paper, and string lamp shades are available to choose from.
Peerless Rugs - Peerless Imported Rugs, based in Chicago, carries most name brands and, in some cases, acts like a broker in that if you've seen a rug elsewhere, Peerless will quote you their own price. Many of the prices appear to be discounted and the inventory is impressive: Missoni, Nature's Loom, Tufenkian, Couristan, Karastan, Safavieh, a line of 'designer' rugs and many others. Use the site directory for the style, color, shape of rug you're interested in. They also carry a line of tapestries and pillows.
Pewabic Pottery - One of the historic Arts and Craft America potteries still functioning with exhibits, classes and tiles to be commissioned. Oh, to be near in order to take classes.
Pierre Deux - The famed French country look in furnishings, lighting, decorative accessories, books and tableware. Fabrics range from marvelous Provençal prints to toiles de jouy and woven textures and there are wallpapers to coordinate with the fabrics. We've used the Provençal prints in shower curtains, shades and spreads. There's also a link to the Cordon Bleu website from this site. You'll probably recognize their cloth print bags which have been popular for years and make great little overnight bags, handiwork bags or a purse.
Raindogs - Hard to classify this Oregon-based site when it has such disparate gifts as a garden solar system wind sculpture, Skagen watches, Ayala Bar jewelry and organic baby clothes. There are gourmet dog treats, Côté Bastide Amber, Marimekko note cards and that most practical desk accessory, a paper mouse pad.
Rennie MacIntosh - A selection of gifts, pewter ware, crystal jewelry, clocks, bar ware, vases, table decorations, picture frames and furniture from the designs of the master Scottish architect. A number of the personal gifts were designed with the co-operation of Glasgow School of Art. The site does not represent an official site for the architect's estate. Books and videos about MacIntosh are available also.
ReproDepotFabrics - Vintage reproduction fabrics, buttons, ribbon, retro gifts and clothing. There are marvelous T-shirts in a humorous vein, retro dresses in eyelet, plaid and fruits patterns as well as pajama bottoms with names such as Island Girls in blue, Gamblin' Gals in green, Outdoorsy Gals, Lil' Cowpokes, Happy Housewives and Cowgirl Cuties. The fifties fabrics are represented by such choices as Glamour Girls Silhouette, Women's Work and Route 66 License Plates! The button sets are adorable, the ribbon selections sweet.
Restoration Hardware - "Objects that surprise us, that speak to the heart, to our favorite memories. So, in the pages that follow, you'll see a hand-picked range of distinctive, high quality and most often unique finds for your home and garden."
Revival Fabrics - Whether you are a quilter searching for 1920's -1950's cotton fabrics, a designer of 1960's retro clothing, or looking for vintage couture fabrics, Revival Fabrics are fun and authentic-looking, from a paisley to Batman, florals, fruits, Foulard Medallion, hot pink satin, Netherlands Windmill & Tulips and so on. A wonderful trip through the decades of fabric design.
SilkTrading Co. - A California-based fabric concern with textiles produced at their own mills in theory contributing to lower prices. There are 2,000 designs available using silks, taffetas and damask for their draperies. Production and mail order teams help with gathering the measurements and swatches are sent to you.
SchweitzerLinen - This site has a marvelous selection of choice linens to choose from; quite a number are made in Italy and France, woven of Egyptian cotton. It's possible to get close-up looks at swatches, find answers to faqs, e-mail with questions. Robes, nightgowns, slippers, p.j.s, towels, bedding, blankets, pillows, soaps and table linens are among the items available.
Charles Shackleton Furniture & Miranda Thomas Pottery - This Bridgewater, VT based business has examples of their work at their own store in Woodstock and at Berkeley, CA and Traverse, MI locations. Most of Charles' pieces are his interpretations of classic and traditional designs. The retail locations in Vermont include a wide range of pottery, wooden accessories, and furniture. One of the pages at the site explains the motifs used in the pottery patterns and there is a section of pieces on sale or as seconds.
Silk Road Textiles - This Austin, Texas based firm has images of some of their fabrics which include 30 types of silk, linen, cotton, tencel and other blends. Their fabrics are for dressmaking, home decoration or bridal occasions. The cotton is real organic cotton, grown in pesticide free fields. Other cottons include Batik and Ikat, William Morris cotton prints, and superfine cotton pique and natural cotton batiste. More than 50 colors of natural linen are stocked as well as several linen prints with a wide variety of European fabric. Silk Road carries buttons, has a section on fabric care and a swatch service.
SmithandNoble - An online window treatment site with fabric shades, cornices (both fabric and wood), metal blinds, honeycomb shades, roman shades and valences and wood blinds. We've furnished a condo with custom made Smith and Noble's blinds and shades with great success and satisfaction.
Stencil-Library - Stencils are an inexpensive method to add a decorative element to your home regardless of the room you choose to use them in. Most people tend to think of children's rooms (the Alice in Wonderland motif is quite charming here) but kitchens, libraries, bedrooms, dining and living rooms can benefit from this technique. This English provider has a mail order catalog, too.
Sue Johnson Custom Lights and Shades - We must admit we haunt this shop and by now, have far too many lamps. The shop is known for its mica shades that go so well with arts and crafts lamps, but the shop is popular for many other types of shades, mostly custom made ranging "from tiny table lamps with mounted Netsuke to four-foot wide ceiling canopies of golden mica decorated with natural leaves." The staff is knowledgeable (and we would assume that extends to phone conversations) as well as cordial.
Susan Sargent - An assortment of very attractive rugs, glassware, pillows, bedding and ceramics. More of a handmade look with designs and production done by individual companies. Unfortunately, you can't order on line but there is the opportunity to contact boutiques around the country and there is e-mail.
Switchhits.com - One of our daughters tipped us to this site, knowing that we were always on the hunt for good-looking switch plates But this site has so much more, in terms of home furnishings done with whimsey and style: wall fountains for the home including a spectacular (but pricey, of course) reproduction of a segment of Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel with distressed tiles complete with lights and hardware.
TableLegs.com - Don't be put off by the label, 'Solutions for the Serious Woodworker.' These ready-made legs, aprons and mortising are available for completing tables, beds or vanities. Matthew Burak's letter on the site makes clear his concern for materials and details. You can order the legs and aprons, making it your own by adding a top made from a stone or metal or other wood. Bathroom vanities (again without a top or fixture) can be ordered. Sheraton, Hepplewhite, William and Mary, Queen Anne and Shaker are among the styles to choose from. Architectural columns and bed posts and finials are also part of their catalog.
Thomas Moser Furniture - Beautifully made furniture of American black cherry, guaranteed for the life of the piece. The design ties itself to the classic Japanese joinery, Arts and Crafts, American Shaker and to the Bauhaus design movements.
Totem design - This company has been a staple of modern home design websites for quite a while. The sensibility is fresh, the design well thought out, the applications practical. The ubiquitous Karim Rashid's work is in evidence, children's pieces attractive, floor coverings are unique and easy to integrate with most situations but these all come at a price so don't say I didn't warn you.
Twenty2 - Sometimes, less is more and this firm demonstrates that in the use of wallpaper. Although we've all been aware of and perhaps used wallpaper 'borders,' these are a bit different. They make what they've termed as wallbands, strips that can be used in horizontal, vertical or diagonal situations. The bands are prepasted and activated by water, washable and easily removable. Designed by Kyra and Robertson Hartnett, the firm is located in Brooklyn, New York.
Unika Vaev Textiles- The company has a group of marvelous fabrics relating to the Bauhaus period and other craft sensibilities from the early 20th century. Fabrics tend to range from $35 and higher per yard. Samples will be sent upon request. Detailed instructions about ordering exist on the site.
MicheleVarian - A stylish selection of pillows, throws, duvet covers, bedspreads and floor cushions. Since I can't afford to slipcover the couches and chairs in my home, I find that changing pillows and throws can provide that seasonal variety that is welcome. The colors that Varian uses are beautiful and the accents of felt appliqués, embroideries, beading, velvet trim, tassels and leather ties are interesting. Scrims to cover unsightly areas or to provide a divider are a good idea.
Vermont Botanical - We've seen Maggie Lake's botanical creations at the Lyndhurst, NY, Paradise in Northampton, MA and Westport, CTcraft fairs. We found the botanicals engaging and fresh. Some of her materials are gathered in Vermont; others as far away as the Alaskan Tundra.
Ann Wallace & Friends - This online catalog is divided into two parts, one for custom curtains and shades (or a kit if you sew yourself) and for hand embroidered and stenciled pillows, table linens, and embroidery kits. The handsome prairie textile designs are reminiscent of such classic craftsman innovators as Mackintosh and Stickley. Some design motifs are the Mackintosh Rose, Sue Ellen's Lily Pine cone, Sunflower, Ivy, and Checkerberry. There are also embroidery kits for cushions available and fabrics range from velvets to theatrical gauze. The curtains in our office are from Ann Wallace and we're very happy with the quality and fit of our ordering process.
Waterware - One of the most inexpensive ways to freshen up a bath is to install a new shower curtain. This site has curtains, waterdrapes, winflatables (beach balls and plastic pillows) and place mats in a number of printed and molded designs (floral, botanicals, fish, abstracts). Little known facts from this Virginia based company are: winflatable pillows spice up Michael Douglas' resort bedrooms and hundreds of their beach balls pumped up an Arnold Schwarzenegger pool party!
Wiemann Ironworks - The work of these craftspeople is much in demand; the dwindling numbers of those entering the craft make their skilled product difficult to find and costly. Founded in 1940, Wiemann Ironworks specializes in design, fabrication, and installation of custom metalcraft. Although they are located in Tulsa, OK, they have delivered and installed finished pieces in sixteen states. The firm does work in both public and private spaces. In all cases you'll have to communicate by phone or by email.
William E. Poole Designs Inc - A home designer based in Wilmington, NC has created house designs including a variety of styles from Low-Country to French Country Cottages. For what they term 'a limited time' you can view the basic floor plans (excluding Williamsburg) at no charge. The Williamsburg,VA designs are based on notable buildings in colonial Williamsburg, reproducing 18th c originals with interiors using layouts that reflect a more modern lifestyle. "These designs range in size from 2047 to 4555 square feet and each is created with exacting details lovingly gleaned from the originals." The Williamsburg Foundation has licensed Poole to replicate the foundation's houses. A biography of William Poole is available on the site. Construction drawings are available to be purchased online or over the phone.
Wiretracks.com includes on its site an explanation of their conduit connectors (they're installed behind baseboards), pplications for that product: home theater and stereos, computer networking, telephones, alarm systems, cable television, smart house technologies, surveillance, intercom systems and music equipment. There are instructions for installation on the site.
Wonderful Graffiti - We've always been fond of using sayings and script to decorate a house ... in a dining room, kitchen, child's bedroom or wherever. This Ohio-based firm makes up text designs from their stock of very thin pieces of vinyl. "A light adhesive holds them firmly on the wall until you're ready to remove them. (Think Colorforms and Post-It notes.) Vinyl makes Graffiti flexible, durable, and washable. It's extreme thinness and hand-applied matte finish make it look like it's been literally printed on the wall. (And not like vinyl at all.)"

An example of the pricing is one saying three inches high and four feet long would be about $25. There are classic quotations, labels, chalkboard, refrigerator and holiday collections to be chosen from as well as a demo to illustrate just how simple the process is.
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