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Designers know things home decorating novices don't. Where do you get that spectacular sink that makes your bathroom so memorable? Or the perfect pendant lights for your kitchen? Ever stress over finding the right pulls for your drawers or the hardy yet handsome hardware for your cabinets? And, where do you get those cabinets? The way of the big box retailers is one well-traveled road, but if you want something uniquely you, what do you do? Of course, you can simply hire one of the designers—a surefire way to success. But another alternative is to pick their brains for their favorite shops. An occasional member of the designing community scoffed at the notion of sharing the coveted information. But others, a dozen to be exact, generously listed their go-to places. The same store names pop up again and again. But occasionally a hot new spot (e.g. Blue Boat Designs) shows up in the mix, and the off-the-beaten-track stores (e.g. The Tallman Co.) crop up as well.

Holly Blumeyer, Holly Blumeyer Interior Designs

1. Custom Cabinets: S.W. McMillan, 597 Hanley Industrial, 314-644-4535
2. Hardware and accessories: Design Elements, 8121 Maryland, 314-863-9356


Emily Castle, Castle Design

1. Cabinets: RSI Kitchen & Baths, 9700 Manchester, 314-222-4400
2. Plumbing: Crescent Plumbing Supply, 640 Rosedale, 314-727-4200
3. Walker Zanger tile: AMC Tile Supply, 9215 Dielman Industrial, 314-995-9900


Colleen Ertl, Diane Breckenridge Interiors

1. Hardware: Locks & Pulls, 11935 Manchester, 314-835-0911; Design Elements


Jeanne Hood, Three French Hens

1. Hardware: Locks & Pulls


Krista Howard, Directions in Design

1. Hardware: Locks & Pulls; Design Elements
2. Custom Cabinets: Baygents Co., 117 W. Argonne, 314-965-5250; RSI Kitchen & Baths
3. Plumbing, sinks, fixtures and tile: The Tallman Co., 8642 Pardee, 314-843-4466; Kohler Plumbing: Crescent Plumbing Supply
4. Tile products: Trends in Tile, 12887 Pennridge, 314-209-7719; Ceramic Tile Service, 1610 Hampton, 314-647-5132
5. Ideas and concept shopping: Merchandise Mart, Chicago; Dallas Market Center; Atlanta Trade Mart


Laure Hullverson, Cortinovis & Hullverson

1. Pulls and tiles: AMC Tile Supply
2. Custom Cabinets: Cutter's Custom Kitchens and Baths, 2878 Manchester, 314-965-5700; The Tallman Co.
3. Plumbing, sinks, fixtures and tile: The Tallman Co.
4. Fixtures: Madelyn Lane's Hewitt & Hitchcock, 23 N. Bemiston, 314-863-2787; Fine Light Ltd., 7314 Manchester, 314-781-3233


Tracy Katz, The Lawrence Group

1. Bath and tile products: Hastings' showroom, The Merchandise Mart, Chicago
2. Faucets, fixtures, tiles (including Ann Sacks) and accessories: The Tallman Co.


Linda Kusmer, Total Interior Designs

1. Knobs: Susan Goldstick, www.susangoldstick.com
2. Hardware: Haefele America, www.hafeleonline.com; Collection Richelieu, www.richelieu.com


Tom Manche, Tom Manche Interiors

1. Lamps and accessories: Brody's Lamps and Accessories, 2300 Big Bend, 314-647-3318; Madelyn Lane's Hewitt & Hitchcock; Finches Antiques & Consignment, 7729 Clayton, 314-725-2622; Davis Place, 7731
Clayton, 314-727-9850; The Designing Block, 7735 Clayton, 314-721-4224; A.J. Brewington's, 4722 McPherson, 314-361-5373; Antique Center of St. Louis, 4732 McPherson, 314-361-1746
2. Bathroom accessories, fixtures, lighting: Centro Modern Furnishings, 4727 McPherson, 314-454-0111
3. Wooden casegoods, seating, accessories: Niche Home Furnishings, 922 Washington, 314-621-8131
4. Custom cabinets: Archway Kitchen and Bath, 1257 Dougherty Ferry, 636-861-9600


Rose Roberts, Rose Roberts Interior Design

1. Custom cabinets: RSI Kitchen & Baths
2. Hardware: Locks & Pulls
3. Glass tile and porcelain sinks: Expo Design Center, 14205 Manchester, 636-536-3500


Dana Romeis, Fibercations

1. Custom cabinets: Kevin Weiskopf Cabinets & Woodworking, 1935 Hwy. A, Washington, Mo., 636-239-7710; FG Lancia Custom Woodworking, 813 N. Skinker, 314-862-0707
2. Hardware: Design Elements, Locks & Pulls
3. Plumbing, sinks, fixtures, tile: The Tallman Co.
4. Ideas and concept shopping: Merchandise Mart, Chicago
5. Dried floral arrangements: Twigs & Moss, 7715 Clayton, 314-454-0447


Scott Tjaden, Tjaden Interiors

1. Hardware: Design Elements
2. Fixtures, lighting, sinks, faucets: Blue Boat Designs, 1607 Washington, 314-241-8998