Shopping

Ever wonder where designers shop to furnish the multimillion dollar homes in this town? We did, and we found sources both global and national right at our door. Though some are only accessible with an interior designer, others do welcome the public, even providing free decorating advice as you browse.

As we sleuthed we encountered designers from Miami, Atlanta and New Orleans secretly sourcing here and uncovered local firms who supply retailers across the country. Sarasota may not have a formal design district, but scattered through the city amazing treasures abound.

Under the Radar Renowned designer (and former Sarasota resident) Carleton Varney quietly warehouses his exquisite fabric line here. But you’ll need a designer to see the eye-popping prints, many of them design doyenne Dorothy Draper’s originals. Carleton Varney by the Yard, 2239 15th St., Sarasota (941) 953-6986.

Bring Home the Bacon You can buy the same chairs, fabrics and trim that the country’s most upscale stores, catalogues and designers do, now that Bacon & Wing has expanded its trade-only showroom to a new retail shop with full design services. Bacon & Wing, 1555 Fruitville Road, Sarasota (941) 366-0635.

Trade Secret No one can touch Steven Postan’s prices or selection of antique English furniture and grandfather clocks ($3,000 to $12,000). A-list antiques dealers across the country snap up new arrivals on his Web site; designers fly in to scout new finds. Steven Postan Antiques, 7881 15th St. E., Sarasota (941) 755-6063.

Champagne Wishes come true for designers who come from as far as Atlanta to save big-time on showroom-quality furniture that owners Pam and Marcus Anast make at their factory in Peru (and will design for consumers, too). Sarasota Collection Home Store, 622 Central Ave., Sarasota (941) 955-8313.

Treasure Chest Designers scour this glorified junkyard inside and out for architectural elements (the salvaged doors, gates and windows are to die for) that add a lot of character with a little elbow grease. Sarasota Architectural Salvage, 1093 Central Ave., Sarasota (941) 362-0803.

Jiffy Lube? With LUBE Italian cabinetry, designers transform ordinary kitchens into Euro-style wonders in a heartbeat ($30,000 to $200,000). Owner Jim Bridges and partners in LUBE USA plan a network of U.S. showrooms. LUBE of Sarasota, 2628 17th St., Sarasota (941) 954-0200.

British Revival When Paul Maitland-Smith sold his eponymous furniture company, the talented Brit opened Theodore Alexander, an instant hit with designers who shop here for value and exclusive selection; you can, too. Design Impressions Gallery, 33 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota (941) 373-9660.

Family Affair Maurice and Vanessa Opstel are first in the U.S. to retail eco-chic Box Furniture (now in 32 countries). It’s designed by their brother and sister-in-law, Marcel Opstel and Maya Basyroel. Box Furniture Boutique, 1417 First St., Sarasota (941) 366-8164.

Rugs As Art has trade lines like Tufenkian and Schumacher and treats consumers the way showrooms do designers: They’ll let you try any rug for size and color in your home. 6650 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (941) 921-1900.

Map Quest leads designers all along the Suncoast to this gallery with antique maps, botanical and marine life prints displayed by category and ready for artisan-quality framing. William Hartman Gallery, 48 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota (941) 955-4785.

-- AlliKriste has the hottest designer kitchen lines by Wm Ohs and SieMatic, usually found in trade-only showrooms. AlliKriste, 9126 Town Center Parkway, Lakewood Ranch (941) 388-9696.

-- Designers stop by Blue Moon Antiques far more often than the name implies; new arrivals sell out instantly in their West Palm Beach and Sarasota stores. Blue Moon on Pineapple, 134 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota (941) 365-0978.

-- Check out dkVogue for the most comprehensive selection of mid-century Danish iconic design in the country (except for their New York showroom). dkVogue, 1549 State St., Sarasota (941) 955-2600.

-- Open to consumers Saturdays only, Las Antiguas antiques gallery is the source for designers from Miami and throughout the South. Las Antiguas, Inc., 1525 First St., Sarasota (941) 349-3200.

-- You won’t have to leave town to see the same carpets, fabrics and wall coverings as major metropolitan Stark showrooms display, but you’ll need a designer to get you into Designer’s Source of Sarasota 1785 Northgate Blvd., Sarasota (941) 955-4609.