AFFORDABLE ALERT: This Is (Not) A Decoy

This is the real thing. A small company doing it SO right. Decoylab explains it best when they say they make "playful and creative, unique items that are not mass produced but still affordable." That's right. You don't always have to pay more to support American-made goods. Decoylab makes large selection of adorable and sustainable laser cut bamboo clocks, housewares and accessories. All of their products are made to order and each piece is lovingly hand-crafted in Kansas City, Missouri.

You don't need a barn to have a Barn Light

Like so many of the best jobs, Bryan Scott started Barn Light Electric Company because it was his passion. A part-time hobby of searching through antique stores, estate sales, abandoned buildings, and garage sales looking for vintage lights to restore, Bryan soon realized this could be more than a pastime. In 2001, he found a true American manufacturer who could create barn lighting with the same high standards he held himself to. While this company has grown by leaps and bounds, all the products are still 100% manufactured in the US, headed up in Titusville, Florida.

Lattice In, Lattice In

The unique combination of privacy, pattern and light that lattice provides in any space can create a magical environment. The founders of LatticeStix knew this when they started their company based in San Francisco. Knowing, too, that the Eastern tradition of intricate lattice was cost prohibitive in the states, they thought "that, surely, with today’s technology it should be possible to create beautiful lattice that didn’t cost a small fortune." Now they have over 100 patterns for screens, trellis, gates, walls, doors, fences and more, that don't just hide the view, but enhance it. With wood dowel joinery that won't rust or loosen over time, these pieces are built to last, from sustainably sourced wood like Western Red Cedar and Mahogany right here in California.

"Modern American Blacksmiths"

With styles that vary from traditional, to modern, Hubbardton Forge Lighting is hand-forged with an eye for form, attention to detail, and respect for the materials. Sold at your local lighting dealer or online through a variety of sites, this Vermont blacksmithing based lighting company that has been around since 1974. According to their site, "Today, Hubbardton Forge is the oldest and largest commercial forge in the country with a team of over 200 people creating hand-forged lighting."

Luscious hand-made tile

If you love color, you love a tile store. Like a candy store for grown-ups picking tile can be the most fun part of a renovation. But if you want to feel good about the tile you choose AND get something stunning, look no further than laNeva Artisan Tile, in Minneapolis. They make 12 beautiful lead-free colors in 9 sizes, all made by hand, all made in America. They also have a new line of tiles called the Rift Series, in which each tile has 2 glaze colors. The effect is dreamy. All the tiles have the look and character of handmade tiles, which adds so much to a wall or floor.

Teco me home

Teco (an abbreviation of TErra COtta) art pottery was originally produced in 1902 by the American Terra Cotta and Ceramics Company, located in Terra Cotta, Illinois. W. D. Gates founded the company making architectural terra cotta used in constructing fire-proof buildings following the Great Chicago Fire.  When work was slow, the company started producing a line of art pottery, becoming famous for their groundbreaking modern designs. There have been about 500 different Teco shapes. Gates himself designed about half of them, with other pieces created by such notable designers as Fritz Albert, William Mundie, Fernand Moreau and Frank Lloyd Wright. You can buy some breathtaking styles today from Prairie Arts and Room & Board.

The Maine solution

The Maine Float Rope Co., is dedicated to a great cause.  In Maine, lobster fisherman use float-rope to tether multiple traps together on the ocean floor. The problem with float-rope is that it can entangle whales, which sometimes leads to their injury or death. Now, Maine lobstermen are required to replace float-rope with sink-rope. But Penny Johnson (the company’s owner) had a brilliant idea- to collect and recycle the rope and turn it into terrific, colorful and virtually indestructible doormats. There are tons of choices of colors, both bright and muted, solid or striped. As Penny herself says, "Our Down East Doormats are unique and helpful in every way, plus they are handwoven on the coast of Maine."

Hot out the oven

 

Few things make us drool like tile and ceramics. Especially the texturally pleasing, multi-colored array that comes out of the ovens of Heath Ceramics. According to their site they are "one of the few remaining mid-century American potteries still in existence today." With a crew of 60 craftsman, they have been producing tableware and tile in Sausalito, California all that time. Every product is made right there in their factory. Stores are at headquarters in Sausalito, in Los Angeles, and in San Fran, but they ship free for orders over $100 (which is pretty easy to do with tile). Added bonus, they are now making house numbers!

Classic blankets, classically made

Pendleton blankets are iconic. Truly American classics. They are timeless and beautiful and endlessly useful. If you have one, you'll have it forever. The great news is that they've been a family-owned business for over 140 years, and for almost a hundred of those they've been weaving in their Northwest Mills. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, this company stays true to its roots.

Is that an Eastern Accent I detect?

In the heart of Chicago is a wonderful company that employs over 300 people, but has the spirit of a family business. It is Eastern Accents, a wholesale bedding and accessory company that makes spectacular, original products, which are manufactured right there in Shytown. You can buy their goods using their store locator, or online at Belmont Home Decor.

Get Back in Bed

A luxurious bed is a good thing. Fluffy down that surrounds you like a cloud, good quality cotton, it is truly one of life's greatest pleasures. The Company Store, originally The La Crosse Garment Company, has been making high quality bedding in La Crosse, Wisconsin for a century now. I, for one, think they are doing something right.

Blowing our minds

We have long been a huge fan of Blenko Glass Company. Their stunning shapes and vibrant colors make their hand-blown glass objects in a class by themselves. Whether you have a large collection or one piece on its own, their is no accessory quite like Blenko Glass. They have been in business since 1893 and proudly based and manufactured in Milton, West Virginia.