Why trade-only matters
Trade-only vendors aren't gatekeeping — they're offering wholesale pricing and custom capabilities that don't make sense on a retail website. Signing up usually requires a resale certificate and proof of business, and every serious residential designer should have accounts with at least 10 of the vendors below.
The upholstery specialists
For custom sofas, sectionals, and lounge seating: Hickory Chair (Silhouettes program), Hancock & Moore (leather), CR Laine (deep frame library), Wesley Hall (fully custom), Sherrill (eight-way hand-tied), Vanguard (flexible COM), Rowe (slipcovers). These are the shops you call when the client wants something exactly a particular way.
The case-goods houses
For dining tables, case goods, and bedroom: Baker (museum-grade), Theodore Alexander (traditional authority), Bernhardt (hardwood specialists), Century (broad catalog), Stickley (arts & crafts). These vendors' strengths are wood, finish, and joinery.
The designer-collection houses
Licensed collections let you spec a named aesthetic: Lexington (Tommy Bahama, Barclay Butera), Caracole (glam), Hooker (multiple sub-brands). These are shortcut vendors — one collection per room keeps specs coherent.
The accessory house
Surya covers rugs, pillows, lighting, and wall decor. It's rare to finish a project without specifying at least five Surya SKUs. Set up an account early.