Around here there are a few locally owned hardware/lumber supply places that are recommended for those kinds of things. I visited the two most recommended, but was no impressed with their selection, service or pricing. In fact, one did not have most of the lines they could order in the building to look at and they other only had a few lines on display.

I ended up ordering my hardware from Hardware Hut online and I am extremely pleased with the quality, their service was wonderful and the price fantastic.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Hardware Hut

I couldn't find what I wanted to look at locally, and ended up ordering Emtek door hardware from handlesets.com, and bath accessories, sinks, and faucets from faucetdirect.com. I bought lighting locally, but wished I'd used lightingdirect.com. (all of these online places are related to each other) I got a few things through there, and they came faster than through the store, and I could have returned the lights that were ordered with the wrong shade, unlike with the store, which will not take any returns on 'special orders.'

If you can find a builders' wholesale hardware place that has some door hardware and bath accessories on display, that, in my experience, is the best bet.

Well, I just typed a long message and hit preview and it made me sign on (again) and I lost it!! Here goes:

We have a fantastic local hardware store that people literally travel to for their extensive hardware collection. Knobs, pulls, door handles, hinges, towel bars, anything you can think of (including winter rye in case you get stuck for a yard:-)) Baldwin, Emtek, and just about anything else you can think of. So I thought they might have a great website that you could shop from, but no luck. They do have one, but it isn't as representative as you would need. So anyway, try local hardware stores, some of them might surprise you with their selections!

Also, if you are looking for things like mirrors, towels, rugs, lamps, furniture, crystal, dishes, and anything you can imagine, see if you have a Home Goods store near you. They are incredible and have great pricing and good quality. I love to go there like my kids like to go to toys r us LOL!!

Amy

woodswell: Hardware Hut looks great. They have everything! I bookmarked it.

rhome410: We want Emtek, so I'll look at handlesets.com. I'll search locally for builders' wholesale and see what I come up with.

In a couple of hours I go shopping--in the real, as opposed to the virtual world. Boy, do I hate that.

amyks: thanks. We have a Home Goods nearby, but I don't usually go in that direction, so I've never been in it. But I'll go now.

pink, it would definitely be worth your time to go in that direction. I didn't want a "slab 'o glass" in my bathrooms so I told the gc I would take care of providing the mirrors. Now mind you I have 8 bathrooms. One of which (the master) has two vanities. So mirrors at between $250 and $400 was certainly not an option, understandably. I didn't spend more than $50 a mirror, and most of them were $40 at Home Goods. Lamps and rugs are two other things that can really be obscenely priced (in my opinion) and they are very reasonable there. I found lamps for $80 each, and I think they are every bit as nice as the lamp set my DH bought me for Christmas a few years ago that were $400. Anyway, just my experience. And they also change merchandise frequently, and I'm telling you this for two reasons. One, if you see something you really like, get it then because it might not be there if you come back in a week. Also, if nothing strikes you, come back in a week and there will be a different selection.

And, I have no interest or shares in Home Goods at all, I promise. I just LOVE that place:-)

Amy

Amy: quite an endorsement there! And thanks for the tip about buying it NOW. I hope I have learned to do that through the years of disappointment when things are gone in a day.