Where It All Began
Lee Knox, owner of Tile and Designs, had already built a reputation for transforming homes through thoughtful hardscapes and tile installations. Alongside her daughter, Laura Young, she dreamed of expanding beyond the surfaces of beautiful homes and into the spaces themselves.
Attached to their main building sat a vacant storefront.
Where others saw empty square footage, Lee and Laura saw possibility.
That possibility became The Idea Shops.
What began as an extension of a family business quickly evolved into something more — a curated destination for distinctive home and garden decor.
A Destination for the Collected Home
From the beginning, Lee and Laura traveled extensively, sourcing bespoke pieces that were not readily available in the Pittsburgh area.
They weren’t looking for trends.
They were looking for character.
The Idea Shops became known for:
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Garden-inspired accents
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Unique home decor
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Artisan vessels and planters
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Statement florals
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Pieces that felt discovered rather than distributed
Their love of gardening shaped the identity of the store. Floor-to-ceiling window displays along Ellsworth Avenue became seasonal showcases of lush faux stems, curated bouquets, succulents, and grand urns — inspiring passersby before they even stepped inside.
The showroom was never meant to feel transactional.
It was meant to spark ideas.
Rooted in the Garden
Gardening has always been at the heart of The Idea Shops.
The collection of pots, planters, and containers grew into one of the store’s defining offerings — from large outdoor fiberglass and terra cotta vessels to smaller stone pots perfect for indoor succulent gardens.
Each planter was selected not just for function, but for form — texture, weight, silhouette, and timeless appeal.
The philosophy was simple:
A beautiful home should feel cultivated.
An Unexpected Connection to Paris
As the years passed, The Idea Shops continued to evolve.
Then came a new chapter.
When Lee’s daughter moved to Paris, what could have simply been a relocation became something much more meaningful — a direct connection to European markets, artisans, and flea market finds.
Suddenly, The Idea Shops had a French correspondent.
And with that came access to:
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Handmade Parisian jewelry
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Garden pieces discovered in European flea markets
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Hand-painted Italian tables and chairs
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One-of-a-kind decorative accents
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Unique pieces with true old-world character
These were not bulk shipments or trend-based imports.
They were personal discoveries.
The Beauty of One-of-a-Kind
European sourcing changed the depth of the collection.
The pieces arriving from Paris and beyond carried:
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Craftsmanship
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History
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Subtle imperfections
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Timeless design
Many were produced in small batches. Others were singular finds.
Exclusivity at The Idea Shops is not manufactured — it is organic. When sourcing from European artisans and markets, quantities are naturally limited.
When a piece sells out, it may never return.
And that’s part of its beauty.
Collected, Not Mass Produced
The Idea Shops has never aimed to compete with mass retailers.
Instead, it offers something different — something quieter and more intentional.
The collection reflects:
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A love of gardening
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A respect for craftsmanship
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A family legacy
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A transatlantic connection
From Pittsburgh to Paris, every piece is chosen with intention.
Every urn in the window display.
Every hand-painted Italian table.
Every piece of Parisian jewelry.
They are not simply products.
They are ideas waiting to find a home.
A Showroom Designed to Inspire
Today, The Idea Shops continues to serve as a destination — a place where customers can step inside and discover something unexpected.
The ever-evolving collections reflect the seasons, travel, and inspiration gathered along the way.
Whether you’re searching for:
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The perfect vessel for your garden
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A statement floral arrangement
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A European treasure with history
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Or simply a spark of inspiration
The Idea Shops remains rooted in the belief that beautiful spaces begin with thoughtful curation.
Stop By and Spark Your Next Great Idea
From its beginnings as a vacant storefront to its connection with Parisian markets, The Idea Shops has always been about possibility.
Possibility found in texture.
In craftsmanship.
In one-of-a-kind pieces collected near and far.
Visit the showroom along Ellsworth Avenue — or explore our curated collections online — and discover the story behind the pieces that make a space truly yours.
