Owning a home these days is all about HOME IMPROVEMENT. HOME DEPOT  and LOWES are a good place to start.  Both offer a multitude of products, design ideas, and price points.  Both also offer free weekly seminars on subjects from tiling and drywall installation to how to execute a professional paintjob. On the subject of DIY, HGTV, the DIY NETWORK and DO IT YOURSELF.COM are founts of practical info for executing almost any home improvement project around.  Remodeling a kitchen or bath?  The NKBA—National Kitchens and Baths Association--offers contacts, advice, and an online remodeling guide.

KITCHENS AND BATHS
...For Faucets & Fixtures, here's the Big Five:
AMERICAN STANDARD
KOHLER
PRICE-PFISTER 
DELTA
MOEN

TILE
FLORIDA TILE  Natural stone, slate, mosaic or glass, plus porcelain and ceramics.
DALTILE Full selection of varieties plus online Design Tools  calculate square footage and design your own look. 
MARAZZI, Tile with a European feel.  Online Layout Pattern shows how to combine different sizes of tile to create timeless designs.

CABINETS
KRAFTMAID , THOMASVILLE CABINETRY and CROWN POINT CABINETRY offer traditional and contemporary designs with non-stratospheric pricing.
 
APPLIANCES
GE  Three brands--GE, Monogram, & Profile--offer full array of design styles.
SUB ZERO The Connaisseur's Icebox.  Vintage modern styling and built-in design makes this brand the Cadillac of Refrigeration.
VIKING  Professional quality appliances with cutting edge style.
ELMIRA STOVE WORKS  Vintage stoveworks offers nostalgic designs coupled with the technology of today.

DOORS WINDOWS AND FLOORS 
MARVIN WINDOWS AND DOORS Top quality & design.
ANDERSEN  Mass market windows available nationwide.
ARMSTRONG Innovative alternative flooring materials as well as traditional tile and laminate.
LUMBER LIQUIDATORS Wide choice of discount flooring from bamboo and oak to walnut and pine.

Home is where the HARDWARE is…
SCHLAGE, BALDWIN  and KWIKSET offer a wide variety of styles on knobs, locksets and door hardware.
HOUSE OF ANTIQUE HARDWARE  features reproductions that mimic the real thing.

WINDOW TREATMENTS
HUNTER DOUGLAS   Louvers, shades, blinds, shutters and more.
SMITH + NOBLE  High-style window treatments at down-to-earth prices.
COUNTRY CURTAINS   Classic curtains for the traditional home.

PAINT  A finished home always has a professional-looking paint job. Tip: Any dealer will mix paint in the shade you want--just ask!  For ideas, techniques and the latest colors:
BENJAMIN MOORE  Every color under the sun since 1883 now features  'Pottery Barn' shades.
BEHR Rated #1 Paint by Consumer Reports several years running, this mid-priced Home Depot paint offers excellent value for the money.
SHERWIN WILLIAMS  Since 1866.  Check out their Concepts in Color visualizer tool.

HOUSE MAGAZINES are a great source of inspiration and practical advice.  Here's five to start:
THIS OLD HOUSE  Launched by the HGTV show, this monthly focuses on the restoration of vintage homes and the challenges they impose.
METROPOLITAN HOME  Dazzling homes with a chic urban feel by top architects and decorators.
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS  Traditional decors and beautiful gardens grace the pages of this home-style monthly.
COTTAGE LIVING Small homes are the focus of this magazine that places charm and innovation at the forefront of design philosophy.
DOMINO  Hip and trendy decor suggestions geared to a dynamic spirit.