If home is where the heart is, it seems appropriate that the act of decorating your home should be one done with care. Whether it's looking for the most comfortable reading chair or the brightest shower curtain to liven up the bathroom, shopping for decorative home accessories that suit your individual style can be a rewarding process if you're looking in the right places. With an abundance of crafty stores around Milwaukee packed with items that could add that perfect touch to your living quarters, shopping for home goods can be fun and easy.

A manufacturer of futons since 1979, Great Lakes Futons, Inc. (309 N. Water St) brings the Japanese art of futon making to Milwaukee with beds, chairs, pillows, couches and comforters in diverse materials. Aside from futons, this retail factory store sells a variety of home accessories such as lamps, rugs, wall decor and colorful kites, to either fly in the skies or hang on the wall. Futons can be custom ordered on site to accommodate your own personal tastes in size and materials.

Dinesen's Leather Only (798 N. Jefferson Ave.) carries a variety of comfortable leather furniture for the office and home. Pieces such as modern Italian sofas and classic recliners can be shipped free to anywhere in the U.S. Call (414) 277-7747.

Peabody's Interiors (133 E. Silver Spring Dr.) is one of the most stylish spots in town to shop if you're looking to transform your home into a swank abode. With an excellent selection of modern furniture to choose from, they offer decorating services to assist customers in coordinating the perfect look for their home.

With three floors, Tadych Furniture (2974 S. 13th St.) has a large selection of traditional and contemporary chairs, sofas, cabinets and accent pieces at affordable prices. Many of the items are sturdy, Amish-made pieces.

With an eclectic array of both functional and decorative furniture and accessories, Eccola (273 N. Broadway Ave.) features craft items such as Middle Eastern carpets, hand carved tables, pillows, masks and knick-knacks.

At the Milwaukee Antique Center (341 N. Milwaukee St.) you can treasure hunt through a labyrinth of cherished memorabilia. You can find nearly anything here: old phonographs, vintage clothing, escritoires, cameras, tables and chairs. The three stories of warehouse-sized rooms are neatly arranged so that you can easily navigate yourself through each collection.

A family business based on seven generations of rug-making tradition, Shabahang & Sons (790 N. Jackson Ave.) brings the art of traditional oriental floor coverings from Isfahan, Persia to Milwaukee. Made from the quality looms of artists around the world, new and well-preserved antique carpets are available in a variety of sizes. While perusing the selection, experts will assist you by explaining the qualities of diversified rugs. In-home demonstrations are also available.

At Old Country Furniture (9115 W. Oklahoma Ave.) authentic handcrafted Amish furniture, quality giftware, crafty home decor and a pleasant staff make for an enjoyable shopping experience. Afghans, potpourri, candles, pottery works and wall hangings offer a variety of ways to decorate your home.

Offering a variety of quality, elegant stain-glass windows, cabinet doors and lamps as well as glass blown vases, candle holders, flowers and bowls, Oxford Studios (1017 E. Brady St.) is a full service stained glass atelier. This store features a wide range of designs as well as restoration and repair services. Beginning stained glass classes are offered regularly, too.

Village Bazaar (2201 N. Farwell Ave.) offers the feel of shopping around the world in just one small store. Handmade crafts from far off places range from lamps to decorative woodcarvings. An impressive jewelry selection features some of the most beautiful pieces of amber around town. (414) 224-9675.

For some neat home accessories you can be sure no one else on the block has, Lincoln Art Pottery (636 W. Lincoln Ave.) has a nice collection of locally handmade objects. From kitchenware to flower pots, this galleria features work from some of Milwaukee's most innovative artists. (414) 643-1101.

One of Milwaukee's biggest modern furniture stores, Rubin's Furniture (224 E. Chicago St.) houses a little bit of everything. From office furniture to small accessories for the home, Rubin's also has a sizeable selection of items on clearance, which may lead you to exhale a sigh of relief when compared to some of the store's pricier objects.