When you think of home décor that commands attention — dramatic wall pieces, bold garden statuary, and unique furniture accents — one name that often comes up is Design Toscano. For decades, the company supplied consumers with distinctive decorative items, from Gothic gargoyles to classical busts. But in recent years, whispers have begun circulating: is Design Toscano still solidly in business, or are its foundations beginning to crack? In this article, we’ll take a clear look at the company’s background, its present situation, customer feedback, competitive landscape, alternatives for shoppers, and ultimately whether there is cause for concern. Whether you’re a long-time customer, a potential buyer, or simply curious — this deep dive aims to give you the facts.
A Brief Background on the Company
Design Toscano was founded in 1989 (some sources say 1993) by Michael Stopka in Wood Dale, Illinois. Over the years, it carved out a niche in specialty home-and-garden décor, offering items that ranged from historical reproductions to Gothic statuary, outdoor fountains, and furniture accessories. Its catalog and e-commerce business allowed it to build a customer base of décor enthusiasts seeking unique and show-piece items rather than mass-market furnishings. According to a company profile, the business serves a niche market, emphasizes attention to detail, and claims over 7,000 online items.
The brand enjoyed growth in its early years and was listed in Inc. magazine’s top 500 fastest-growing companies in the late 1990s. With a distinctive product offering and a loyal following, Design Toscano became known among decorators and collectors alike. But as with many catalog-and-e-commerce oriented businesses, changing consumer habits, rising costs, and logistics challenges pose continual pressure.
Is Design Toscano Going Out of Business?
There’s no definitive public announcement that Design Toscano is shutting down. Its website is still active, its products are still listed for sale through various channels, and company information is still accessible. For example, the LeadIQ company profile lists the company as operating with revenue in the approximate $10M-$50M range. However, there are several red flags worth noting.
On the consumer front, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) shows recent complaints: for instance, customers reporting missing orders, broken items, or unresponsive customer service. While a handful of complaints doesn’t necessarily mean collapse, patterns of unresolved customer issues may raise concerns about operational health. Also, smaller niche décor companies often operate with thin margins and may struggle when supply-chain or labor costs increase.
In short: while Design Toscano is not obviously going out of business (no bankruptcy filing or closure announcement found), signs suggest the company is under pressure — and consumers should proceed with caution.
What is Design Toscano?
Design Toscano is a specialty home-and-garden décor brand that focuses on unique, collectible, and often dramatic pieces rather than just standard furniture. Its catalog includes indoor and outdoor statuary, reproduction furniture, wall art, fountains, and themed decorative accessories. What sets the brand apart is its emphasis on unusual styles — Gothic gargoyles, ancient-style busts, fantasy garden sculptures, etc. For consumers seeking décor that makes a statement, Design Toscano fills a niche.
The business model has largely been catalog and e-commerce driven (rather than massive bricks-and-mortar store expansion). It serves consumers internationally via online sales and shipping. Because of this, operational challenges (shipping costs, returns, inventory management) become more critical. The value proposition centers on “exclusive to our brand” items (over 90% of their catalog claimed to be exclusive).
Design Toscano Present Scenario: Financial Struggles and Customer Feedback
In its present state, Design Toscano appears to be living in a transitional space — still operating, yet facing several operational and customer-service challenges. As noted, the BBB lists several unresolved complaints in 2024-25 regarding order fulfillment, damaged goods, and customer service response. For example, one complaint from August 2025 describes a customer who placed an April order for a statue and by mid-August had heard nothing back, could not reach the customer service phone number, and had a bounced email.
Financially, while figures indicate the company brings in revenue, the tight margin and niche focus make large growth or expansion difficult in today’s highly competitive home décor market. Moreover, design trends shift rapidly, and logistics (importing large statues, shipping internationally, returns) add complexity.
On the positive side, the brand’s website remains live and stocks still listed. Products from Design Toscano are also available via third-party retailers, showing it still has market presence. The operational question is not so much “Are they alive?” but rather “How strong and stable are they moving forward?” For a buyer or collector, this means verifying stock, shipping timelines, and return policies before purchase.
Alternatives to Design Toscano Products
If you’re looking for décor in the same vein — unique, statement-making pieces — and want to consider alternatives in case you’re wary of relying solely on Design Toscano, here are options:
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Wayfair: While primarily a large home décor marketplace, it carries brands and items similar in style to what Design Toscano offers (statues, outdoor ornaments, themed décor).
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Frontgate: High-end décor and outdoor furnishings; although price point is higher, it offers solid customer service and shipping reliability.
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Grandin Road: A catalog and online décor business that offers decorative furniture, accent pieces, and seasonal décor with broader logistics infrastructure.
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Smaller artisan décor makers: Independent Etsy shops or boutique décor manufacturers can offer highly-customized statuary or themed décor; the downside is price or longer lead times.
When choosing an alternative, consider: shipping cost (especially for large items), reliability of customer service, return policy, and stock status. If you liked the uniqueness of Design Toscano’s style, look for brands that emphasize “exclusive/limited-edition décor” and check reviews before purchase.
Conclusion
Design Toscano is a brand with a long history of offering bold, distinctive décor pieces and still appears to be operating in 2025. But it is not immune to industry challenges: customer service hiccups, operational constraints, and market competition raise flags. While there is no public sign that the company is closing imminently, the quality of the purchasing experience may vary and buyers should exercise caution. If you are drawn to their aesthetic, verify specific item availability and delivery policy — and consider alternatives as a backup plan. In a changing home-decor market, even established niche brands must continuously adapt — and the coming years will reveal whether Design Toscano can maintain its footing or becomes a cautionary tale of décor business turbulence.
