An all-encompassing guide to the do’s and don’ts of furniture purchasing
I love it all. I really do. And contrary to (somewhat) popular belief, I am not a furniture snob. I love a good mix of high- and low-end pieces — and I think it’s important to curate a space that is not only beautiful but also functional, durable, practical, and affordable. No one wants to be that person who cringes every time one of her kids’ friends walks on the rug with their shoes on because it was nauseatingly expensive. It’s just not worth it.
Don’t get me wrong — I love designing custom furniture. If your budget allows for it, the possibilities are endless, and the fit will always be perfect for your space. But it’s really not necessary most of the time. Allow me to guide you through the furniture planning and buying process to help you decide where to splurge and where to save.
Side tables, accent pieces, coffee tables, and ottomans. Smaller pieces like these are so easy to find, and they don’t need to be custom made in order to fit properly. I love mixing in pieces from CB2, Design within Reach, and Crate and Barrel in all of my spaces.
If your issue is the fit of a larger piece, here is where I would invest a little bit extra to get it exactly right. Perhaps you’ve got an L-shaped eat-in kitchen area or a family room that’s got some jogs in the wall. There’s no point in spending money on something that won’t fit properly. The bulk of the cost that goes into custom furniture is the cost per yard of whichever fabric you choose. That being said, you can easily find fabrics at an affordable price point at places like Maxwell, Kravet, and Fabricut.
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