As a designer and homeowner, I’m constantly asked where to save or splurge at home, and for me it’s a deeply personal question: we all deserve to enjoy what brings us the most joy.
With that said, budget constraints are very real and we all have to make tough decisions sometimes when it comes to interior design.
Regardless of how big or small the project is, there are always limitations due to budget, but I choose to see them as opportunities, as they ultimately give you the push you need to create an interesting design.
For me, the success of design is always a question of balance, it is a conversation between form, texture and materiality.
For this reason, although I have high-end elements in my house, such as the precious Blanco Macael marble from Almeria in the kitchen, I have chosen to combine the stone with a more humble material such as rattan, which can be seen throughout the house in the form of lampshades and rattan stools from the 70s.
I’m always looking for unique vintage pieces at resale sites, antique stores, garage sales, or markets. You’ll be amazed at how much treasure you can get at affordable prices if you’re willing to spend time searching. There is nothing better than the emotion of finding a unique piece for less than 50 euros.
If there is a designer piece that you love, then I encourage you to hold off and invest in something you could potentially have for 20+ years like a sofa or dining table. Once you know the name of the brand and the style, proceed to search for it on all the resale sites available to you: Facebook market, Etsy, etc, I have them all! Of course, if there is a piazza you are looking for and you cannot find it, come to our studio and we can look for it among all our contacts.
If you find it yourself, don’t be afraid to negotiate the price. Take the risk and bid lower on auction sites and see what happens. I have even offered up to 50% less on items and they have accepted them. You never know when a seller needs to get rid of something. We can take care of the negotiation as part of a larger project.
I will also add that this is a much more personal and sustainable approach to design and as a bonus these investment pieces often have a good resale value if your style changes over time. After that, the art is really in the high/low mix and the way both investment design pieces and modern furniture brands are styled in your space.
Image : bettencourtmanor
I’m always looking for unique vintage pieces at resale sites, antique stores, garage sales, or markets. You’ll be amazed at how much treasure you can get at affordable prices if you’re willing to spend time searching. There is nothing better than the emotion of finding a unique piece for less than 50 euros.
If there is a designer piece that you love, then I encourage you to hold off and invest in something you could potentially have for 20+ years like a sofa or dining table. Once you know the name of the brand and the style, proceed to search for it on all the resale sites available to you: Facebook market, Etsy, etc, I have them all! Of course, if there is a piazza you are looking for and you cannot find it, come to our studio and we can look for it among all our contacts.
If you find it yourself, don’t be afraid to negotiate the price. Take the risk and bid lower on auction sites and see what happens. I have even offered up to 50% less on items and they have accepted them. You never know when a seller needs to get rid of something. We can take care of the negotiation as part of a larger project.
I will also add that this is a much more personal and sustainable approach to design and as a bonus these investment pieces often have a good resale value if your style changes over time. After that, the art is really in the high/low mix and the way both investment design pieces and modern furniture brands are styled in your space.
