Sink into secrets on design spending and saving
Invest in some key pieces, but check out flea markets to stay within your budget
Whether you’ve just finished a home reno and want the stylish decor to match or are giving a tired space a fresh new look, learn when to skimp and when to splurge on your search.
According to celebrity Canadian designer, Amanda Forrest, some items are definitely splurge-worthy. The key is knowing when to tighten the pocketbook, says the popular media personality and regular guest expert on various programs, including The Marilyn Denis Show.
Forrest, known for her edgy, contemporary style, says her top investment piece of advice includes everything from getting a good night’s sleep with “a beautiful and comfortable master bed” to creating a feeling of joy when she looks at her walls.
“The mattress itself should be the best you can afford, but the overall look of the bed frame should be something gorgeous and timeless,” says Forrest, principal designer of her company, Amanda Forrest (amandaforrest.com).
Also, invest in “a piece of art that makes your heart sing,” she says.
“You should own one good piece that you keep from house to house that brings you happiness anytime you look at it.”
Meanwhile, a stylish coffee table will serve your space well.
“Occasional tables are a good investment in general because they can easily float from room to room if your style changes,” she explains.
“The best coffee tables, in my opinion, are ones with storage drawers or a shelf for display.”
To balance big-ticket purchases, go on the hunt for affordable pre-loved pieces that sometimes require a little bit of elbow grease.
“Repurposing items with paint always creates a custom look on a budget,” Forrest says.
“Consider using a vintage sideboard as a vanity or spray painting a gently used chandelier to give it a fresh facelift. Chairs and dressers are great pieces to start with if you’re a novice painter — they are generally easily available and inexpensive. Always clean your piece well and give it a light sanding to take off any grease or dirt before painting. If you want to reupholster a sofa or refinish a solidwood piece to be stained, I find this is better left to the pros.”
To score rare one-of-a-kind deals and get inspired, flea markets, vintage and antique shows are great places to start. Before you shop, prepare a list of the items you’re looking for.
“Look online for inspiration rooms that have gently used or vintage piec- es in their decor — keep the photos handy while shopping and make note of the lines or bones of a piece,” Forrest advises.
“Don’t mind the colour as you can always paint it to match your decor. Buy pieces that feel solid and ideally come from a smoke-free environment, as that smell is tough to get rid of.” When Toronto-based Melanie Kushner and her husband hired contractors to complete a 15-month reno, which included a two-storey ad- dition off the back of the St. Clair Ave. and Christie St. area home, the mom of two kids, ages 7 and 4, discovered a new passion.
“It was a second career calling for me,” says Kushner, who enrolled in college night classes to learn about the industry. From there, she started her own interior decorating business, melaniekushner.com.
The family moved into the completed three-bedroom, four-bathroom house in May 2016, but with more space than they had at their previous home, they needed to buy affordable furniture and accessories to fill it out, giving Kushner the chance to flex her creativity.
“I like to mix things up,” Kushner says.
“We have an animal-hide area rug that I bought for $50 vintage from the Aberfoyle Antique Market in Guelph, Ont. Similar rugs retail for $700. I love layering items from different retailers and adding family heirlooms.
“It’s tempting to go to West Elm or CB2 or one of those retailers for everything, but you want to space it out, see how your tastes have evolved and find pieces that are unique. We are so used to following trends instead of asking, ‘what am I attracted to?’ ”
Kushner splurged on a new metal hammered coffee table but saved money in other areas, such as the dresser she found on Craigslist and refurbished, the front-hall stool she found for $4 at the Salvation Army and budget-friendly throw pillows. She also incorporated pieces rich with family history, including a dining room table from her in-laws.
“It was the first table they ever bought in the ’70s. It’s teak, a beautiful piece, and it didn’t cost me a thing. To think of all the babies who’ve had their baths on that table,” she laughs. When curating design items, Kushner says she has learned the art of patience.
In other words, don’t just buy the first piece you find, wait for the right piece.
“Often, you’ve spent so long in a renovation project, you rush out to buy something that isn’t exactly what you want because you just want the project to be over,” she says.
“It’s worth the wait to find exactly what you’re looking for. Something worth holding out for is amazing art that really speaks to you. If you love it, then go for it, but don’t just buy something because it’s affordable. Make sure it’s something you really love that you put on your walls. Don’t rush it, enjoy it.”