In recent years, purchasing trends focused on sustainability have increased. That's why people around the world, especially on TikTok, are talking about the benefits of ditching fast fashion, prioritizing consciously tailored clothing, investing in statement pieces and building capsule wardrobes. That will be the goal for the coming years. The general thought process here is that when you shop more consciously, you reduce your impact on the world and undeniably improve the quality of your clothes. While we love to focus on the global impact people make through their clothing, we're here to point out that the same is true of buying furniture with purpose.
As easy (and tempting) as heading to your local Target or home goods store to pick up new seasonal furniture and decor items, New Moon Rugs COO and Principal Designer Erica Kurtz suggests investing in your space. "Buying wonderful land that can often be reimagined in new ways and places is like buying that perfect little black dress and adding to it over the years," she says. "Great design never goes out of style."
Of course, to fill your home with the best models, you need to stick to the price tags. Something that will probably help you is why the most popular furniture costs more, because believe it or not, it's not just for looks. That said, we spoke to a few designers and tastemakers to find out what goes into the price of expensive furniture and why it's so valuable.
1. Made by hand, sometimes with handmade or proprietary tools.
Handmade jewelry and hand-dyed hair coloring services cost more, as do furniture and home accessories. "Making a piece by hand requires a high level of skill and attention to detail, which can lead to a [higher price and] longer production time," says designer Laura Vogtl. Head of L. Vogtle Interiors , owner of Design Supply and founder of Meubles Odette .
Although all handmade furniture requires great care, some brands, such as Alfonso Marina & Co, produce their products with handmade materials and tools. "We make our own tools and materials, which allows us to design freely with the highest level of detail," explains Alfonso Marina & Co. Its creative director, Isabel Marina. "To create great furniture, it's important to recover the techniques and styles of times that are often forgotten because of the complexity of their materials and the time it took to create each piece. That's what makes us unique.
Of course, furniture is not the only handmade home product. Carpets and rugs are two other categories that are experiencing high prices due to attention to detail in the manufacturing process.
"Handmade rugs are very labor intensive, often taking eight to nine months to weave," says Boston-based interior designer Nina Farmer, who is publishing her first design book, Timeless by Design: Designing Rooms with Comfort, Style and a Sens. . History , this September. "Although the price is significantly higher, the look and quality cannot be replicated by machine. Each rug evokes a sense of history through technology and represents unique communities around the world that have been woven together for generations.
Meanwhile, with the rise of wallpaper, affordable rolls are easy to find. However, if your goal is to completely transform your space and make it long-term, you'll want to invest in your wall coverings. "Most low- and mid-range wallpaper is machine printed and finished; while it makes beautiful pieces, it doesn't compare to hand-painted wallpaper in terms of depth and texture. Matching rooms enhances the experience of the space." says Katie Gutierrez. Designers and co-founders of Eraze Design "When you bite into a ripe peach tree, it's like the difference between sucking a peach and getting juice on your chin."
2. Produced by salaried workers.
The sad reality is that most low and mid-range furniture is made in factories with poor working conditions by workers who are not paid good wages. While these items may put less pressure on your wallet, it's important to consider how creating them affects the lives of others.
"We place a high value on not only being sustainable for the environment, but also for the people involved in making them," says designer and boutique owner Laura Hodges. "Evaluating the people from whom we buy products means that they should be paid a fair wage and that they should work in clean and safe conditions. These parameters also affect the price of the product, because it is cheaper to take care of the workers with fair pay and health insurance, paid holidays, etc.
While many brands lack the awareness to take care of such factors in the production process, Hodges can't imagine not doing so. "As a designer, I think it's my responsibility to make sure the parts we design and specify for a project are correct."
3. It is made of high quality materials.
There's a reason these mass-produced pieces of furniture often fall apart after a few years of use: the materials they're made from aren't up to par (think chipboard instead of wood).
"High-quality items use high-quality materials, and the more materials, the healthier they are," says Gutierrez. "For example, (cheaper) synthetic materials can emit smoke into the air or contain chemicals that can irritate your skin. Something like real silk, which is more expensive, healthier, smoke-free, chemical-free and durable. It's an investment..
Take Fortuna, for example. For over a century, the brand has printed the most stunning and sought-after fabric designs in small batches, and at prices many designers are willing to pay. Why? The quality is unmatched.
"Fortuny's printed fabrics are produced in the same factory that Mariano Fortuny founded in 1922 on Giudecca Island in Venice," says a Fortuny representative. "Mariano designed the factory as a giant machine, and the process of turning an ordinary cotton fabric of the highest quality into a magical iridescent fabric is a trade secret that Fortuny is known for."
4. It is an original design.
Mass-produced furniture and decor may be cheaper, but in addition to being made with inferior materials and poor working conditions, they look more commonplace. Why? According to Gutierrez, mass-produced (i.e. cheaper) household goods are attractive to people. "When buying more expensive pieces, you're dealing with smaller brands or custom [or originals] that allow for more self-expression, individuality and flair," she says.
When it comes to original designs, like those created by Charles Edwards and Janus & Co., Vogtl shows the time and effort involved in the creative process, both of which contribute to the final value of the piece. "Custom or original furniture and home decor pieces designed by highly skilled artists, craftspeople or designers often cost more because of the greater investment of time, materials and skill," he explains. “These designs can include extensive research, sketches and prototypes, and a refinement process to meet exact specifications. The designer may need to work with expert craftsmen or fabricators to create the piece, which can increase the overall cost.
5. It can be customized.
Customization is different from the original design. While original designs are based on the stylistic preferences of the brand or designer, customized pieces are often based on the preferences of the buyer. According to Julie Kleiner , co-founder and principal designer at Masucco Warner, choosing brands like Oomph that offer large-scale customization can be an instant value upgrade, but it's also a surefire way to ensure your home looks its best. Quality furniture and furnishings.
6. It's made in the USA
According to Kleiner, US-made furniture and decor, such as Hickory Chairs and Hellman-Chang, tend to be more expensive because of its proximity to manufacturing. "There's a level of quality control and comfort with US-made parts, and (in some cases) it's very convenient to talk to the owner about any issues that may arise," he explained. It shows that this is not the case when you buy furniture from the big import companies.
Another reason domestically produced items are more expensive, Laura Kirer Studio founder Laura Kirer points out, is that American brands prioritize the living wage. "The cost of living is high [in the U.S.] and right now other skilled trades are in high demand and pay," he explained.
7. It is a historical landmark.
Historic furniture brands such as Alfonso Marina and Knoll International are steeped in history; This brand has stood the test of time. "Historical brands tend to have a history of innovation and expertise and can contribute to the development of a particular industry or product category," says Votl. "These brands are known for their iconic designs or unique manufacturing techniques that set them apart from their competitors." While some heirlooms may be more expensive than others, Vogtle says, "you're paying for craftsmanship, attention to detail, and overall top-quality materials that will stand the test of time."
For a brand to be regarded as heritage, Gutierrez says that reputation is essential. "High-end interior design is associated with brand heritage and craftsmanship across generations, sometimes hundreds of years," he explains. "When you buy a premium piece, you're buying a level of quality or craftsmanship that often can't be replicated."
8. It is vintage or antique.
Since heritage brands have been around for a long time, older vintage pieces from the brands have a higher value. That said, a vintage or antique item doesn't have to be designed by a major brand to command a high price. One of the biggest factors in the price and popularity of vintage and antique furniture is the quality of the materials used. Once upon a time, solid wood and chemically untreated materials were the pinnacle of luxury furniture. This is not always the case these days.
"We often buy used and old parts because the materials used are not that common in today's market, because they have a lot of value," says Hodges. "Honestly, I think the cost is much higher now because the lower quality materials are much cheaper. Those lower quality materials can be made into very similar pieces at a fraction of the cost, but sure, they won't last as long or maybe not be as comfortable.
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