Worth Every Penny

PERSONAL AUTHENTICITY
“I really wanted the personality of the homeowners to shine the moment someone walked through the door. We invested in a bold leopard-print stair runner in an unexpected colorway, then punctuated it with a large-format wallpaper. While the colors of the two elements are different, their organic patterns marry them beautifully. Devoting a portion of the budget to these quality pieces was not only practical but made a huge impact on the overall design.” — JP Beaudoin, No Beige Days Interiors

JP’S SPLURGE-WORTHY DESIGN TIPS:

• Don’t be afraid to infuse your personality into your home. You live there NOW. Surround yourself with decor that makes you happy and creates a homey feeling. Do not design for the purpose of reselling. 
• Wallpaper can be a fun and deliberate way to add big personality to your spaces. Milton and King offers design-forward patterns and textures that are printed on demand and ship from Texas within 7 days. 
• Quality paint and lighting completely transform how a room looks and feels. I recommend using pigment-rich paint like Farrow & Ball. It provides deep, rich color that shifts beautifully with the natural light throughout the day. Layer your lighting sources to create a calm, moody atmosphere.

Available at MDC: The Ghiordes Knot stair runner; Schumacher wallpaper; Gunnar Olivier Design Farrow & Ball paint.

FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS
“We found a wonderful rug from The Ghiordes Knot for this dining room, beautifully tying together the room's beige tones and my client’s favorite color, blue. It blends seamlessly with the other floor coverings on the main level. A quality rug is a lasting investment; if you ever decide to update your furniture scheme, you can easily swap in new chairs or a sofa that complements this versatile piece.

The original artwork in this dining room was selected for its unusual perspective, the balance it brings to the wall, and the way it blends with the credenza and the rest of the space. Artwork is a true reflection of the homeowners and their design aesthetic.” — Lois Haron, Lois Haron Designs

LOIS’ SPLURGE-WORTHY DESIGN TIPS:

• Custom pillows are a terrific investment. You can choose the perfect pattern, color, size, and filling that will make the design “pop.”
• When selecting hardware for kitchen cabinets, splurge on 7 to 9-inch handles. The novelty of the longer length draws attention to the hardware versus a standard 5 to 6-inch length. Added texture on the hardware also makes it worthy of the cost. 
• An interesting way to design a kitchen island is to use uniform cabinet colors but choose a contrasting countertop for the island. That way, if you want a change years later, you only have to replace the one countertop rather than the entire base.  

Available at MDC: The Ghiordes Knot rug; TRA Art Group original artwork.

ONE OF A KIND
“This house sits on a lake, so we wanted something special for the lower-level walk-out space that feels casual and beachy. I love how the texture on this unique cabinet mimics patterns found in nature, softening a very functional piece. It’s one of a kind, automatically making it splurge-worthy.” — Amy Miller Weinstein, AMW Design Studio 

AMY’S SPLURGE-WORTHY DESIGN TIPS:

• If you find a unique piece that you love, get it. The joy of owning it makes it worthy of the splurge.
• Hand-made pieces are always special and often become family heirlooms for generations.
• Splurge-worthy pieces add personality and pizzazz. They provide the “wow” factor that carries the room from ordinary to absolutely fabulous, making them the stars of the show!

Available at MDC: CAI Designs buffet and chairs; Tennant & Associates chair fabric.

FOCAL POINT
“When my clients bought this home, the family room's woodwork was one of the features they loved most. It provides incredible warmth and texture. While we chose more classic furniture styles, the abstract artwork introduces a fresh, modern element while maintaining those same warm tones.” — Debi Hollis, Interior Lifestyles  

DEBI’S SPLURGE-WORTHY DESIGN TIPS: 

• When deciding whether to splurge on a design feature, I look at where it will make the most visual impact or “pop.” A large-format piece of art can become the focal point of the room, making it worth every penny. By combining the right colors, sometimes mixing styles, and finding the right place to hang it, the art becomes a conversation piece that brings the room together.
• A unique, non-mass-produced piece of art completely transforms a space, making your home feel incredibly special. Investing in art sets you apart from the crowd and outlasts any fleeting trend. I love to ask my clients: Would you rather a guest say, "I've seen that before," or "Where on Earth did you get that gorgeous piece?"

Available at MDC: Rita O’Brien Interiors artwork.