Home, Addressed

Episode Eight: In the final episode of this series we sit down and answer design questions directly from our listeners!

Episode Seven:

Episode Six: How to Buy the Best of Everything Online

In the last episode, we shared our top secret thrifting tips because we wholeheartedly believe that you should try to shop secondhand as much as possible. And then there's everything else you need to buy new to make your house feel like home—which is a lot. This is a very quick overview of each category, so please understand it's not comprehensive by any means. But hopefully it'll provide at least a bit of guidance.

Rug:

Cost is based on cost of labor where its made, what it’s made of, how it’s made (handmade vs machine made) and generational skill of worker. Wool and silk are most expensive, best quality fibers. Cotton and other natural fibers like seagrass or sisal are less expensive alternatives. Avoid polyester, if you can.

Some favorite rug vendors:

Revival

Zartiques

Nordic Knots

Lulu & Georgia

Serena and Lily

Annie Selke

Anthropologie

Lorena Canals (great for kids spaces)

Upholstered furniture:

Think of the 3 Fs: 

Frame: Choose a sturdy frame. Hardwood construction like kiln-dried oak, beech, or ash is durable and long-lasting, as opposed to composite board/MDF etc.

Filling: Research the filling and interior elements. Look at the joinery, any mention of hand-tied springs (they're the best) and quality foam.

Fabric: Depending on your lifestyle and your needs, opt for durable fabrics that can withstand wear and tear of daily life.

Other things to consider: measurements, sit do you like, arm height

Some favorite upholstered furniture vendors:

Blu Dot

Room and Board

Clad Home

⁠Burke Decor⁠

One Kings Lane

⁠Anthropologie⁠

The Inside

Maiden Home

⁠Crate & Barrel⁠

CB2

Tables (dining, coffee, side) + case goods ((dressers, nightstands):

Look for solid wood not wood composites or plastics. How often will you be eating here? Do you have little kids? Do you need something more durable? Opt for solid wood: pine, maple, oak, walnut. Look to see that the base is same wood as top or if its a veneer (which can mean it's not as high quality). Look dovetail or mortise and tenon joints, as well as any mention of closing mechanisms, soft-close glides. Reference vendors in bullet point above.

Lighting:

The general rule is that you want at least three light sources in a room. Consider the quality of the material, i.e. does the metal look cheap? If you don’t have a super solid vision for a space, you might want to stick with neutral lamp. But also, lamps are a budget-friendly way to play with trends.

Some favorite lighting vendors:

Crate & Barrel

Lumens

⁠Anthropologie⁠

Lamps Plus

Hay

France & Son

Ballard Designs

Curtains:

Consider the quality of the fabric when selecting your curtains (linen, velvet, etc). Does it have lining, what's the construction/style? If it's pinch or box-pleated at the top, it'll be more expensive (more labor intensive). Make sure to get samples if possible.

Some favorite curtain vendors:

⁠Anthropologie⁠

Two Pages (Jourdan is currently testing this one out)

Everhem 

Zara Home

Bedding:

You want to consider quality of fabric, looking for words about the material (avoid poly if you can). Make sure it's machine washable. This is a helpful article to further guide you.

Some favorite bedding vendors:

Brooklinen

Parachute

Schoolhouse

Wallpaper: 

The quality of the paper and the length of the roll determines the price. Is better quality wallpaper more expensive? Yes. Is it easier to apply and does it look better? Yes.

Some favorite wallpaper vendors:

⁠Anthropologie

Hygge and West

Wallpaper Direct

Spoonflower

Hardware: 

Some favorite hardware vendors:

⁠Anthropologie⁠

Rejuvenation 

House of Antique Hardware

Olde Good Things

Matilda Goad & Co

Here are this episode's 3 takeaways:

Opt for solid woods and natural materials.

Put your skeptical glasses on: read reviews with squinty eyes, always check return policies, always measure

Save the trend for decorative accessories.

Episode 5: TOP SECRET Thrifting Tips.

It's finally time to start shopping for your design project! At the start of this episode, we describe exactly why we believe in shopping secondhand as our first option to furnish a home. It's sustainable, the items are higher quality at a lower cost, and it's the best way to find unique pieces.

Here are a few articles we reference that discuss the sustainability piece in general:

‘Fast Furniture’ Is Cheap. And Americans Are Throwing It in the Trash.

Your stuff is actually worse now.

Here are tips from the four categories of secondhand stores that we highlight:

Thrift stores/flea markets:

*Location can really inform what you see on the shelves (urban, wealthier zip codes = designer items, better fashion, rural = homespun, handmade pieces like quilts and baskets etc).

*Find out when they restock and go on the following day.

*Always be on the lookout for off-season items (coats in the summer, etc).

*Ask about savings programs and discount days; befriend employees for the best deals.

*Keep an open mind!

*Take multiple passes through store.

*Haggle if an item is damaged or priced too high.

*Avoid anything broken unless you’re willing and ready to fix it.

*Look for natural fabrics, high quality details (metal zippers, lining).

*Search for stamps and markings that show authenticity and age.

*Make sure you know the store's policies (especially its return policy).

*If you like something, buy it. Don't pass it up because it won't still be there!

Antique malls + consignment stores:

*Look for the vibe of a booth (you can generally tell pretty quickly).

*Don't be afraid to haggle because many of these items sit for a long time.

*Look up and down (lighting and rugs).

Facebook marketplace:

*Put app on your phone for easiest local searching

*Search every day and save anything you like to train the algorithm

*Make an immediate offer and offer more or less depending on how its priced and how much you want it

*Join local buy/sell/trade groups as well as Instagram subscription groups that share good listings amongst themselves (The Makerista, House Friends (a design club for design enthusiasts)

*Find a buddy who loves design and is always hunting too.

Estate sales:

*Estatesales.net is the best site to find local sales.

*Look at photos and descriptions ahead of time. If you see something you want, go early on the first day and beeline to the item.

*If you're browsing or just looking for deals, go on the last day and offer less.

Here are the 3 takeaways from this episode:

1) Be prepared: Dress for easy try-ons (leggings and a tank top) plus a cross body bag so your hands are free to shop. Pack hand sanitizer, a tape measure, and make sure you have your phone for photos and to Google items.

2. Educate yourself on the store: Consider location, store policies, whether you can haggle or not, the overall vibe and prices, which are the best days to go (generally early in the week).

3. Keep an open mind! You might pass up pieces that could really work for you. And don't get too discouraged that you give up. Thrifting is a game of frequency and having fun, even when you don't score big.

Welcome to Home, Addressed! In this episode, we tackle defining what we call "core colors" and how to start creating a design plan for your next project. If you'd like to nerd out on learning about color, I highly recommend these books:

Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Exordinary Happiness by Ingrid Fetell Lee

Living with Color: Inspiration and How-Tos to Brighten Up Your Home by Rebecca Atwood

Here are the 3 takeaways from this episode:

1. Figure out your core colors (the colors you're most drawn to in inspiration photos, interior decor, and even from your closet). This will help you narrow down to using colors that most reflect you.

2. Figure out your "starting point" for the room—a focal piece of art or a rug—and let it guide your color palette. Be your own interior designer and create mood boards to see how items look together (Canva is a great resource for this). Take advantage of existing tools to play around and grow your confidence.

3. Make a list of everything you need in the space (include any professionals you'll need to hire) and start setting a budget for how much you want to spend. Schedule time to discuss with your partner so it stays high on the priority list.