Episodes
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Episode Eight: In the final episode of this series we sit down and answer design questions directly from our listeners!
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Episodes manquant?
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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 homeâwhich 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 itâs made of, how itâs 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 â Burke Decorâ One Kings Lane â Anthropologieâ The Inside Maiden Home â Crate & Barrelâ CB2Tables (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 donât 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 â Anthropologieâ Lamps Plus Hay France & Son Ballard DesignsCurtains:
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:
â Anthropologieâ Two Pages (Jourdan is currently testing this one out) Everhem Zara HomeBedding:
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 SchoolhouseWallpaper:
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:
â Anthropologie Hygge and West Wallpaper Direct SpoonflowerHardware:
Some favorite hardware vendors:
â Anthropologieâ Rejuvenation House of Antique Hardware Olde Good Things Matilda Goad & CoHere 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.
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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:
âFast Furnitureâ 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 youâre 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 roomâa focal piece of art or a rugâand 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. -
Welcome to Home, Addressed! In the first two episodes, we learned about each otherâs style backgrounds and then tackled our existing stuff and how to edit out what's not working. In this third episode, we discuss strategies for cutting through the overwhelming amount of inspiration in the world as you continue to define and refine your personal style at home.
Here are the 3 takeaways from this episode:
1) Figure out a handful (3 or so) words that describe a general feeling reflective of your style.
2) Seek out non-digital inspiration in your daily life and when traveling away from your hometown.
3) Use Pinterest and Instagram intentionally, following the thread the algorithms provide and being open-minded to new, different sources and styles.
Our favorite non-digital sources for inspiration:
*Local museums, shops and restaurants with great design
*Go on walks and look at exterior architecture, looking up and down as you move through the world (fantastic tile and ceiling treatments abound!)
*Sign up for holiday house tours or other opportunities to tour beautiful homes in your area.
*Estate sales! Just stepping inside older homes and seeing how people live can provide inspiration.
Design magazines:
House Beautiful
Architectural Digest
Domino
House & Garden
World of Interiors
Elle Decoration
Vogue Living Austrailia
Favorite design books:
*Ebay, bookshop.org, and thrift stores for old design books
*Every Room Should Sing
*A Room of Her Own
*The Perfectly Imperfect Home
*Perfect English Style
Cookbooks:
*The Cookâs Atelier
*A Table for Friends
*Timeless ParisDigital favorites:
*House & Garden YouTube Series
*Rita Konig on Create Academy -
Welcome to Home, Addressed! We passionately believe that the best, most beautiful spaces tell our personal style stories. After learning about each otherâs style and design backgrounds, in this second episode, we discuss how to tackle your existing stuffâway before you ever turn to Pinterest or click âAdd to Cart.â Itâs crucial that you examine existing pieces that might already reflect your personal style, and then edit out what doesnât feel like âyou.â
Here are the 3 takeaways from this episode:
Durability (is the piece well-made and not falling apart) Meaning (does it hold sentimental value or memories or beauty) Versatility (does it look good with other pieces you own, will it work in multiple settings, etc).
1. When determining what to keep, adopt the DMV test:2. Remember this mantra: You have to give good shit to get good shit. Itâs a wise practice to get into, releasing items into the world to make space for whatâs likely even more suitable for you.
3. Consider donating to local resale shops or non-profits, selling items on Facebook marketplace or hosting a decor swap party with your friends who also love interior design.
Related articles:
*10 tips for identifying quality furniture
*As if we needed more reasons to hoard vintage furniture (better made! better priced!) -
Episode 1 Show Notes: Letâs Go Back to the Beginning... Welcome to Home, Addressed! We passionately believe that the best, most beautiful spaces tell our personal style stories. So in this first episode, we revisit the places and spaces that first introduced us to interior design: our childhood homes (s/o to our Moms!), our favorite tv and movie homes, and other formative people and places from our pasts.
Here are the three takeaways from this episode:
1) Consider what you loved most about your childhood home and try to recreate those feelings. This can be searching out pieces of furniture (try digging through your parentsâ attic!), revisiting paint colors you loved or cushy chairs where you read books. Engaging your senses in nostalgic sights, smells or sounds will likely bring joy and comfort.
2) Jog your memory for other people you encountered who had great personal style: maybe it was that stylish old lady at church or a neighbor who decorated like no one was watching. Channel them to step outside of your comfort zone.
3) Rewatch films, books, movies you loved as a kid and teenager for inspiration. This practice will make your inner child feel loved and also remind you that design trends are cyclical and classic pieces are timeless.
A few favorite movie/tv homes:*Father of the Bride house
*Clarissa Explains it All room (Margo loves the red and pink quilt, Jourdan loves how Clarissaâs rebellious self-expression)
*Cherâs way normal closet (as if!)
*Berenstain Bears treehouse
*Miss Honeyâs house in Matilda
*Angelina Ballerina
*Little Women
*Brambly HedgeOther related articles:
*How our childhood homes shape us
*Reimagining a childhood home (with a Hollywood twist)
