Fitting in furniture: How to
Wednesday, 1 February 2012 5:39 PM
Interior design will make or break a new home. That's whether you have just moved in, are downsizing to a small apartment or upsizing to an expansive period property.
The most important feature? The furniture. It needs to not only fit your theme but also stand the test of time. With so many options available, how do you pick the perfect piece?
We speak to Tony Portus – founder of British furniture design website Makers’ Eye, who shares his wisdom on how to choose exceptional furniture as well as how to commission a truly outstanding piece of British design for your home.
Hi Tony, how should furniture be approached if downsizing?
If you have recently downsized to a smaller property and are stuck with a collection of furniture that simply does not fit with your new space, you need to be strict and keep a clear mind.
The first thing you must do is let go of your old furniture emotionally – there will be pieces that have sentimental value but the truth is, if you have come from a large property the likelihood is that your furniture was designed to fill that space so there is simply no point in trying to make it fit. If the pieces have a value then sell, sell, sell! There is a great market out there for second hand furniture and the money you make from those pieces can go towards a brand new piece that fits and will stay with you for even longer.
Once you have de-cluttered, you must determine the function of your new piece. Smaller spaces need functionality; you should pick pieces that are practical. Look at your floor space and go for height and not width or surface area. Aesthetics follow function – if you still have space then you can think about those aesthetically pleasing pieces and pick an item that is truly beautiful. If you can combine that with functionality then you’ve found a high quality piece of British design.
How about if moving to a larger property?
It can be daunting if you’re moving into a listed or period property. The architecture and period style can begin to influence your interior design.
A beautiful piece of furniture can create an interesting contrast wherever you place it, take a risk and don’t be scared to mix it up a little. If you’re faced with a large room it can be tempting to fill it with loads of large pieces, but a quality piece will fill the room itself and become a focal point.
The background is as important as the piece you have chosen, think of your interior design as a frame or background for your furniture – let the design breathe. Good quality timber doesn’t need to be surrounded by fuss.
So once style and function is established– where next?
The next most influential factor is budget, and I would always say that it is cheaper in the long term to pay more for your items. If you invest in a piece that is going to stay with you – and keep its condition for 30 years, you will get much better value for money compared to a poor quality piece that you have to re-buy every five years.
The benefits of buying furniture through a gallery or maker are that you can be assured of where it has come from and that you are getting value for money.
Why should people invest in a beautiful bespoke piece of British design?
The main reason is to simply bring you pleasure. With the world economy the way it is at the moment, if you have money tied up in shares it’s not going anywhere – if you have some spare money just enjoy the process of looking for a piece and having it in your home for the rest of your life.
Which piece would you choose for your own private collection?
I have so many – and have blogged about them, but if I had to choose one and only one it would have to be Xtable and Achairs from David Colwell.
If you're interested in finding your perfect piece of furniture then you can browse the showroom on the Makers’ Eye website which includes all of the pieces pictured here.
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