We’ve all fallen head over heels for a piece of décor, spent to bring it home, and discovered it didn’t work well after all. When you’re investing in furniture, redoing a room, or reimagining your entire home, a misstep can take a big bite out of your budget. Ethan Allen has been in business for 94 years, so we know a thing or two about making furniture of exceptional quality—and this is how we help our clients get the most from their investment. To start, identify the core pieces you want to invest in for longevity. When you look through the room you want to redo, note the big items: seating in the living room, the bed in the bedroom, or the table in the dining room.
These pieces form the bones of your room and will be the ones you’ll want to keep for years to come, says Ethan Allen design consultant Lisa Matrale. “When core investment pieces are well made and timeless, you can make small aesthetic updates around them as your style changes—while still keeping the pieces you really invested in.” Conventional wisdom on timelessness says that neutral fabric, leather, and finishes and silhouettes that have remained popular for decades are a good place to start—but true timelessness is about what’s going to make you happy over the long haul. Look at your closet, the furniture you own and love, even the photography that inspires you. “What draws you in over and over again is your version of timelessness,” Lisa says.
As you evaluate pieces of furniture, look for brands that have strong quality controls in place. At Ethan Allen, our craftspeople inspect logs and lumber as they come in, and kiln-dry all lumber used in wood furniture; these safeguards prevent the finished piece from splitting and cracking. High-quality joinery like mortise-and-tenon and dovetail for drawers ensures lasting durability. Hand-applied, layered finishes are inspected against a standard, master finish sample. Upholstery fabrics are tested for colorfastness and more, and cushion foam is CertiPUR®-U.S. certified. Of course, furniture quality points can be a lot to remember—that’s when an expert really comes in handy. Ask an interior designer to recommend pieces of high quality that will suit you for years to come.
At Ethan Allen, where design service is always complimentary, you can drop by and talk to a designer any time. As you talk to the designer, ask yourself: Does the designer really hear and understand you, your needs, and your concerns? Do they listen to your budget and have a transparent, realistic plan to honor it? Once you feel confident that your designer is on your team, ask them to stop by for a home call or take a look at your future home’s architectural plans. Ethan Allen design consultant Stephen Kimak, who’s also a New Jersey State Registered Architect, says measurement isn’t optional when it comes to picking furniture. “Be aware of your space’s dimensions, as well as your furniture’s intended delivery path; you don’t want to spend money on something that won’t fit. If you need help, ask a design professional; we do measurements for clients every day.”
A presentation is usually the next step in the design process. “I love doing presentations with Ethan Allen’s 3D planner because clients are always wowed—the dollhouse view and first-person walkthrough are so realistic,” says Stephen. Taking the time to have 3D planning done is a safe way to visualize your project before you invest—and it’s much easier to change a rendering than swap furniture within your home. “By taking time to get the design right at the beginning, you save yourself cost and headaches later on.” What about artwork, rugs, lighting, and other accents? Lisa says they’re a way to add a fresh material or color to a room, just like how new jewelry, shoes, or a bag are excellent avenues to experimentation within an outfit.
They also cost less than your big investment pieces, so you can easily switch them out over time. “If you have a trendy color or material you like but aren’t sure about, try it on small upholstery pieces, like an ottoman or a single chair,” Lisa shares. “There are so many options for fabric or leather, color, pattern, and wood tones.” It’s also important to be aware of how your space is used, so when you begin to work with your interior designer, tell them about your home now. Do you need pieces for a room serving two needs, like a living room where you also work from home? Do you need an easy-clean space for your kids to hang out in? “Think about how your space will look in five or 10 years,” says Stephen. “Will you still like a certain piece if its material wears or develops a patina? It’s part of a designer’s job to help you visualize how your furniture may evolve or change.”
Finally, a good designer relationship doesn’t end when the furniture gets dropped off. When your furniture arrives, ask the delivery specialists or your designer how mechanisms like extension tabletops work. “If something doesn’t look right, speak up,” says Stephen. “Your interior designer should want everything to look and feel right, and they should help you if it’s not.” Ethan Allen believes quality furniture and professional interior design should be attainable for everyone—which is why our design service is always complimentary. Visit Ethan Allen’s new Design Center in Watchung at 1605 U.S. Highway 22, or call 908.754.7200 to book a complimentary appointment. “By taking the time to get the design right at the beginning, you save yourself cost and headaches later on.”
“When core investment pieces are well made and timeless, you can make small aesthetic updates around them as your style changes.”
“By taking the time to get the design right at the beginning, you save yourself cost and headaches later on.”