Have Fewer Things but Better Things - Advice from a Decorator

During the week, the newest issues of my favorite decorating magazines came to my door-steps and I have had exciting - even giddy - moments with them already.  I really devour them for ideas, inspiration and confirmation and when I finally am done with them, pass them on to several friends.  This old style "print" medium still works for me!

One article that caught my attention and one I believe in is in the May issue of House Beautiful link and part of its "101 Tips from the Experts" series.  It is called "Have Fewer Things but Better Things" and discusses the decorating philosophy of Suzanne Rheinstein.

Her advice, particularly for young people starting out is:

Have fewer things, but better things.  It's not 10-minute decorating.  If you buy one good thing a year, you'll have five really good things.  Of course, you'll have to take the time to learn about quality and to appreciate it.  But it's worth doing ...

This was a timely article for me because I am at that point in my life (way beyond young) where I only want good quality furnishings in my home and am starting to replace those items that don't quite meet the mark.  I have spent over 10 years learning about what quality looks and feels like and the hallmarks of fine furniture quality.  I have also learned that it doesn't require a big bankbook to acquire the best.  My usual estate and garage sale haunts as well as craigslist have given me the opportunities to acquire some great pieces that, I believe, Suzanne had in mind when discussing her design philosophy.

This is the first of a blog series about acquiring that one good thing (and the next and the next).   I hope it inspires others to not settle for less!

I have just had an expensive renovation completed on my foyer (see yesterday's blog) and wanted the furnishings to reflect that space - providing a lovely opening to my home.   I had several older (literally Victorian-age) pieces of furniture in the space and a chair I had had reupholstered about 10 years ago.  These items were fine - perhaps even a little better than fine - but did not reflect the best I could find to use in this space.  Over the weekend, I found this great Baker Furniture chair on craigslist - it is in wonderful condition and worked in my setting (the easily viewed kitchen beyond is all blues and yellows).  The construction qualities were known to me just by having the Baker label attached although it did add specific details about down composition and inner springs in the seat cushion.  The prior owner, a self-proclaimed decorator moving to Florida, told me this chair had retailed for $2700 and I believe her.  I bought it for $300!

My Baker Fine Furniture Chair in Foyer

I love the chair in this space and was able to insert better furniture for very little money - you just have to be diligent in your search and know what to look for - clearly a good label (and knowledge about that label) helps enormously.  My next blog on this subject will address a wonderful French style chest of drawers by Hickory Chair also bought for this space!

This blog is linked to Miss Mustard Seed's Friday Furniture Link Party