Why a little luxe is what you need in your spaces
With the cost of living rising around the world, more people are truly investing in their spaces.
Employing the services of professional decorators and creating a cohesive look in homes has to give bang for the buck because it’s about more than looking good. Interior design has always been about balancing the need for correct flow and ergonomics with visual appeal and expressing individual personality. But, clients don’t have unlimited budgets. No matter the size of the home or the specific challenges of a room, the goal is always the same - create an environment that’s beautiful, functions well, and is created with the budget boundaries being respected. A classic approach designers use is to carefully bring in luxury with selected elements to get the look without breaking the bank.
The world is full of dupes
One of the hottest words on social media is dupe. Whether it’s cosmetics or fashion, everyone’s looking for something that replicates a big name brand product but for a fraction of the usual price. It’s wonderful that design is much more accessible and more companies and retailers are catering to a wider variety of budgets. But, is a dupe always the right choice?
While it may make sense economically to choose the more affordably priced product, having a room made up of only dupes can unintentionally create a look that doesn’t live up to expectations or actually diminishes the interest or personality of the space by looking - dare we say it - cheap. Another consideration is quality. A dupe doesn’t always match the quality of the higher priced product so, the purchase choice must be well thought out. If the higher price is going to be paid, the consumer is well within their right to expect top quality that lasts.
What creates high-end aesthetics
There are fundamentals that define the high-end look:
Mastery of materials
Acknowledging and valuing the use of top-tier materials often found in upscale interior designs, including sophisticated fabrics, marble, granite, fine woods, and various metals.
Precision in detailing
Understanding the significance of attention to detail, elaborate patterns, and exacting craftsmanship defines luxurious designs.
Accents in the accessories
Houseplants, lighting, wall art and decor pieces such as vases or sculptures can instantly take a room from ordinary to outstanding.
Luxe touches that elevate interiors
Furniture - Careful curation of furniture is key to achieving a high-end look. Plus, good quality furniture is an investment that provides comfort and great style for decades. Look for classic shapes but don’t be afraid to add one or two statement pieces. Then, whether you buy pre-loved or brand-new, make sure you have good-quality upholstery. FibreGuard fabrics are a wonderful option as their durability and stain-free technology mean your favourite furniture will last even longer and look stylish.
Colour choices - A thoughtfully curated colour palette can convey opulence, often featuring a blend of neutral shades, deep tones, and striking contrasts. Whether it’s in the wall treatment, the drapery, floors, or finishes such as taps or door handles, colour plays a critical role. It may mean that a certain product in a specific colour may be of higher cost but it builds the foundation of a space which means it can remain even if other elements in the room are altered over the years.
Fabrics - Soft furnishings in a home engage many senses and it should all send one message of luxury. Home Fabrics boasts a wide variety of upholstery and drapery that feature embroidery, striking printed designs, and a luxuriously soft touch. The exceptional quality of the products means you don’t have to fear replacing them soon and striking the balance between timeless and fun selections in fabric creates a space with much more charm and personality.
Luxury made simple
Sometimes, you need one destination where you can get beautiful decor and furniture pieces that simplifies the creation of luxury within spaces. Casa Italia has been in the furniture business for 15 years and created premium hubs where it’s easy to find a variety of beautiful pieces in one place. What this means is you can find those special touches of luxury without going from retailer to retailer and you're guaranteed a high-quality piece of furniture with a variety of designs to choose from. They also ensure their sofas, occasional chairs, dining chairs and other seating items sport elegant fabrics, making it easy to integrate into interior design visions. Whether you need something contemporary or perhaps a traditional style with gravitas, Casa Italia is your destination of choice.
Buy once, buy better
When adding luxury touches to interiors, invest in products and elements that will endure and provide a good foundation for the design. This ensures that the items can be enjoyed for a much longer duration but they can also work with any future changes. If there are budget constraints, allocate a portion to selected high-quality items that fulfil key roles and then look for cost-effective options to complete the look, like these beautiful Byzance Trimmings by Osborne & Little. Home Fabrics also stocks accessories from international brands that allow you to bring a high-end look into a home without having to get it custom-made, like these gorgeous scatter cushions from Designers Guild. Another idea is to transform a thrifted ottoman with a luxe upholstery fabric so the overall product still costs less than buying it new.
Achieving elegance
Any design style can look more high-end by infusing elegance into the space. If you need inspiration or guidance on the different fabrics that can be incorporated to achieve this, visit your local Home Fabrics showroom where you can discover the right products for your project needs. Our expert team can inspire and inform with a wide selection of upholstery and drapery fabrics. And, if you’re looking for a retailer with products that make use of specific fabrics, they can offer guidance and direction as well. Great soft furnishings can easily be found to help elevate spaces with the luxe looks everyone desires.
Shop the look
Here are some of our favourite fabrics featured in this article, and where you can buy them.
Collection: Bravo by FibreGuard
Fabric type: Plain | Texture | Upholstery
Colour: 32-Chocolate
Available at: Home Fabrics
Collection: Ghirlandanda by Designers Guild
Fabric type: Damask | Velvet | Multi-purpose, Drapery, Upholstery
Colour: Eleonora Velours Viridian
Available at: Home Fabrics
Collection: Drama by FibreGuard
Fabric type: Plain | Chenille | Multi-purpose, Drapery, Upholstery
Colour: 13-Bottle
Available at: Home Fabrics