It's not so often these days that you have something made specifically for you.
The most common thing I can think of is a meal at a restaurant and even still you have ordered this from a menu. Imagine going to a restaurant and ordering exactly what you feel like and having their expertise drive the meal toward something just for you.
That is the experience of custom furniture.
It is a process that considers the ideal dimensions of the space it will be occupying, the right colour or finish to compliment its surroundings, a certain sense of heart and soul from the maker and sentimental value from yourself, especially if you were involved in the design process. Imagine a piece holding those kinds of energies in your home.
'Ok, yeah that sounds great, how much will it cost?'
This is the main barrier that might stand in the way of someone even considering a custom piece.
Fair enough! It's a good question and very much part of a buyers brief, the answer is varied, re-upholstering an old piece can work out to be similar price to a chair brought from a chain store floor, custom cabinetry may end up adding a much higher value to your home when its time to sell, some places are made to order anyway and have customised options.
Here are some ways you can consider a custom piece in your home to create a more expressive and soulful space, designed just for you.
RE-UPHOLSTERING
I love this option, its such a great way to inject some fun or intentional attribution to your living space, especially if an item has sentimental value.
I picked up an old La-z-boy from a thrift store for my sons nursery, thinking we would let it go when I was no longer feeding. We ended up gaining sentimental value to the chair and everybody loved it, so we have it recovered, now it is in our living room in a eucalyptus fabric, it has character with a modern finish and is very comfy and practical. It's also nice to know somebody's old chair now has a new life instead of ending up at the dump.
Me (and my dog Zoe) from the Taranaki Daily News - sitting on my old upholstered La-z-boy
CUSTOM CABINETRY
Is so worth it.
It is designed to fit your space, you can transform a household having adequate storage. You can create an incredible TV cabinet that is the showstopper of your open living space.
Take cupboards to the ceiling to gain extra storage and use dead space.
Finishes and hardware are chosen to compliment your interior so there is room for creativity here too, include lighting for practical use and elevate the experience.
Chances are you are also hiring a local joiner which means you are paying for local product and spending the money in your own community.
UP-CYCLING
I have a feeling that up-cycled furniture is going to become quite the hot topic in interiors moving forward. There are so many existing beautiful pieces out there which can be re-finished into a new glory and add some eclectic or and even classic touch to a space.
There are also many products out there that create different finishes and more people giving life to old pieces for a fee, if you are not the DIY type. Do note that the result may not be exactly what you had in mind if you are wanting a timber finish (rather than paint) as character of the wood may be revealed in the stripping down process and timber varies being a natural material.
CUSTOM SOFA Are becoming more available as larger stores tend to have more options now for fabric choices, sizes and configurations. Why not tailor your choice to fit your space just right and accomodate its users - including your dog.
The price of these options is defined by the choice of fabric, usually there will be a standard range as well as leather options or velvet etc.
Look out for New Zealand made custom sofa's too to support our makers.
Eve Sofa - Citta Design - available in a variety of configurations and fabrics.
COMMISSIONING A 'ONE OFF' CUSTOM PIECE
This comes down to the maker, it may be a timber dining table, a piece of art or ceramic.
Having something designed and created especially for your interior is a very fun, very personalised way to bring all kinds of value to your space.
These opportunities are usually boutique or a sole trader which means you are supporting an individual creator. While these options are probably a bit more in cost than store bought, isn't it incredible to contribute to having more soul pieces in the world, they are usually a talking point for guests too.
KEEPING THE OLD THING
You may have an old item and think to yourself, this will go after the new build/renovation but consider holding on to it. When absolutely everything is new, a space can feel too much like a showroom, the juxtaposition of an old piece in a new space, can bring in texture, detail and character.
Overall, I think custom pieces are a really nice way to slow things down and really appreciate the items that we have in our homes.
Custom pieces require thought and application from yourself as well as a designer/maker and this collaboration is part of what makes it so special.
Creating our homes should be fun and if you find the decision process is just too much there is always help if you need it! ;)
Have a beautiful day, designing your life x
Lauren Shiels - The Healing Spaces Project.
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