Save vs. Splurge
When it comes to interior design, you don’t need to splurge on every single item to achieve a high-end look. But it’s important to make sure that you’re saving on the right pieces.
Save
Pillows
One item that I recommend SAVING on are pillows and throws. Textiles like throw pillows and blankets can transform a space, and there are many beautiful options available at a steal. Fun colours, stylish patterns and gorgeous materials like linen and velvet can add perfect accents to a space with little impact on the overall budget. Whether we’re going for a trendy vibe or a classic look, these types of textiles can make a huge difference. Minimum input, maximum results.
Rugs
When you think of buying a new rug, do any of these words come to mind: Persian, investment or even “oh no”? It doesn’t have to be that way! Despite their reputation for being considerable expenditures, when it comes to splurging vs. saving to get maximum impact for minimal input in interior design, rugs are actually one of the items that I recommend saving on.
Everyone loves a good rug. 
From natural to geometric to tribal to plush to vintage to Moroccan, rugs help define a space, they feel great on the feet, they bring warmth and comfort to a room, they’re grounding and they can be incredibly beautiful. The obsession with Swedish hygge (have you heard of it?) is still strong. Nesting is in. So when it comes to interior design, great rugs have never been more essential! Now this may come as a surprise, but I always advocate for saving when it comes to buying rugs for a model home or suite. Despite rugs’ reputations for being big investments (a fine Persian rug can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars 
), you can get high-quality, durable and stylish rugs quite affordably these days. You just have to know what to look for and where to shop. 
Some of my favourite rug retailers are Wayfair Canada, Crate & Barrel and RENWIL. You can also find some great rugs at IKEA. And in terms of what to look for: Flat-woven rugs stand the test of time better than the high-pile kind
High-pile rugs can be very beautiful and cozy in places like bedrooms, living rooms and kids’ playrooms — they’re great in smaller doses (smaller-sized area rugs)
Choose high-quality materials, such as cotton or wool (rather than materials like polyester or viscose/rayon)
Natural fibers such as sisal and jute are also great options — they’re in style and inexpensive
Always invest in a good rug pad for underneath a rug, for increased comfort and less slip
Make sure you pick the right size (here are some great tips)
- High-pile rugs can be very beautiful and cozy in places like bedrooms, living rooms and kids’ playrooms — they’re great in smaller doses (smaller-sized area rugs)
- Choose high-quality materials, such as cotton or wool (rather than materials like polyester or viscose/rayon)
- Natural fibers such as sisal and jute are also great options — they’re in style and inexpensive
- Always invest in a good rug pad for underneath a rug, for increased comfort and less slip
- Make sure you pick the right size (here are some great tips)
Rug Love: Save but Save Smart!
Flat-woven rugs are easier to clean and more durable than high-pile rugs (e.g. shag).
Natural materials like cotton, wool, sisal and jute are affordable, stylish and long-lasting.
Rug pads bring increased comfort to a rug, giving it a luxurious plush feeling — plus, less slip.
Twice Make sure you know the right size before jumping on a great deal.
Splurge
Art
Art: it’s subjective. Classic paintings, funky prints, modern photos, avant-garde sculptures… there are so many forms and styles of art, but one thing that they all have in common is that we love to include them in our homes. Interior design just isn’t the same without art. Art adds colour, style and personality to a space. It brings visual interest, provides emotional power and evokes feeling. It can be beautiful, subtle or striking. It brings a space to life. Art can be a serious investment or you can pick up inexpensive prints at Walmart or IKEA. As long as you love it, does it really matter where it came from?
Great art doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, but it is one of the items that I recommend splurging on when it comes to interior design. It makes sense to invest a bit because when it comes to art — which by its very nature is unique, distinctive and created with care — you get what you pay for. In addition, the art you invest in will likely stay in your home for years and years. It’s not disposable in the way that, say, glassware or a rug is. Art is a lifetime investment, so even if we’re just designing a model home, the artwork should look special and unique. Good framing is also an investment. Whether you’re working with an original painting, a photo, a print or a poster, professional framing can make an immense difference in its appearance and presentation — and professional framing is an investment. Here are some tips for buying and investing in art:
- Take your time finding art that you love, that fits in with the style and aesthetic of your home, and that you’ll be happy to live with for a long time
- Explore art galleries and local museums to get a feel for the type of artwork you love
- Check out online art galleries and stores for even more options
- Seek out emerging artists at graduate shows and art fairs to find unique, one-of-a-kind artwork for better value
- Consider buying prints, as they can be a more affordable way to get distinctive and original art Above all, choose artwork that feeds your soul and lights you up! It’s a great investment for your home that you won’t regret. Art: Worth the Investment
Art: Worth the Investment
Consider the style and general aesthetic of your home so you can choose art that fits in.
Explore, explore, explore! Visit art galleries, museums, graduate shows and art fairs.
Discover your options and what you love. Support emerging talent and local artists.
Prints are an affordable and entry-level way to get original and striking art work you love.
Light Fixtures, the Jewellery of the Home
How are you doing tonight? More importantly, how’s the lighting wherever you’re reading this right now? In my love for interior design, achieving good lighting and finding the perfect light fixture for a space are special passions of mine.
When designing a model home or suite, I always keep lighting top of mind, because it truly makes a huge difference in the final presentation. I’m spilling all my best lighting tips, including why it’s always a good idea to splurge (not save!) when it comes to light fixtures. When deciding where to scrimp and where to spend on a model home (it’s all a balance!), I always recommend to clients that they splurge on the light fixtures.
The light fixtures are a home’s jewellery, by which I mean they’re the finishing touches that add 
sparkle and a certain je ne sais quois to a home, providing adornment and catching the eye, just like a diamond necklace on a beautiful woman makes her even more beautiful and radiant.
Good lighting accentuates a home’s gorgeous architecture and features, elevating its appearance in home buyers’ eyes and literally putting it in the best possible light. 
Smart lighting choices can enhance a room’s features and make a space feel bigger, brighter, and overall more inviting to potential buyers.
Also like jewellery, light fixtures come in many different styles and are the perfect way to help define a model home’s style and to make a statement. Whether traditional and elegant or whimsical and hip, lighting sets the mood and creates a strong impression.
Upgrading the light fixtures in a model home is always a good investment. It sets the tone and has that invaluable “wow” factor. TL;DR (too long; didn’t read)? 
Here are my top 4 reasons why you should splurge on light fixtures:
They make an impression Being memorable and leaving potential home buyers with a distinct feeling is a great way for your model to stand out.
They enhance a home’s beauty Just like jewellery, lighting accentuates a home’s architecture and features, putting them in the best light.
They help to set the mood Lighting defines and boosts a home’s style. Whether it’s traditional or trendy, lighting sets the mood and tells a story. You can tell if they’re cheap. Ha! It’s true. While a lot of accessories in a model home can be cheap and cheerful, good lighting stands alone.
