USING HISTORICAL DETAILS IN DESIGN
If you are investing in a new luxury home this year, you may also be thinking about how you want to design and decorate it. Whether choosing a home with elegant Victorian architecture or a mid-century modern design, consider how the furnishings and accessories will best showcase your interests, passions, and lifestyle while adding to the charm of the historic property. You should also consider investing in a few heritage pieces. They have exceptional craftsmanship, attention to detail, and durability. Antiques go up in value if they are rare. When you are ready to start shopping, here are the best anchor pieces to invest in.
THE SOFA
One of the first heritage pieces you should invest in is your sofa. The sofa is often the premier gathering space and the anchor of your interior design, so you want one of high quality and comfort. A one–of–a–kind sofa can be handed down to the next generation, gifting them the family memories made on the sofa. This is generational wealth and also keeps heritage pieces out of the landfill. Consider going the extra step and investing in a sofa customized with fabric to your room's specifications.
DINING ROOM TABLE
A high-quality dining room table is another wonderful anchor piece to invest in for your new luxury home. The dining room is often another main gathering space, whether it is your children spreading out with their homework, your family sitting down to dinner, or you're hosting a fabulous company event. Check the dimensions of the dining room space and allow for as much seating as possible for the various functions you envision.
ANTIQUES
If you want a heritage piece with a sense of history and sophistication, check out the variety of antiques available to invest in. Antique furniture and accessories inherently come with high quality and design, giving you an item that will last for years. If you have purchased a classic Victorian home in San Francisco, look into wood and marble creations to provide that luxurious and classy touch. If you want to start with a smaller antique, consider how the addition of a classic frame or signature porcelain piece would lend warmth to your room.
AREA RUG
A high-quality area rug is an investment that will bring you long-term satisfaction. Look at the rooms you and your family will use the most as your starting point, then determine how an area rug would define the space. Many designers even start with a signature or statement rug, then build the rest of the room around it. Look for a standout, handmade rug with quality materials like wool, silk, or merino, with impeccable craftsmanship. If you commit to maintaining and caring for your rug, it could be a heritage piece that lasts for several generations.
STATEMENT ART
Artwork is another strong anchor piece to invest in as you design your new luxury home. A statement work of art is a chance to showcase your personality. Decide whether you want to start with a piece in the living room that sets the mood and feel for the house or if you would like it displayed in the entryway to provide a striking first impression. It should be something you enjoy seeing every day. Statement art often increases in value over time, so it is nearly always a worthwhile investment.
LIGHTING
The right lighting can make all the difference in how you feel about your home. Is it bright a surgical or warm and cozy? Each room presents different lighting demands based on how you and your family uses them. Set the right ambiance with a striking, unusual, or classic light fixture that shows your attention to every detail and the era or decade you are trying to evoke. You will be delighted by the way a different light fixture, lamp, or chandelier can immediately change the room's tone and mood.
DISTINCTIVE ACCESSORIES
Distinctive accessories are also popular anchor pieces to invest in. Allow your travels, personality, and family history to shine through with bold statements. Consider your interests, too, and how you can showcase them through items placed strategically throughout your home. If you are a voracious reader, for example, invest in first-edition classics that continue to increase in value over the years. Consider your heritage and how that can be reflected through textiles, collections, or objets d’art. Find a place for each thing you buy on your world tours.
The home is a reflection of who you are, where you come from, and how you think. It is a beautiful reflection of your mind.
When you are ready to design your new luxury home, consider which of these anchor pieces to invest in that will help you get started with the process. If you are interested in more ways to decorate or are ready to look for your next home in San Francisco, contact a real estate agent with a deep understanding of the area and the types of homes it offers. Bonnie Spindler, The Victorian Specialist, has worked in real estate in the San Francisco Bay Area for over thirty years. She specializes in real estate built before 1926, even living in a beautiful Victorian home herself. Contact her today, at 415-706-6660.
