Interior decorators

[mum1901]

Hello

Not specific to east dulwich but looking for some advice! We are first time buyers and are currently looking for a house to buy. So far living on rent so don't have much in terms of furniture etc. can anyone give any contacts of interior decorators who can help furnish a house at a reasonable price but good quality. Any pointers would be very useful.

Thanks

[Penguin68]

Your best bet for 'reasonable price/ good quality' is to look at antique shops, or, better, auctions - 'brown' goods (chairs, tables, chests of drawers etc.) are in a price doldrum at the moment (which is good if you are buying) and the build quality is often good. Even though prices are low, they will at least maintain, which anything other than modern high-end designer definitely won't.

If you use an interior designer/ decorator you will be paying for their skill over and above the cost of the items acquired. They may be able to source very expensive items slighlty cheaper, but they can't be relied on to source 'cheap but good' items. That's not their value-add, normally.

In buying at auctions/ antique shops make sure you are clear what you want, and the size (dimensions) of spaces you need to fill. Furniture with the utility mark, or which is Victorian or older will generally be of good build quality (there are expections) so check carefully what you are buying - particularly for active worm (if you tap something with holes in and wood dust comes out I would avoid, unless you know how to treat for worm).

It's much more fun building up your own furnishings from antique shops and sales than leaving it to a third party, and in my experience, much better value. At least you can normally sell-on what you later can afford to replace - which you can't so readily do with items bought new. (But a really important investment is a bed - here buy the best you can afford, with the best (new) mattress - second hand bedding is to be avoided).

If you end up with a dining set where the chairs broadly match (same style) but aren't all identical, it's known as a harlequin set, and is very respectable. Recovering drop-in seats with the same material will bring them together visually.

[Loz]

I found some really nice furniture on eBay, including some nice antique stuff. Lovely Ducal pine dresser - ?150, Antique oak desk and chair - ?120, 19th century drop leaf Pembroke table - ?75.

You generally need to be able to pick up, though. (Zipvans are brilliant for this).

[BhavT]

Hi - I can assist you with this, have recently completed a low budget project in the local area and would love to discuss your project with you. Please feel free to contact me at bhavin@bhavintaylordesign or 07415 646 377