How to Afford Luxury Home Design: Part 2

How to Afford Luxury Home Design: Part 2

In Part 1 of our ‘How to Afford Luxury Home Design’ series, we discussed personalization of your home design and the concept of “affordable luxury”. This trend, popularized by some of today’s most notable home designers, is focused on bringing a sense of luxury and class to any home, regardless of size, space and budget.

As Part 1 states, bringing “affordable luxury” to life in your home design generally requires you to work with a renowned professional design firm. This seems a bit counter-intuitive at first glance, as “professional design” and “affordable” don’t seem to fit with one another.

However, world-class design firms like Peter Salerno Inc. have made it part of their brands’ missions to provide award-winning design solutions to a wider expanse of budgets.

Skeptical readers certainly have their questions about this theory, and it’s our job to resolve those doubts. In this “Q&A” style article, we’re going to debunk some myths about professional design firms and price point, as well as offer some concrete examples that “affordable luxury” is a trend that will only become more accessible as time passes.

Q. Hiring a professional design firm inherently costs more money than a DIY approach to home design, doesn’t it?

A. Perhaps, but not necessarily – especially if you consider an investment of your time part of the expense.

Think about how much time it takes to plan, actualize and complete a DIY project. There are likely days missed from work, personal time lost on weekends, and (inevitably) the pain of having to approach various parts of your home design task two, maybe even three times to get it right.

A professional home design firm streamlines your home design process and execution, offering you the ability to get it right the first time. The proper plans will be made. Every facet of the job, from design to accessories to fixtures and nuances, will be done properly the first time to your satisfaction.

Q. How can I be sure a high-quality home design firm will match my budget?

A. If you’re seeking high-caliber design, there absolutely will be an inherent level of cost. The difference between that cost in the past versus today comes down to one factor – demand and competition.

Virtually anyone can create a world-class home design on an unlimited budget. The best design firms are all competing for your business in a slightly deflated market; as such, now is the perfect time to snag a tremendous designer at a reasonable price.

Take it from Peter Salerno Inc., the most award-winning North American custom kitchen and bath design firm of this century. Here’s a quote directly from their website:

For those that appreciate quality, craftsmanship, and design but don’t require a Rolls Royce; Transitions is the only choice. We bring our award-winning design expertise to your space accompanied by quality cabinetry with a wide variety of door styles, finishes, and moldings.

At a price-point 20%-45% less than our Tesoro line, this is the perfect option for builders and homeowners looking to furnish a home with something extraordinary while staying in budget.

Q. Okay, so world-class home design companies are competing at a more affordable price range. What about their suppliers and sub-contractors?

A. This is actually one of the major advantages of working with renowned designers. Their long-term, pre-existing relationships with suppliers, artisans and sub-contractors allow them access to more competitive rates than the average design team or consumer.

Suppliers and sub-contractors must maintain close, functional relationships with high-end custom home designers in order to maintain a steady stream of work, not to mention an appropriate level of prestige. It is in their best interest to negotiate competitive rates with the very best designers – that savings is inevitably passed on to savvy consumers.

Q. Assuming we’ve covered the home design process when it comes to “affordable luxury”, how does that apply to delivery and installation?

A. Simple. The very best custom home design companies do both.

The team at Peter Salerno Inc. explained to us recently that for the best designers, it’s never “just” about awards, trade shows and magazine articles. The true joy for these firms is in personal delivery and installation of their design creations, ensuring they come to life exactly as they were planned.

Interested in more information about “affordable luxury” when it comes to world-class custom home, kitchen and/or bath design? Fill out the contact form below and ask us your questions/give us your comments!