From The Quarterly, Issue 2: Lucie Ayres on Convincing Clients to Invest in Forever Furniture
By Lucie Ayres
We all have that one client who really pushes us, who keeps us on our toes, who insists on detailed analysis of colors, fabrics, wood stains in a way that forces us to pull deep into the why of our decision making. We recently photographed a project for that one client of ours in Tribeca, New York. Our client loves design, which resulted in many long, colorful, in-depth discussions and a suite of stunning, exquisitely layered rooms.
Like us, our client is a firm believer in the old adage “buy once, cry once” (i.e., it’s always better to pay more for an item of exceptional quality and longevity than to give in to the false economy of an inexpensive item that will end up in a landfill after a few years). At our photoshoot, while admiring her gorgeous custom bed, she said to me, offhand, “this is the bed I’m going to die in.” Though the wording may have surprised me, the concept made perfect sense.
The idea of investing in “forever furniture” as though it’s a “forever home” has definitely become a trend in the post-pandemic design industry. As with fashion, consumers are understanding that the best made, best designed pieces are timeless—and can be repaired or customized instead of being replaced. We’re seeing a growing unease with the environmentally destructive phenomenon of disposable furniture, especially overseas-made furniture that often arrives broken, but can’t be returned due to the exorbitant shipping costs (often, shockingly, the vendor’s advice is to trash it while a replacement is sent).
Aside from lasting a lifetime, many widely available design classics actually appreciate over the years. The Eames chair that my husband and I bought almost 20 years ago, for example, would now sell for more than twice its mid-2000s retail price on sites like Chairish or 1stdibs. Like real estate, in other words, the right furniture can be an investment with utility. Buying such pieces also means supporting North American workers and smaller businesses. And for those who’ve been priced out of the property market—or need the flexibility of renting due to work—owning a selection of carefully curated “forever furniture” means that no matter where you live, you’ll always feel at home. And why not take the time now to think about the furniture that will surround you on your last days? None of us wants to have the sad experience of poor Oscar Wilde whose famous words were: “This wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. Either it goes or I do.”