The Shop Cop - Jennifer Litwin

WHAT KIND OF STATEMENT ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE WITH YOUR NEW HOME?  DOES YOUR HOME TRULY REFLECT YOUR OWN TASTE, OR SOMEONE ELSE’S?

Through all uncertainties of the real estate market and the economy you might say that home decor has changed for most homeowners.  Stodgy, impractical and stuffy furniture of the 70′s and 80′s, the look of our parents’ generation, has given way to more functional, comfortable and affordable fashions.   Picking up the basics at places like Costco and fashionable, urban, flea markets, have become the norm.

MY FAVORITE FREE RESOURCES  TO HELP  GET IDEAS ABOUT FURNISHING YOUR HOUSE EXACTLY TO YOUR LIKING

MAGAZINES

1. Dwell ( ideas for a more efficient house, soup to nuts)



2. Reader’s Digest (decluttering ideas–fresh and new ideas that will make your life a lot easier)
3. Oprah Home (multiple choices displayed for every piece of furniture you will need)
4. Martha Stewart Home (smart, fashionable choices for each room in your house)

WEBSITES/BLOGS

1. Homeportfolio.com (lists thousands of choices of products and design ideas, and links to the sites where you can buy them–saves huge amount of time)
2. Lesliehindman.com (great Chicago-based auction house that offers monthly auction in a wide variety of styles, periods and prices–take advantage of the great auction prices right now)
3. Designspongeonline.com (perfect place to get ideas that are well thought out and executed-no need to hire a designer if you go to this site–artistic, creative, easy to use and fun!)
4. Decor8blog.com (special finds and secrets from around the world, for all the little details of your house, with links to the nation’s best stores, all in one site)
5. Freshome.com (displays latest design and function characteristics for every piece of furniture you buy)
6. Trendir.com (the latest in materials, colors, textiles, trim)
7. Homedesignfind.com (beautiful layouts of entire room designs–great place for room design ideas)

EXPENSES YOU MAY HAVE TO BUDGET FOR THAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE ANTICIPATED

Driving down your block do you say to yourself, “I can buy two of my houses now that I could only buy one of before”, having seen the real estate market tank to its lowest level in decades?  You may be missing the entire picture.  True, you may have initially bought your first home as an investment, but now the complications in the market, due to lack of financing options, rising interest rates and an unstable job market have made buying two houses virtually impossible for the average American.

RISING COSTS OF HOME OWNERSHIP

• Property Taxes on the Rise: Counties are hurting, financially, so they are eager to raise property taxes.  Here’s the catch-22: if you want to refinance to get a better rate you will have to have an appraisal.  But if you then try to appeal your property taxes you will probably be forced to show proof of any home appraisal performed within the past three years.
• Utilities More Expensive and Continually Going Up: It is becoming more expensive to use regular water, electricity, cable and gas.   Most of these bills won’t come down unless you drastically change your lifestyle.
• Closing Costs Have Gone Up: In general, closing costs are going up, so refinancing will have an added cost, maybe not anticipated.
• More Difficult to Get a 2nd Mortgage Now: Banks are less willing to take on risks now, even with their best customers.  If you can’t squeeze into one mortgage, skip the next purchase.
• Furnishing a House is No Small Task: The cost of manufacturing furniture has risen in the past few years, and shipping prices have gone up.  Though there are more quality resources available to the public, prices of interior home construction and furnishings is on the rise.  The most expensive part of home ownership right now is inside the home.  The repairs, and if you have an old house, the modernizing that needs to get done every few years.

ARE YOU ONLY GETTING SECOND BEST, AT BEST?  IF NOT THOUGHT OUT PROPERLY, YOUR NEW HOME CAN BECOME A DISAPPOINTMENT WHEN THE REPAIR BILLS APPEAR

Retailers bank on the fact that people are too busy these days to shop for their homes just one piece at a time, and just want their houses done.  Period.  Well, if you fall into the rut getting everything at once, you will regret your purchases.  Each piece you buy should represent a purchase you made because of your everyday living needs .  If not thought out carefully you will risk overpaying and creating a generic-looking space that really doesn’t reflect who you are, your taste or current daily lifestyle.

RUSHING TO CREATE THE PERFECT HOME CAN BE A DISAPPOINTMENT

We’ve all felt the pressure to have the perfect house, whether it be for an upcoming party, the holidays or to simply blend in with the neighbors.

CONSIDER SHOPPING AT AN AUCTION RIGHT NOW

After buying my first home, I realized how empty it looked.  I went to auctions at the time, and felt the urge to bid on dozens of inexpensive items, hoping to be the “lucky” winner of all of them.  I overbid on things I never even loved—the prices seemed too low to overlook, and I had a house to furnish.    I wound up with over twenty pieces of junk for my home, and after putting everything inside, I realized I didn’t like half of the pieces, and would have no real use for them.  Several of the pieces later required a considerable amount of work; something I never considered budgeting for.

START OUT SMALL, HAVE PATIENCE, AND WAIT TO BUY YOUR FAVORITE PIECES, BUT DON’T SETTLE JUST TO GET YOUR HOME FULLY FURNISHED

FLEA MARKETS: My best advice for someone with refined taste, who wants an elegant, interesting home is to start out small.  For that reason, flea markets are the best way to get your feet wet.  In Chicago, I love the Randolph Street Market, a flea market that has an urban flair mixed with country charm.  Dealers rent stalls, and I’ve picked up pieces from $5-$2,000 at flea markets.  The trick is buying only what you love, one piece at a time, mixing new with old, and only buying pieces you have a use for.  Learning these skills takes time and a trained eye.

AUCTION: Auction is another great way to furnish a great big house, or even a city apartment.  I especially love shopping at local auctions for artwork, and especially love that I don’t have to pay for shipping.  Thanks to my big car.  My favorite auction houses for the great values are: Leslie Hindman Auctioneers in Chicago, Neal Auction in New Orleans, and occasionally Sotheby’s more reasonably priced auctions.  You can’t go wrong.  Especially if you put in a silent bid and agree only to a maximum price you would be willing to pay.  Becoming emotional about a piece will not serve you well.  Avoid auctions or brokerage firms that charge an astronomical amount to sellers or buyers, like 1stdibs.  These places are not the best about warrantying the products they are selling.

BECOME YOUR OWN INTERIOR DESIGNER

The fastest way to date your house is to make everything look perfectly coordinated.  The perfectly coordinated look is outdated and always has been.  Your home will express more about you and your personality when you acquire one piece at a time.  Designers will also want to save themselves time, and earn the most amount of money possible by trying to create an entire ”look” for you and your family.  I’ve especially seen this when they are working with big families and know that people don’t have a lot of time to deal with all the details.

Take your time, and you, too, will have the house you love for a lifetime.

By Liz Arnold, RealSimple.com

(RealSimple.com) — Invest in these designs now, and the pros say they’ll be coveted collectibles one day.

1. Louis Ghost Chair by Philippe Starck

Great indoors or outdoors, this chair is a refreshing twist on the 250-year-old Louis XVI version, a court of Versailles staple that had a huge impact on furniture design.

To buy: $400, exitartcatalog.stores.yahoo.net.

The backstory: French designer Starck, the man behind boutique hotels like the Delano, in Miami Beach, joined forces with Italian furniture manufacturer Kartell in 2002 to create this beauty, which is made by injecting molten plastic into a mold (so it has no seams). It resides in the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s permanent collection.

What design pros say: “Starck’s a design genius,” says Jeffrey Beers, founder and CEO of Jeffrey Beers International, and architecture and design firm in New York City. “This chair will certainly appreciate tenfold in 25 to 30 years.”

Real Simple: Decorating with door accessories

2. Garland Shade Light by Tord Boontje

This shimmery fixture features a doilylike shade in brass or silver, which clips to the base of a bulb. You can combine shades to create larger designs.

To buy: $95, momastore.org.

The backstory: In 2001 botany met bare bulbs when Dutch designer Boontje devised a pattern of leaves and flowers on a sheet of metal that could be cut with a laser. His light has been exhibited in the Victoria and Albert Museum, in London, and is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, in New York City.

What design pros say: “I can see why I’d still be excited about this piece in 30 years,” says Anthony Di Bitonto, director of industrial design at Smart Design in New York City. “Some things are too heavily styled, and they can look dated. But this is pure and simple.”

Real Simple: Marbleized home accents

3. Balcons du Guadalquivir China by Hermès

Strikingly chic — but also dishwasher- and microwave-safe — this set features a red pigment meticulously applied by hand in several layers to achieve dimension.

To buy: $357 for a five-piece place setting, parkavegifts.com.

The backstory: Known for its leather goods, the French luxury purveyor Hermès branched into tableware in 1984 and in 2005 introduced Balcons du Guadalquivir, named for the iron balconies overlooking the Guadalquivir River, in the Andalusia region of Spain.

What design pros say: “Everything Hermès stands for is about quality and timelessness,” says Ralph Pucci, owner of Pucci International showrooms.

4. Tight Back Sofa by Baker

With a sturdy maple hardwood frame, this sofa will last for generations. Reminiscent of midcentury modern Danish and Scandinavian designs, it mixes a traditional camelback style with contemporary, clean lines to create a timeless look.

To buy: $5,516, Sofa No. 6386-80, bakerfurniture.com for stores.

The backstory: Baker has been turning out classic furnishings since the company was founded, in 1890. This sofa, introduced in 1995, hails from the debut collection of San Francisco designer Michael Vanderbyl for Baker.

What design pros say: “Baker furniture holds value in the same way antiques do — and antiques never go out of style,” says Jennifer Litwin, a home-furnishings expert in Chicago.

Real Simple: Simple updates for old furniture

5. Rug by Madeline Weinrib

This handwoven cotton rug is reversible and features an interpretation of an endless knot, a Buddhist symbol that represents unity or eternity. In textiles, the motif is typically seen as part of a larger pattern, but this version celebrates it on its own.

To buy: $1,050 (8 by 10 feet), madelineweinrib.com for locations.

The backstory: Designer Weinrib, whose great-grandfather founded ABC Carpet & Home, created the Megan rug in 2005. She also designs home accessories.

What design pros say: “It’s the perfect blend of minimalist design and maximal color,” says Celerie Kemble, an interior designer in New York City. “When that’s done right, it can become iconic.”

Real Simple: Insiders’ guide to home décor websites

6. Throw Pillows by Jonathan Adler

Bursting with texture and graphic oomph, these handmade Bargello pillows from designer Adler get their name from a type of needlework that produces a zigzagging pattern of long stitches.

To buy: $110 (Diamonds) to $145 (Flame), jonathanadler.com.

The backstory: Although needlework had a resurgence in the 1970s, and then again around 2000, Adler modernized the medium in 2005 by infusing his throw pillows with what he calls “Palm Beach style”: punchy colors and geometric designs.

What design pros say: “Adler is so well-known that having one of his pillows has its own cachet,” says Lisa S. Roberts, an antiques connoisseur in Philadelphia. “In 25 years, they’ll be collectible, because they’re from his original line.”

7. Silver-Coated Seashells by Ruzzetti & Gow

These seashells are gathered in the Philippines and sent to Rome, where Ruzzetti artisans coat them — wholly or partially — with sterling silver.

To buy: $40 to $2,500 each (most are in the $200 range), ruzzettiandgow.com for stores.

The backstory: Designer Christopher Gow first saw these shells in 1993 — they were being produced in the Italian silver factory of his friend Giampiero Ruzzetti. “I would bring them back to the United States as wedding gifts,” says Gow, “and people went crazy for them.” The duo began exporting them in 1996.

What design pros say: “Who knows what silver is going to be worth in 50 years?” says Chip Cordelli, a furniture dealer and prop and interior stylist in Brooklyn. “I think it will be something really special.”

Real Simple: Eclectic home décor ideas

8. T-table by Patricia Urquiola

Made of shatterproof injection-molded plastic, this table features a 20-inch-diameter top with a delicate cutout design. It’s available in three heights.

To buy: $263, unicahome.com.

The backstory: Spanish designer Urquiola had a hit with this table at the 2005 Milan International Furniture Fair, and in 2006 it went into mass production.

What design pros say: “In 30 years, the table will look just as fresh,” says Di Bitonto. “It’s simple and modern.”

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BASED ON MY BOOK, “FURNITURE HOT SPOTS: THE BEST FURNITURE STORES AND WEBSITES COAST TO COAST”

I recently connected with an old friend/neighbor who had relocated to Atlanta.  She saw my book somewhere and immediately recognized my name on the cover.  She happened to be at a furniture store; one of the furniture stores I reviewed on my cross-country mission to uncover the best and worst furniture stores across the United States.

“FURNITURE HOT SPOTS” WRITTEN TO IDENTIFY THE HONEST FROM THE DISHONEST STORES AND AWARD STORES WITH EXCELLENT SERVICE, VALUE AND INTEGRITY

Until 2002, the US government had guidelines for selling furniture, and for describing the furniture that stores sold.  After that point, the government lifted all restrictions on furniture stores across the country.  Stores could call furniture anything they wanted to, and it would be allowable.  Until Furniture Hot Spots was published there was no other book reviewing furniture stores across the country, using a system of rating the stores; in my case, the Chair of Distinction.

“CHAIR OF DISTINCTION”

If you see an orange sticker on the windows of furniture stores, with a little picture of a chair, that is the “Chair of Distinction”.  The Chair is awarded to stores that I feel go above and beyond, in terms of quality, service and professionalism.  Chain department stores and big box retailers, you would think, would have consistency and meet all the requirements of a store with a “Chair”.  That logic doesn’t necessarily follow.

Studies have shown that in harder economic times small local retailers provide the most customer satisfaction.  Large independent stores also offer added value; take Furnitureland South, for example, the largest furniture store in the world, located in Hickory, North Carolina.  Shopping undercover at Furnitureland South was harder than hiking the glaciers—1 million square feet of shopping space.  You’d think you would get lost and feel helpless.  However, that wasn’t the case.  As I pointed out on my recent radio show, with Jason Harris, President of Furnitureland South, the store makes it a point of having weekly classes for all salespeople, to teach them the latest innovations in furniture design and construction.  Shopping undercover at Furnitureland South I was impressed with the professionalism of the staff, and indepth knowledge of the vast selection of furniture.

HOW THE WEB HAS HELPED SHOPPERS COMPARE NOTES

While I am not a big fan of shopping for everything online, I do believe that shopping online for furniture will help you determine what you might pay for a particular piece.  “Furniture Hot Spots” shares my picks for the best websites designed for real furniture shoppers.  What concerns me today is the rise in online auctions, or broker businesses that can charge the consignor up to 50% for selling the goods.  Local sites are more cost effective, like Craigs List, where you pay a small percentage, and shipping is usually local.  1stdibs.com offers selection from high end antiques dealers from all around the world, but these dealers charge a lot for their goods because of their high commission structure with 1stdibs.com.

SHOPPING AT AUCTION IS STILL THE FAIREST SYSTEM FOR BUYERS

Yes, buyers (and sellers) pay a commission for buying, but the item sells only for the price people are willing to pay.  One of my favorite auctions is the Market Place Auction at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers in Chicago.  At this auction, which takes place several times a year, you can bid on anything from $50 up.  If the weather is bad or if there is low turnout for other reasons, you can be the successful bidder who gets a steal.  That is a fair system.

THE FAIR AND HONEST RETAILER

I am more impressed with how well retailers stand by their products and work with consumers on price and service.  In this economy, service matters most, and the stores that go the extra mile will surpass the high-end antiques shops with bad service and little integrity.   During the past two years, I have been extremely impressed with many of the big box stores, like Target and Wal-Mart, who have really stepped up to the plate in terms of competitive pricing, free shipping offers, and value that is so necessary to all families at this precarious time in history.

When kids head back to school, a home’s carpeting can serve as a memory of summer fun. And, tough summer stains can be really tough to remove. “Shop Cop” and home furnishings expert Jennifer Litwin offers these tips:

• What kind of carpeting is the most difficult to clean? Olefin is an oil-based product which picks up stains quickly. North Shore Carpet Cleaning in Arlington Heights, Illinois (847-724-3638) recommends avoiding this type.
• If you get a stain, what should you do until the carpet cleaning service arrives? Pick up the excess, then blot with a damp, light-colored towel. Try using a 1/2 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with a damp towel to blot and remove the detergent.
• How many times per year should you clean your carpeting professionally? Not usually more than every 12-18 months, unless you get a bad stain.
• Can cleaning your carpeting “too often” ruin the carpeting? Cleaning a carpet more than twice a year can stretch out the fabric. However, stains must be removed quickly or the dirt will go to the bottom of the carpeting and be harder to remove later.
• Which are the hardest stains to remove? Anything with dyes, like popsicles, coffee and wine. Continue reading »

As featured in Quick & Simple

No longer just “Dad’s” chair, recliners continue to sell in staggering numbers in the U.S. Still the #1 selling furniture item, contemporary recliners now have more style choices and functions than ever before, making shopping more complicated. “Shop Cop” and author of Best Furniture Buying Tips Ever!, Jennifer Litwin helps evaluate today’s recliners.

CONSTRUCTION: KEEP IT SIMPLE

Today’s chairs have many bells & whistles. The more moving parts, the more likely the chair is to break. Typically, better constructed pieces have fewer mechanisms and no fabric break in the middle section. Exposed metal legs should be avoided, and the open/close mechanism should be easy to operate.

CONSIDER THE SITTER WHEN CHOOSING FABRIC

Keep in mind who will be using the chair most often. Since these chairs are often for lounging adults, look for sturdy fabrics that hide stains and are better on wear and tear. Wools, sturdier leathers and tightly-woven materials will generally last longer than the finer grades of leather or synthetics, like micro fiber.

Continue reading »

Shopping online for furniture has become a huge business. Over $1 billion has been spent on online furnishings in the past 12 months. But consumer feedback has been mixed. Here are some things you should know before shopping online:

1. Many stores don’t allow you to return the item to the store, itself, because they may not sell the product at the store. You have to send returns to a return center. Many of the big box retailers require that you send your purchases back to this return center. This makes it difficult to exchange an item or get your money back.
2. Some furniture web sites send furniture in hundreds of pieces. Ask how many pieces will come in the box. Also ask if you can see a diagram describing how to assemble the piece. Online furniture can be very inexpensive if you have to basically construct the whole piece, yourself.
3. Comparison shopping online is difficult, because like with mattress companies, different stores use the same vendors but call the pieces different names. Continue reading »

As featured in The Cincinatti Enquirer
As we enter the summer months and think about entertaining outside we are faced with furniture and fabrics that look dirty, rusty and faded. Spending money on outdoor furniture and fabric is not always a priority because we know that natural fading, discoloring and breakage will occur as the furniture sits outside.

“Shop Cop” and consumer reporter, Jennifer Litwin, has some tips for your outdoor furniture:

1. Chairs with sling fabric: Sling fabric, like all outdoor fabric, becomes faded, torn and dirty over time. Every few years we think about replacing the entire chair or having it reupholstered. Since chair styles don’t change that often it doesn’t pay to throw out the old chair that you love and replace it with a new chair. You can replace the sling yourself for $60-75 per chair. A new sling chair usually costs more than $150, including the fabric. You can select your own fabric from hundreds of swatches, order a sample to be sent to your home for free, give a company measurements and they can make the replacement piece for you, and send you the simple hardware for you to put the sling on, yourself, in just minutes. I would explain how to take measurements and apply the fabric, yourself. Here is an example: very standard outdoor seat.
2. Chairs with straps: We all remember the chairs we had 30 years ago, with the straps. Surprisingly, the styles haven’t changed much in lawn furniture. So instead of throwing out the old chairs and replacing them today for hundreds of dollars (usually at least $200 apiece), you can buy your own straps for $2-5 each, and put new straps back on your existing frame. I recently put straps on, gave my deck a new, brighter, colorful look in just minutes (I can demonstrate), with the right set of basic tools, and the right measurement of the strap. For under $100 I had new chairs, and put it together quickly. Very easy and attractive. Again, I would explain how to take measurements and apply the straps, yourself. Also give info on where to get the parts.
3. Taking care of your outdoor fabric: Avoid using bleach on your fabrics. Avoid dipping them into the pool-will cause fabrics to fade and dry out. Use simple products like Fantastic, 408, or even mild dish soap. Continue reading »