20.05.12

You've come of age, decor-wise. No more hand-me-down sofa, bookshelf made of packing crates, or table that wobbles because you couldn't assemble it properly.

But once you're ready to invest in quality furniture, it's important to know where to save and where to splurge, say the experts.

It's likely you're already ahead of the game in one sense, according to Eric Corbeil, co-owner of Maison Corbeil stores in Montreal and Laval. He has been in the upscale furniture business for decades.

"I've noticed that, increasingly, my customers are very aware about design," he said. "They love style and are very knowledgeable about it."

He advises neophytes to adopt the "high-low" principle. It originated in fashion, where trendsetters such as Kate Middleton make an art of mixing Holt Renfrew-worthy designer duds with low-end-of-the-rack H&M-ish finds. The basic idea is that a well-chosen mix of upscale and more mundane pieces will create an effect of overall chic.

Source: Montreal Gazette