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THE UNSUNG HERO OF HOME COMFORT
A well-crafted sofa serves as the centrepiece of any living room . Investing in a luxury sofa with a timeless design can also have financial benefits . As budget sofas may need to be replaced more frequently due to changing design trends or wear and tear , the cost of constantly buying new furniture can add up over time . Martin Waller , founder of global design house Andrew Martin , says : “ The sofa is the unsung hero of our home and it ’ s important to get it right . It ’ s where we hide behind for Dr Who , share the Pinot Grigio with our loved one , celebrate England ’ s triumphs and penalty traumas , shout at our politicians , cry at Britain ’ s Got Talent and laugh with our kids .”
ARTWORKS WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH
Over the last 15 years , the average increase in value for art collections curated by Thorp has been 27 %. Drawing upon this expertise , Philippa Thorp , Founder of London-based design studio Thorp , offers her advice for curating a meaningful art collection that ’ s worth the investment .
Miami Surf Club project , www . thorp . co . uk
Yellowstone project , www . thorp . co . uk
“ I believe that art adds significant value to a home , just as much as the clever planning of a building or the innovative use of light . A well-curated space , where art is seamlessly integrated with design , elevates both the aesthetic and financial value of a property . In essence , good art , good design , and good architecture all contribute to creating environments that are not only beautiful but also profoundly enriching ,” notes Thorp .
“ When it comes to balancing aesthetic appeal with investment potential in art , my philosophy is quite straightforward : you should only invest in art that you genuinely love and can afford . Whilst art can indeed be a valuable investment , I don ’ t believe in purchasing it solely for that purpose . The emotional connection and personal enjoyment of a piece should always come first ,” says Thorp .
HANDCRAFTED PIECES TAKE PRIORITY
According to a new report , the global luxury furniture market was valued at around US $ 25 billion last year , with a predicted annual growth rate of 3.8 % over the next five years , reaching a value of US $ 31 billion by 2024 . As people are spending more money
S-CONTRACT , Creative Direction and Styling @ theeastldnstylist , Photography @ aaronwahab , Edit @ kubaphotographic
on higher-quality pieces , and look set to continue to do so , the emphasis on aesthetics is reflected in the demand for furniture with exceptional craftsmanship .
Alexander Shepel , Founder of SHEPEL ’, the multi-brand design studio and custom furniture manufacture , discusses : “ In 2025 , we will see the trend for handcrafted pieces continue to grow . At SHEPEL ’, each piece is expertly handmade using only the finest materials . We advocate the “ buy once , buy well ” philosophy . While our furniture pieces are an investment , we can assure you that each piece will stand the test of time and last a lifetime in your home . We strive to avoid responding to fast-paced trends and instead design timeless pieces that can be passed down from generation to generation .”
ONE-OF-A-KIND ACCESSORIES
While quality upholstery and finely crafted case goods set the stage in a home , one-of-a-kind accessories create the soul . Whether it be a piece of original art , an ethnic artefact or a finely crafted lamp , there is a depth and richness in collections of beautiful things .
“ With sustainability being so important , customers are looking