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Assetz Marq – One stop destination for all your home needs

Assetz Property Group was founded in 2006 and the young-gun continues to find itself in the top of the lists of developers in India. Headquartered in Singapore, Assetz has dabbled in spheres related to the commercial, residential, warehousing and fund management sectors. At this moment, Assetz is behind over 10 million square feet of development land. Assetz takes pride in their designs and they put in a lot of research behind each of its projects. Assetz properties’ master plans, architecture, choice of location, development strategy and design stand testimony to their work ethics and their abilities. With an upward growth trajectory, Assetz is not just a young player, but also the face of the future.

Assetz Marq- Location

Whitefield’s rapid development, especially in the central region, hasn’t done residential development too many favors. With the main areas of Whitefield out of bounds and saturated, all the focus shifted to an area just off Whitefield called Sai Baba Ashram Road. With excellent connectivity, proximity to industries and distance enough from the busy Whitefield streets, this area is not only developing rapidly but is also witnessing new residential projects springing up. For a project that’s large enough for an all-inclusive luxury development requires space while one that demands peace and comfort of living requires distance enough from the noise of traffic. Sai Baba Ashram offers all of these things, even while fulfilling needs of connectivity making it perfect for a development such as Assetz Marq.

Assetz Marq- Interiors, Design, Structure

A project that’s 28 acres large has to have a thought-out plan in place, and Assetz stepped up to that need with Marq.

Each home in Marq is well ventilated, vaastu compliant and large. 3BHK apartments are only on the corners of each floor and each floor houses only 4 families. Tower sizes across the project are different so as to keep up with views and space for each.

The project is divided into 4 neighborhoods (phases) each 20,000 sq feet large. Each neighborhood has its own clubhouse with all the required amenities and more. 70% of the entire project area is open space while 30% is residential and commercial space combined.

Marq being the only mixed development of its kind in Whitefield, offers a commercial complex, complete with shopping centre, food court, school, IT offices and more.

Assetz doesn’t forget the importance of being environmentally conscious and Marq has every provision for a green space including rain water harvesting systems, a rooftop pool, a sewage treatment plant and organic waste converter. There is also an electric vehicle charging points in basements as well as a large central linear park around the perimeter of the project filled with dense tree growth ensure abundant green space.

Assetz Marq comes with Italian quality and sturdiness. Doors, tiles and most fittings have been imported from Italy. Construction type has also been of great importance to Assetz and they’ve chosen to go with Mivan technology instead of conventional techniques.

Know more: Unique Features of Assetz Marq

Assetz Marq- Sustainable, Self-Sufficient, Quality Living

A development that is self-sufficient and consists of a commercial complex as large as Marq requires a lot of thought and research into the perfect design and structure of the development. At Assetz Marq the builders is using services of an Australian expert Mr Ross Bonthorne for the same. While reasons might vary, many things about the property make it hard not to make buyers want to invest in it. Here we list a few –

The first reason is its luxurious features. Marq has a central landscaped courtyard with leisure and recreational facilities. A double height lift lobby enveloped in lush green landscapes is provided to the residents as well as double-height weather protected reading corners and shared areas.

The second reason is space. Marq is designed in a way that ensures large balconies, airy bedrooms and spacious living areas. Each floor has 4 homes only, so as to ensure privacy and better views. Provisions to interchange the living and dining areas are in place and lobbies in bedrooms provide privacy from the living and dining area. Foyer at the entrance of each home offers further space and privacy.

The third reason is modern design. Assetz provides for an open modular kitchen in each home along with requirements for utilities and appliances. Balconies attached to every living room offer room for modern interiors and a stellar view. In larger units, master bedrooms have an additional sit out. Designer false ceiling, glazed external walls and designer tiles further add to the modern look of each home.

The fourth reason is the attention to safety features. Apart from technology that helps one ensure their child’s safety at all times, each high rise tower in Marq has two fire staircases, smoke detectors and fire fighting systems as well as a Helipad for emergency evacuations. Each low rise tower meanwhile is to have one fire staircase and fire fighting system. In order to avoid children from straying too far away, the ground level has open spaces for children to play right under their buildings. A 2.5 km jogging track skirting around the entire development through all the neighbourhood, keeps away from driveways. The driveways don’t cross residential spaces or the retail centre.

The fifth reason is comfort of living. This includes provisions for tutorials within the complex as well as provisions for easy bill payments, food ordering, table reservations, and contacting the security are all made from within the comfort of residents’ homes.

The sixth reason is amenities. Amenities add value to a home and Marq includes a centralised sports arena, space for walking, a jogging track, linear park can also doubles up as a picnic spot. Each clubhouse has a fully equipped gymnasium, indoor sports provisions, rooftop swimming pool with separate kids pool, community hall and more.

Check out Model Apartment here

Construction work at Marq commenced in January 2015 and phase I is expected to be complete and ready for possession by October 2017. The entire township is expected to be complete by the year 2022.

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Small Spaces to Smart Spaces

by The Assetz Team

Small. Cramped. Cluttered. These are synonyms of urban living. In this concrete jungle, turning small spaces into cosy homes can be a challenge. But with a bit of creativity and resourcefulness, you can make sure that you’re getting the best out of your new home.

Here are a few tips to transform those claustrophobic spaces into roomy and welcoming homes.

1) Lighten up

It’s a well-known fact that dark colours are slimming but try to avoid further slimming down by choosing lighter colours like white, cream, pale greys or blues to give a light and spacious feel to the room.

2) Mirror, mirror on the wall

mirrors are also the best way to reflect light and in turn make the room feel larger. Place them strategically behind an end table and make people believe that there is a whole other world tucked behind.

3) Declutter

The most important and beneficial tip if you live in a small space. Get rid of everything you haven’t used in a year because the chances are you would not need them at all. This will free up more space for things you need/use.

4) Transformers

The movie may have been great, but furniture that transforms is even better. Nowadays you have plenty of options that include multipurpose furniture to choose from. For example, an ottoman which can be used as a seater as well as storage unit. Or maybe furniture that can be wheeled away, folded or stacked when not in use, to give you that extra space.

5) Hide Out

Make good use of hidden storage spaces. Spaces under the bed, inside the ottoman, lofts, behind the mirrors, or wherever you can think of! This will give you added storage space and keep the clutter out of sight.

6) Angle it right

Avoid the mistake of pushing up your furniture up against the wall. This will give the room a cramped look. Leaving a few inches can make the space look more open. Giving your furniture some breathing space by placing your bed at an angle or floating the living room sofa which will give an appearance of more space.

 
7) Show off those legs

Avoid hiding the sofa’s or bed’s legs when you work with smaller spaces. Choose furniture that is raised as it creates a sense of light and space.

8) Let there be light

To create a sense of depth, avoid the dark and heavy drapes. Leave your windows uncovered. Along with bringing in fresh air, this trick also adds a sense of depth to your place. You can always try sheer white drapes to give your place privacy and also a bit of sophistication.

9) Play matchmaker

Matching your flooring colours to the walls and furniture will widen your impressions of space. Most importantly, choosing lighter colours will give an airier feel.

10) Art of Illusion

Lastly, creating the illusion of making your small space appear big, is an art. For example, to create the illusion of high ceilings, paint your ceiling with a bright colour that will pop, so that it will drive the eye upward. Or to make your room appear longer than it is, consider a stripped floor.

To wrap up, when dealing with small spaces, always remember to get rid of unwanted items and edit your patterns and possessions. Use hidden spaces and always find ways to brighten up your home. At the end of it, half the battle can be won just by thinking outside the box.

 

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Compact House: The New Way of Living

by The Assetz Team

The Indian economy is on a growth trajectory, and is expected to maintain the momentum for the next five years. One of the growth drivers of the economy is the young population; they are contributing significantly to the GDP by spurring demand in the core sectors. By the year 2020, it is estimated that 64 percent of our population will be in the working age group, making us the world’s youngest nation. These demographic dynamics have led to the emergence of ‘Generation Y Now’, which is directly impacting the housing sector.

The Gen Y includes working professionals between the age group of 25-34 years and the profile includes urban dwellers and married couples without kids. They are tech-savvy, hail from different cultural backgrounds, and are high-earning urban occupants, who may rewrite the established socio-economic norms. They are financially independent from an early stage; their priorities and aspirations are different from those who constitute the bulk of the existing home-buyer segment.

Today, some of the top aspirations of Gen Y include home-ownership. Surplus disposable income, ease of availing home loan and the importance given to personal space, have fuelled their dream of owning a home. That was not the case a few decades back. This generation’s need for a home is quite different from that of the previous generations. Their specifications are simple – a compact abode, which takes care of their requirements; a home that is located at a striking distance of all amenities and facilities, and more importantly, a residential unit that doesn’t go burden their wallets.

With this change in perception towards buying houses, a new segment has emerged in the residential homes category called “Compact Living”, especially in the metros and mini metros. Compact homes perfectly match the requirements, such as privacy and desire to own a home within the budget of the Gen Y. This trend has contributed to the dimensional changes to existing homes, as the demand for studio, 1 BHK and 1.5 BHK homes in metros are soaring.

In metros, single working professionals, especially are opting for either shared accommodation, apartments (2bhk and 3bhk) or paying guest facilities. Married couples tend to rent homes a little far away from their workplaces (because of the high rents in CBD and economic hubs). Investing in a compact house offers dual benefits – Firstly, they save on the rent being paid. Secondly, the new home is an investment instrument because of returns of 11%- 13.5% annually on account of appreciation of capital values of the property. The ROI will be useful when the property owner plans to buy a bigger house (in the latter part of his/her career/life). From an investment perspective too, it is a profitable proposition, as one can gain from the rental income 3.5% -5 % per annum.

Owning a compact house in the age group of 25—34 years is a well-thought out decision. Though it is still in a nascent stage, the demand for compact housing is growing. Currently, the demand is around 16,000 units per annum whereas only 1,200 units are available to address this segment. At present, this segment accounts for 2%-4% of the total residential absorption and is poised for growth.

In the last five to eight years, there has been a substantial increase in urban migration in India as the Gen Y is relocating to different cities in search of better job opportunities and livelihood. Being the hub of India’s IT/ITeS industry and the start-up capital of the country, Bengaluru has emerged as the preferred destination for many working youths. Consequently, Bengaluru tops the list for compact housing. Empirical evidence suggests that 8,350+ units (compact housing) have been launched in Bengaluru since 2009 and close to 80% of them have been sold out.

Within Bengaluru, areas like North Bengaluru, Whitefield, Sarjapura Road and Hosur Road are considered as suitable locations for compact housing projects. Their proximity to the city’s tech and economic hubs make them preferred locations considering the captive customer market. North Bengaluru has emerged as the clear winner, as the area has seen the launch of many Compact Housing projects in the last two years.

It is evident that the compact housing segment will grow bigger in the coming years. With more awareness about the product, its long-term benefits and better resale value, compact housing will emerge as a stronger segment. It has immense business potential and is expected to capture at least 25% of the entire addressable market (16,000 units) by the year 2020.

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Take a Seat

Traditionally, Indians have sat cross-legged on the floor. To eat, to chat or to just lean back against a tree and think. Generations of sitting in this posture has enabled us to be comfortable on almost any chair (and very flexible). We’re not sure this holds good for the generations ahead though. We’re also quite partial to the plethora of seats available today to do anything other than to sit cross-legged, surf the web and choose the right piece.

Down to Earth

Low-seating styles have been around for thousands of years, especially in India and other Asian countries. It’s a bohemian style that’s minimalist, comfortable and very appealing. Our suggestion is to have at least one corner or a room in your home that has this look.

There’s a warmth and camaraderie that comes along with this informal seating arrangement, especially when teamed with urns filled with plants and overstuffed cushions thrown on.

You could go desi, with floor cushions, straw/jute/woven reed cushions or wooden stools. Team these with comfortably low coffee tables and rugs. Following an India theme for furniture doesn’t necessarily mean the rest of your furnishings need to follow that. Team it with what appeals to you and your lifestyle and you will get hints of Morocco and Tokyo.

You can have a pouf or a bean bag thrown in with the others just to change the levels of sitting, so that all of them are not floor-low. Most Asian styles involve low seating, and there’re new designers who offer customisations and upcycling old furniture to low styles.

 

The Must-have Couch

Though we’re all headed to healthy lifestyles and say no to fries and couch potatoes, every home needs that one spot where you can curl up on weekends.

Comfortable, soft and of course, good looking. When choosing sofas, double futons or chaise longues, make sure you know beforehand whether it’s going to be a piece that will be oft-used or not. Because it it’s the former, then hardy (yet appealing) fabrics like handloom cottons, linens or corduroy will work.

Else you could opt for finer silks. Pile it with cushions and top it with a throw for visual appeal and comfort.

 

The My-Spot Chair

It’s that one chair that everyone in the home knows as yours. And if you’re a father, then that chair is given its due respect. It could be a rocking-chair, a wingback chair, a LazyBoy or one that’s been in the family for generations, but it is one that lasts and is associated with the person who chooses it. Wingback chairs first made an appearance in the living rooms of Britain in the 1600s.,/p>

The wings on either side were functional as it protected the person from drafts and retained the heat emanating from the fireplace, as these chairs were customarily placed across a fireplace. Rocking chairs, on the other hand, have an American heritage, and though many cite Benjamin Franklin as the inventor of it, there are sources who say it was used outdoors in North America in the 18th century, which was when Franklin was still a child.

It’s still used in many homes as a porch chair or indoors as a mother’s chair to rock a baby to sleep.

 

Vintage Arrangements

Heritage has always been in style. Be it genuine antique pieces or reproductions in period styles.

Periods range from the medieval-styled Jacobean period (1600-1690) onwards through the graceful Queen Anne (1700-1755) phase, the elaborate Georgian (17-14-1760) time, the famed Chippendale lines (1750-1790) to the Victorian (1840-1910), the simple Arts and Crafts period (1880-1910) and to the more stark Scandinavian period which lasted from 1930 to 1950 and is today what we called ‘retro’.

Apart from these global styles, we also have the Indian ones which are defined from the two broad regions they originate from. The north and the south, both of which involve elaborate carving inspired by nature, temple art, gods and goddesses.

Indian-origin antique pieces move beyond just chairs to doors, thresholds, indoor swings and cradles.

 

L for Living Room

The L-shaped couch has made a comeback. Commonly seen in lounge bars, these comfortable, lavish affairs are perfect for those who have numerous guests dropping by, often. They come in a variety of sizes, and serve as wall huggers or room dividers depending on the size you choose.

L-shaped sofas come under a style called sectional furniture. This style reached its peak during the 20th century. It was an offspring of modernisation and mass production of furniture, where sectionals could be rearranged based on use, and was easy to transport and set up.

In many ways, it was the first hint of contemporary furniture seeping into the home and dates as far back as the 1800s. Today, it is a stylish way to watch widescreen tv with more than one person.
IKEA Style
Minimalist, user-friendly and easy-to-transport furniture was born in the 1940s with Ikea. This Scandinavian brand changed the way living rooms looked and gave it a light, cheerful, easy look that’s inspired many brands that came after it.

A bit of trivia – IKEA is formed out of the initials of its founder, Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd. And now a bit of good news – Ikea will make its foray into India at the end of 2017 in Telangana.

 

Furry Friends

We all love our pets, and the number of accessories for them is proof that this love just grows stronger everyday.
Most pet-stores and online stores sell beds (or should we say, day-beds) for dogs and cats. Our suggestion is to get one made. Upcyle an old cradle or paint an old crate.

 

The Gurukul

All of us at some point use the floor to flop down on. Out of habit or to feel the cool terracotta tiles. Having a traditional straw mat helps if you’re a floor-person. It provides comfort, protection, and when not in use, imparts a certain calm style to your interiors.The Japanese call these tatami mats, and in India they’re known as chatai mats.

Mostly made out of straw or river reed, they’re ideal as floor mats too.Here’s an Assetz tip, not just for chairs, but for all pieces in the home: Let it have a story. It may not be known to the world, but let it be known to the ones who use it.

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Home Love

It’s the month of love, and while shades of red and chocolates abound, is the depth of the emotion truly in your home? The team here at Assetz has put together a few love notes to the home that ensure the vibe around you stays warm and nurturing – not just during the month of February, but right through the year.

Love Note #1 Dear home, I promise to introduce you to people who will add to the joy you see here everyday

Entertaining at home is a great experience, not just for the family, but for yourself – so you realise how well (or how not-so-well) your home can accomodate fun get-togethers. It’s when you open up your home to others that you realise small changes can make a big difference to guests, and how that in turn, leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Good feelings in the home are just as important as good art on its walls. Here’s a list of things that will make an entry into your home once you start entertaining regularly:

  • Fancy guest towels
  • Regular flower arrangements at home
  • A better stocked bar
  • Cheese platters
  • A designated and well-kept guest toilet
  • More comfy chairs around the living room
  • Fancy coasters
  • Fun tableware
  • Great snacks
  • Champagne flutes or/and shot glasses
  • Music playlists ready-to-be-played according to the occasion
  • Fantastic vibes that linger on even after the do
  • New friends

Love Note #2 Dear home, I’m going to take care of every leak and creak you have

It’s easy to ignore a small scratch or a tiny leak because it isn’t really harming anyone. But these small things add up and before you know it, you’re living in a
home filled with small issues. Our tip? Tackle them as you come across them. With the number of home service apps out there, it really doesn’t take much to call a plumber or a carpenter over and fix the issue.
The other way is to have a handy toolkit at home. Most little things can be DIYed away.

Love Note #3 Dear home, I’m going to show you as much of nature as I possibly can

Alfresco living and dining and partying is the way most Sundays and weekends are spent. The lucky ones spend it that way everyday. The not-so-lucky ones can make a few changes around the home to get in the fresh air and greenery that surrounds them. If that too doesn’t exist, potted plants indoors and making sure enough natural light enters is the way to go.

Tips for making sure your interiors see enough of the exteriors:

  • Place mirrors opposite windows. This literally doubles the number of windows you have, and doubles the amount of sunshine in your home. P.S – Make sure the windows are open.
  • Open the windows every morning so there’s a fresh surge of fresh morning air and sunshine washing right through the home. Open the balcony doors (or back doors) too, so there’s cross-ventilation.
  • Indoor plants need sunshine too, small doses of it. Give them a weekly day off by collecting all of them and placing them in sunlight.
  • Urulis (traditional Kerala brass bowls) can be filled with water and your favourite flowers. These ensure a certain freshness to the home and the calming presence of water. It should be changed once in two days.
  • Happy pets

The Worst

Love Note #4 Dear home, I’ll make your bathroom the best place at home, not
We tend to overlook the therapeutic effects of a good bath or shower. Make the most of those moments and enhance it by making a space that is a beautiful experience too.

1. Candlelight is great even by yourself.

2. Choose shower curtains with care.

Scour online stores and local stores till you find one that will go with the rest of the decor. Else ask the friend who goes abroad to get you one. It’s easy to carry back.

3. A small wooden stool is always handy.

It can be used to place extra towels on, or for a little plant. Orchids and other indoor tropical plants fare well in bathrooms due to the high moisture content in the air.

4. You can never have enough soft towels. A heap of freshly laundered towels is more a visual delight than a functional basic.

5.Mirrors. The more the merrier. And to add a touch of character, frame them in different styles.

6. Floor mats. It’s good to have one (or more) inside the bathroom, as well as at the entry.

7. Ventilation. Make sure there’s a window, and it’s used. If not, keep the area extra dry and extra clean.

8. A few drops of your favourite essential oil on a sponge is enough to leave the bathroom smelling like a spa.

Love Note #5 My DIY decor will be more thoughtful than store-bought decor

When you really like something, you’ll go the extra mile to be extra creative and add in a touch of decor that can never be found at a store.

A step-ladder painted, distressed and then used as a bookshelf. Wooden crates given a polish and used as wall-shelves. Or just an old geyser painted wild and propped up in a corner as an art-piece. Reuse, recycle and stay happy. That’s the mantra for this decade.

Love Note #6 I will light you up till you’re beaming

Lighting up a home doesn’t mean a few bulbs with high wattage and a smaller
set of them with low wattage. Find spots where you will actually spend time and create an aura around it with lights. These lights don’t necessarily have to be wall lights. They can be floor lamps, candle lights, table lamps or our favourite, fairy lights.

Fairy lights don’t necessarily need to make an entry during festivals. Celebrate everyday, we say, light it up and add to the charm of your home. Around the bed, around your mirror, piled in a corner, crumpled into a glass bowl, snaking across the floor. Anyway you use it, it adds just the right amount of light, and style.

Love Note #7 I’ll be conscious of the number of fights I have within your walls

Fights, sulks, tantrums and disagreements are part of every home.
But let’s try and minimise them by actually making it part of the decor. For every fight you have, put a pebble into a jar. For every good time you have, put another pebble into another jar.

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2017’s Favourite Design Trends for the Home

Every year sees a fresh, new surge of style, innovation and change – for the self and the home. This year, we’ve matched most of the global home trends with the ones we instinctively thought were right, and we’ve got most of them bang on and featured them here. From colour sensibilities and walls to technology and friends, it’s a list as fresh as the information it offers.

Furniture pairing.

No longer is it deemed essential for furniture in one room (or even one home) to be from the same period. Art deco will sit comfortably with Raj pieces; and modern, functional pieces will blend happily with vintage French.

The result will be a 2017 look that is unique and cannot quite be replicated, because it has been hand-picked and put together by you.It’s also the perfect way to bring in a plethora of serious and fun looks into the home.

Oversized pieces

With houses now being built to accommodate the burgeoning urban growth around, homes are now smaller, smarter, and in a way, warmer. This new size means more practical, classy furniture that are both functional in thought and stylish in look.

Overstuffed leather sofas, large family dining tables, floor lamps that take up more than just a corner, and beds with large and ornate headboards – though each of these pieces are great by themselves, they tend to transform a small space into a smaller, more cramped one. One where it isn’t cosy, but claustrophobic. We suggest you stick to large dogs and large hearts in the new homes of 2017. Unless of course, you’re blessed enough to be living on a farm or in a villa.

Pantone colour for 2017

Every year, Pantone announces a new colour for the year. This shade is arrived at after researching global design, social trends, pop culture and art. This year, the colour chosen is greenery. It almost seems like the perfect fit primarily because all of us are veering towards a more eco way of life, and secondly, because green is available not just on fabrics, but on plants as well.

This means indoor plants are making a comeback. A comeback as strong as the 60s where hanging plants graced balconies, and plants as large as trees filled entryways. Apart from breathing greens, there is the calm of tropical prints that are filled with the same shade and complemented with rich, dark shades of oranges and reds. The result is alive, energy-filled and contemporary in an earthy way.

Declutteratti

More than a trend, this is a belief. One that can be easily experienced when you decide to clean your cupboard, give away a few pieces, and experience a peculiar calm. The same can be done with shelf spaces, balconies and rooms. Don’t get down to tackling everything on the same day. Instead plan it out before you randomly toss out things you think you don’t need.

The idea of decluttering is more to create good energies in the house and simplify your life rather than to give things away to those who need it.

Light and air

As lifestyles turn healthy and architecture turns alfresco, there’s a need for more light and more air circulation within homes. What’s more significant is our need to connect to nature and see greenery and feel the energy of fresh air in the morning. Apart from that, there’s the natural beauty of nature that is merged with the interiors of your home. That’s something which no interior decorator can recreate for you

Monochrome layering

Let’s start with the most basic of layering objects that we first turn to when we begin any home styling project. The pillows. So far, it’s always been earthy tones, prints, pop colours or pastels. Now the style gurus suggest we stick to one shade and layer it with that one shade. So if you’ve got an ivory fabric on your sofa, throw a pillow in ivory raw silk onto it, then add a satin ivory pillow (maybe in another size), and so on till you’ve got a comfortable cloud of one colour.

We’ve tried it and it looks divine. Another way to do it would be a wall that’s green – place a green lamp and a plant and you’ve got another satisfying example of monochromatic layering.

Technology

We’ve all heard of the Internet of Things, smart watches, home apps and smart kitchen appliances. Well, this is the year more smart people are going to be using technology to make their lives easier.

This means being able to defrost meat at home from a an office space miles away, or something as simple as your fridge telling you it’s time to change the settings or a secure way to enter your home via biometric sensors. Either way, it’s an exciting new era, and we suggest you get used to it, but not carried away by it.

Artisan Furniture

Handmade is big in the home, and outside it. From hand-picked destinations for travel, to handmade cheeses at farmers’ markets, artisan is more ‘in’ this year than it was the last. Furniture is veering away from mass-produced, machine-made ones to personal and unique pieces made by passionate individuals who’re especially skilled in their craft.

What this means (simply put) is that you’ll never go to a friend’s home and point to a piece and say ‘Hey, that’s FabIndia?’, instead there’ll be a story woven into each piece. Where the wood was sourced from, whether it was from a sustainable forest, what inspired the artist to create the piece, and how it adds an extra and surprising angle of functionality and ease to your living space. Yes, this means there is a cost to it, but once owned, these pieces will be so treasured that you wouldn’t think twice about buying more.

A tip from us? Buy from within your circle of friends. Find out who went to art school, make a few calls, and get a piece that’ll be even more special because it’s connected to you.

Information sources: House Beautiful, MyDomaine, Forbes, Vogue.

Picture sources: Victoria Smith, Urban Outfitters, Pattern Bank, Aestates Studio, Apartment Therapy, Trend Hunter, Neva Lounge Collection.