Bossy color is in today’s Washington Post, in the District Local Living section! The fabulous Terri Sapienza has written an article called “10 first pieces that will last.” It’s about the best investment furniture for recent graduates.
If you’re hell-bent on avoiding the Ikea abyss, on what piece of furniture should you splurge?
I recommend a bachelor’s chest.
The difference between a bachelor’s chest and a regular dresser is size and scale. The bachelor’s chest is much smaller, and therefore infinitely more versatile. (See the article for what you can do with it – and where I have mine!) And it’s more portable than a regular, chunky chest of drawers.
It’s the ideal piece of furniture in part because it’s small and easy to move. When you’re a recent graduate sharing an apartment in NYC or DC, you won’t have SPACE for a big dresser! Let alone the desire to move it into a 5th-floor walkup.
Other designers had great suggestions, too, like a desk or an “unexpected” piece.
With all due respect to Erin Paige Pitts – who’s room in the D.C. Design House was WONDERFUL, by the way – I think a sofa is the worst possible investment piece at this stage of life. They’re awful to move, and scale is so important – you really need to know what size the room will be. I think that sofas should be as close to disposable as possible when you’re still unsettled. That’s my two cents. Others may disagree.
If this subject is interesting to you, you might also want to read, “The 6 best decorating tips for your rental (if you can’t paint).” What I REALLY recommend if you can’t paint is to move as soon as possible. But I understand that that’s not always practical.
Take a look at today’s Post article and let me know what you think. Anything we missed?
Annie Elliott – aka bossy color – is an interior decorator and design blogger in Washington, D.C. She’s considered an expert on color, residential space planning, and telling people what to do in the nicest way possible. She’s also a proud member of the Color Outlook team: 6 experts from across the country who podcast quarterly about color trends and forecasts.