FAQs

Antiques and Interior Design

Q. My husband and I recently purchased a home in Newport Coast and we love antiques, but our interior designer says antiques do not fit into our budget. What should we do?

A. This questioner needs to readjust her thinking cap. It is no mystery that many affluent new home buyers invest their life savings in a multi-million dollar home, spend six figures on landscaping, and then furnish the area where they will spend most of their time with inferior Asian imports. This is not the cause or the fault of the interior design industry. Most interior designers love working with antiques. As professionals, they know their clients will be happier in the long run investing in quality interior furnishings. Unfortunately, the interior designer has little control over the homebuyer who finances to the max, leaving little in reserve to do the interior justice.

If your budget is maxed out, a good solution is to concentrate on buying one good piece at a time. Don’t try to fill the whole house at once. But, when you do see that perfect piece, BUY IT. Antiques are one of kind pieces, and you will never see another like the one you had your heart set on.

Q. Can Steven-Thomas do our interior design work?

A. Yes, but with a few limitations. 

Steven-Thomas, per se, does not provide a full design service. What we do provide is a complementary in home consultation by one of our designers, whereby we will help you place our antique furniture and accessories. Our professionally trained design staff can make the house call that will place the right furniture in your home, save you money on accessory purchases and provide you with a valuable opinion on the design of your home. Should you require carpet, drapery, wallpaper, fabrics and possibly plumbing fixtures that STA doesn’t carry, our designers are available on their own time, and completely apart from Steven-Thomas at a very reasonable hourly fee. Please contact our design department for information.