Home decorating on the cheap

Tag : Designer Cushion

Seconds, anyone?
Designer classics never go out of style, which is why it doesn'tmatter a jot if they're pre-loved. Since it launched in Melbournelast September, Home Furniture on Consignment (HFOC) has seen itsdesign-classic deals snapped up by discerning buyers. The storespecialises in upmarket, contemporary pieces, says store managerDaragh Casey. "A large percentage of our vendors are peoplerelocating and their furniture doesn't suit."
The store ensures the items are in good condition before it putsthe furniture up for resale - usually at half the price of newretail. "The good stuff sells within a four- to six-week period,"says Casey. "Generally, the more high-end, the quicker it sells."
A Barca table by Cassina was recently sold for $3600, against ausual retail price in the mid-$7000s, she says.
Going once, going twice ...
A cushion is fine, maybe a vase and the occasional large furnitureitem, but some items should never really be bought via the internetunless you've had a look at the real thing - especially notmaterials and finishes whose colour, texture and impact are hard togauge via a thumbnail picture on a website.
If you're on a budget for tiles or timber flooring, control yourprice point by bidding for it in person. Fowles Auction Group holdsauctions on timber, carpets and floor coverings, tiles and buildingmaterials at its Brady Street, South Melbourne, site everyWednesday. Catalogues are published between 4pm and 6pm the daybefore and can be downloaded from its website. Auction times arefixed, so be sure to arrive early to check out the stock.
Online directories
Online directories offer comprehensive listings on discount placesother than the usual big-chain stores. One site,discountshoppingguide.com.au, is systematically set out city bycity, category by category, with succinct descriptions of bargainsfor homewares, furniture, white goods and appliances. It also givesan indication of how current their lines are. A sample: "NextFabrics stocks a wide variety of current curtain and upholsteryfabrics from brands such as Charles Parsons, Warwick, Filigree andWilsons."
Sign on
Junk mail - either electronic or in the letterbox - does have itsuses. Signing on as a VIP or store member often means you get earlynotification and sneak previews of sales well before they are opento the general public. Some stores offer extra discounts on top ofsale prices. And certain websites such as those for SpaceFurniture, Insitu and Corporate Culture also featuregarage/clearance sales of items if you don't want to keep traipsingto the showrooms.
Swan St Auctions and Sales, 365 Swan Street, Richmond, 9428 0677,swanstreet.com.au
HFOC, 308 Swan Street, Richmond, 9428 8333, hfoc.com.au
Fowles Auction Group, 37-39 Brady Street, South Melbourne, 96449000, fowles.com.au
Next Fabrics, 1346 Toorak Road, Camberwell, 9889 2213