| Want your living room to look like a photo out of | | | | - I prefer an all natural, custom, hand-rubbed oil finish. |
| Architectural Digest or Metropolitan Home? You have | | | | Would there be an up-charge for that? |
| the design savvy to pull it off but you're worried | | | | Don't hesitate to ask about any number of |
| about the price? Here's a little-known designer secret | | | | customizations involving, dimensions, shapes, wood |
| to put you one step closer to your dream home - | | | | and fabric types, joinery characteristics, edging |
| You can design and commission unique, handmade, | | | | options, leg styles and more. |
| custom furniture at a fraction of the prices you've | | | | The key is to leverage the value of the company's |
| seen in upscale galleries and studios. | | | | existing designs by requesting modifications, rather |
| How? Seek out small furniture makers in your | | | | than asking the furniture-maker to start from |
| neighborhood or on the web and start a conversation | | | | scratch, on a new design. Since most small, |
| with them. Ask for a catalog or photos of their work | | | | neighborhood furniture makers make each piece to |
| and learn what kinds of styles and media they | | | | order, rather than building mass quantities of the |
| specialize in. When you find a company or craftsman | | | | same thing, they are usually happy to customize their |
| that routinely makes the type of furniture you're | | | | designs, often at no additional charge. |
| seeking, start looking for ways to customize existing | | | | If you can't find local furniture makers, try searching |
| designs to meet your needs and preferences. Ask | | | | the web for built to order furniture. Many small |
| the furniture maker, for example: | | | | companies offer online tools that let you customize |
| - Can we take that 55 inch wide, low, two-door | | | | their handmade furniture to create your own unique |
| entertainment center and add a third door to make a | | | | custom furniture at little or no extra cost. You'll be |
| 70 inch wide media center to fit perfectly in my | | | | surprised, once you look into it, how affordable |
| space? Or, | | | | luxury custom furniture can be. |
| - What would it cost to customize that dining table | | | | So get creative! And get started on that dining room |
| by making the top cherry and the base, espresso? | | | | or bedroom makeover you've been putting off for |
| Or, | | | | fear of high prices and cost overruns. You'll be |
| - Can you make me an XL twin bed that measures | | | | delighted with the result and the added bonus of |
| 82 inches in length instead of the regular 76? Or, | | | | superior quality that is characteristic of built to order |
| - Would it be possible to customize that chest of | | | | furniture. Just be sure your designs are timeless, |
| drawers by making the width three inches shorter, | | | | because your new handmade furniture will be built to |
| so it will fit in the small space between the two | | | | last a lifetime. |
| windows in my bedroom? Or, | | | | |