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This Designer Furnished His Entire Living Room for Less Than $2K

Justice Quinn, an interior designer, successfully furnished his entire living room for under $2,000, a remarkable feat given current economic conditions where even a single decent sofa can exceed $1,500. This achievement occurred after Quinn and his wife moved from a large ranch home to a 1,300-square-foot builder-grade house in Tulsa, Oklahoma. To adhere to their strict budget, they extensively utilized Facebook Marketplace, a platform Quinn has relied on for furniture sourcing for many years. Quinn's success is attributed to his expertise in identifying high-quality vintage pieces. He developed this skill by frequently visiting estate sales and researching the provenance of convincing furniture finds. He explains that he acquired every item in his living room from Facebook Marketplace at exceptionally low prices. For instance, he purchased a leather Maralunga two-seater sofa by Vico Magistretti for less than $500, a piece that would typically retail for over $4,000 on other secondhand e-commerce platforms. The renovation of their new home began with plastering the fireplace to update its appearance. Quinn's friend from Organic Finishes, who was initially tasked with touching up walls, suggested plastering the entire living room, a suggestion they embraced. They also painted an unsightly wood beam with Benjamin Moore's White Dove to soften the room's aesthetic and replaced outdated builder-grade light fixtures. A standout acquisition was a massive chandelier from a Catholic church in Wichita, Kansas, which Quinn purchased for approximately $100 and had custom painted. Quinn's approach to furnishing involves a slow and deliberate collection process. The living room furniture consists of pieces he accumulated over several years, items that did not end up in client projects. This allowed them to furnish their new, smaller home immediately upon moving. He notes that while clients desire vintage and curated spaces, they understand the time commitment involved. Quinn dedicates half of his time to sourcing from estate sales, Facebook Marketplace, and private sellers, and the other half to working with local dealers and makers. He finds that collaborating with local craftsmen often results in quicker turnarounds compared to large retail stores. Key to Quinn's success is trusting his intuition when selecting pieces. He cites an early 20th-century antique cabinet with hand-etched details and Jean Prouvé taper-style legs, which he bought for just $10, as his favorite current piece. He advises against buying items merely because they are trendy, instead advocating for purchasing what genuinely appeals to one's eye. Once an item is acquired and its quality confirmed, he researches its design and origin. His primary motivation for purchasing is based on personal conviction rather than designer labels. Quinn also employs a unique negotiation strategy on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. When he encountered the chocolate leather Vico Magistretti sofa, recognizing its rarity in the Midwest, he proactively offered the seller more than the asking price. He explains that when communicating with sellers on these platforms, a brief and enthusiastic message expressing appreciation for the item, coupled with an offer slightly above the asking price, can be effective. He believes that by acquiring items at their lowest perceived value and investing in their restoration—through new fabric, reshaping, or restitching—they can be revitalized. Despite paying a little extra occasionally, Quinn feels this approach has consistently led him to discover exceptional furniture. #InteriorDesign #BudgetDecor #FacebookMarketplaceFinds #VintageFurniture #HomeRenovation #DIYDesign #ThriftedHome #DecoratingTips #AffordableLivingRoom #InteriorDesign #BudgetDecor #FacebookMarketplaceFinds #VintageFurniture #HomeRenovation #DIYDesign #ThriftedHome #DecoratingTips #AffordableLivingRoom
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