Expensive vs. Costly

There's something special about owning products that have been carefully crafted—whether it's furniture, clothing, or art. It gives the feeling that you're not just using something, but truly experiencing it.

I am particularly drawn to items that are made by hand and tactile, like beautiful handmade rugs from India or a perfectly sprung chair to sit on. There's something so special about items that invite you to interact with them on a sensory level—whether it’s the feel of a handmade rug underfoot or the comfort and support of a well-crafted chair. It’s a connection that mass-produced items just can’t match. The tactile nature of handmade goods speaks to the care and attention that went into their creation.

With handmade rugs, for example, each knot, each thread is part of a larger story of craftsmanship and tradition. And a perfectly sprung chair—when you sit in it, you can feel that it was designed with both comfort and durability in mind. It’s like a hidden layer of quality that only reveals itself when you experience the piece up close.

But there's so expensive you say? Let's consider the distinction between expensive and costly. The line between the two really comes down to value, doesn’t it? Expensive items might carry a high price tag, but that doesn’t always mean they’re built to last or offer the same level of craftsmanship as something made with real skill and quality materials. It’s the investment in time, knowledge, and superior materials that defines what makes something truly valuable in the long run.

With 12+ years of experience in reupholstering and design, I have developed a deep appreciation for the nuances that separate a quick trend from something enduring. When customer say things to me, like the Cotswolds chair is the most comfortable chairs they've ever owned, I believe this showcases the difference between expensive and truly valuable.

Costly reflects the true value that goes into an item, with all the effort, craftsmanship, and quality materials that make it something worth keeping for the long haul. Expensive, on the other hand, might just reflect a premium based on branding or superficial qualities that don’t speak to durability or genuine quality. I take pride in creating pieces that are meant to last, and the fact that they’re made in Canada only adds to the authenticity of the product.

It’s rare to find furniture that’s not just designed to look good, but actually to be used and loved for generations. Features and benefits that sets our designs apart from others in terms of functionality and craftsmanship including but are not limited to: eight-way hand-tied coil spring seats, solid wood frames, hand-applied nailhead trim, and a focus on natural fibre upholstery fabrics.