How to Buy Furniture Like an Interior Designer

How to Buy Furniture Like an Interior Designer

Buying new furniture should be an exciting experience, but with endless options available, it often leads to analysis paralysis. In this episode of Seated with Furniture Row, Interior Designer Barb Chandler and Marketing Director Jessa Murphy break down exactly how to navigate furniture buying without the stress. They cover everything from identifying your lifestyle needs and establishing a budget to the finer details of frames, cushions, and upholstery. Whether you are deciding between performance fabric and top-grain leather, or just need to know how to measure your space properly before heading to the store, this episode has you covered. * 00:00 — Welcome back: Season 2, and why buying furniture is harder than it sounds * 02:50 — Barb's dual role as Interior Designer and Furniture Row Buyer, and why it matters for you * 05:00 — Step 1: Define your lifestyle — pets, kids, how you actually use your space * 08:30 — Sofa vs. sectional vs. chaise: Choosing seating based on how you live and entertain * 12:55 — Step 2: Find your style — how to use Pinterest and Instagram to identify your aesthetic * 17:00 — Start with the big pieces first: Why accessories should always come last * 18:55 — Step 3: Set your budget and priorities — why budgeting is really just prioritization * 23:35 — Where to spend vs. where to save — and why your mattress comes first * 26:30 — Bedroom essentials: What to look for in a bed frame and dresser (dovetail joints, ball-bearing glides, and more) * 35:35 — Step 4: Measure your space — why this is the single most important thing you can do before you shop * 43:10 — Painter's tape trick: How to "try out" furniture placement before you buy * 44:20 — Step 5: Quality and materials — what to look for (and avoid) in sofas, frames, and cushions * 50:20 — Fabric vs. leather: Breaking down the decision, plus corrected vs. uncorrected leather explained * 01:05:50 — Veneers are not cheap: The real story on wood veneers for dining tables and case pieces * 01:28:20 — Solid wood dining tables: Colorado climate, caring for your table, and why this is the year of the dining room * 01:34:55 — Step 6: Where to shop — in-store vs. online, the risk of aggregator sites, and why going in-store is worth it * 01:44:40 — Recap: Barb and Jessa's 6-step framework for buying furniture with confidence * Before purchasing, start by drawing out your floor plan with dimensions — include windows, doors, and any architectural features like a fireplace. * Use painter's tape on the floor to map out the footprint of potential furniture before you buy. * Spend money on furniture you use every single day (your mattress, your sofa, your dresser) and be more flexible on the rest. * When buying a dresser, look for English or French dovetail joints and ball-bearing glides for long-lasting function. * When buying leather, look for top grain leather all the way around — avoid split hide on stationary pieces. * Don't fear veneers — at a reputable retailer, quality veneers allow for beautiful patterns and are a smart, cost-effective choice. * Barb Chandler — Interior Designer and Buyer, Furniture Row * Jessa Murphy — Marketing Director, Furniture Row how to buy furniture; furniture buying guide; how to measure room for furniture; leather sofa; top grain leather sofa; solid wood furniture; hardwood frame, sectional vs sofa; performance fabric sofa; how to shop for furniture; Furniture Row; best furniture stores; living room furniture ideas; bedroom furniture buying guide; sofa for small living rooms; dovetail drawer joints; ball bearing drawer glides; how to arrange living room furniture * Follow and rate Seated with Furniture Row on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/71qZcya9OJUFzHwrhqexmn?si=01ebab4a317343c3]and YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1oS0XUgFokm5uaFuePFgTAsfqs74U3sy&si=-XPZ6ICaVz1wiiIs] to help other shoppers find this episode. * Ready to shop with confidence? Visit a Furniture Row showroom near you [https://www.furniturerow.com/locations] — bring your measurements and let our team help you find the right fit. * Learn more on the Furniture Row blog [https://www.furniturerow.com/blog] for additional buying guides and style inspiration. * Have a furniture question for Barb and Jessa? Leave a comment or send us a message [https://www.instagram.com/furniturerow]!

Style, Survive, and Thrive: How to Design with Plants at Home

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Seated with Furniture Row, Barb sits down with Kossi, creator of Only Plants and Denver’s beloved “plant daddy,” to explore how plants can transform how your home feels, functions, and supports your wellbeing. From turning a millennial-gray townhome into a moody, cozy oasis to opening a glass-front plant shop in Denver’s Dairy Block, Kossi shares real-life design stories and practical styling tips anyone can use. You’ll learn how to start from zero plants, what thrives in low light, and how to decorate with greenery in apartments, small patios, and pet-filled homes without sacrificing style or your security deposit. The conversation also covers biophilic design, washable checkerboard rugs, sofa beds in plant rooms, terrariums as mini ecosystems, and how plant care can support self-care and personal growth. Key Topics00:00 – Intro: How former franchise consultant Kossi launched Only Plants 12:28 – Only Plants: Community, Plant Bingo, and a nontraditional retail model 16:31 – Glow & Grow: Transforming millennial-gray homes with plants & furniture 25:14 – Styling: Decorating with plants in apartments and small spaces 34:12 – Biophilic design: Living walls, natural textures, and everyday spaces 39:05 – Starter Plants: Beginner options, watering rhythms, reading plant signals 43:24 – Plant care basics: Drainage, nursery pots, and simple routines 61:13 – Pet-friendly homes: Plants, pets, and washable rugs 72:07 – Mini ecosystems: Terrariums, flowers, and plant care as self-care 96:25 – Bringing plants home: Getting help and visiting Only Plants Quick Tips * Start with easy-care plants like snake plants, ZZ plants, pothos, and philodendrons. * Keep plants in nursery pots placed inside decorative planters for easier watering and drainage. * Use existing surfaces—books, coffee tables, fridges, kitchen islands—as plant stands. * In pet homes, choose washable rugs and patterned styles that hide wear and mess. * Use hanging plants or higher shelves for curious pets; prioritize pet-safe species in reach zones. * Turn a guest room into a multifunctional space with a sofa bed, shelves, and layered plants. * Add grow bulbs to table or floor lamps for low-light rooms while keeping a warm ambiance. * Treat plant care as self-care—schedule a weekly “watering walk-through” to reset and check in. Featured Hosts / Guest Barb Chandler – Interior Designer, Furniture Row Jessa Murphy – Marketing Director, Furniture Row Kossi – Founder of Only Plants (Denver’s Dairy Block), content creator, and community builder known as “plant daddy” Suggested SEO KeywordsHouseplants, indoor plants, plant decor, home decor with plants, interior design plants, houseplant ideas, plants for the home, plant room, green home decor, small space plant styling, biophilic design living room, beginner houseplants, pet-friendly plants, apartment plant decor (no drilling), monstera decor, snake plant indoor, pothos styling Calls to Action * Follow and rate Seated with Furniture Row to help others discover the show. * Ready to build your own plant-filled sanctuary? Visit a Furniture Row showroom to explore modular sectionals, sofa beds, washable rugs, and storage-friendly shelving. * Learn more about plant styling, small-space layouts, and biophilic design on the Furniture Row blog. * In Denver? Visit Only Plants inside the Free Market at Dairy Block (1801 Blake Street) for in-person help and inspiration.

How Your Style Shapes Your Identity: Tips from a Personal Stylist

What if the way you dress and the way you decorate your home are actually telling the same story? In this episode of Seated with Furniture Row, Interior Designer Barb sits down with personal stylist and style coach Samantha Dawn to unpack the psychology behind personal style. From Samantha's own journey of reinventing herself after motherhood to her signature framework that fuses style with psychology, this conversation goes deeper than trends - it's about identity, alignment, and stepping into your next era. You'll walk away with a completely new way of thinking about both your closet and your living space. Samantha breaks down why "copy and paste" style never quite works, how to stop dressing (and decorating) for who you were, and how small, intentional changes -- even just adding earrings or rearranging one corner of a room - can shift how you feel about yourself every single day. Key Topics & What You'll Learn * 00:00 - Intro: The psychology behind style and why it connects your wardrobe to your home * 02:05 - Meet Samantha Dawn: Personal stylist, style coach, and psychology-meets-fashion expert * 03:18 - Samantha's origin story: A "happy accident" career that started as a side hustle * 04:29 - Identity and wardrobe: How your job, life stage, and self-image shape what's in your closet * 05:11 - The postpartum pivot: Using psychological practices to reconnect with yourself and your style * 27:21 - "Copy and paste style syndrome": Why you can buy the outfit but you can't buy the aura * 29:53 - Why style disappointment happens and why people default to the same 3-5 outfits * 33:24 - Style evolves as you evolve: You don't have to stay married to one look * 36:09 - Start small: One earring, one pillow, one change can shift everything * 39:21 - Reframe the narrative: From "I can't" to "why can't I?" * 43:23 - Don't start by shopping: Start by asking "what is my story?" * 48:13 - Edit with intention: What to keep, what to let go, and how to restyle what you have * 52:51 - Client story: From survival mode to rediscovery and how confidence returns through alignment * 59:10 - No more excuses: Living the way you want now, not someday * 01:06:05 - The language of style: Why "camouflage" feels better than "hide" * 01:12:01 - Invest intentionally: It takes the same amount of time to wear a great outfit as a bad one * 01:18:59 - The three-step reset: Start with feeling, then remove, then build * 01:24:21 - Take five minutes: How to evaluate your space or closet and know when to ask for help * 01:30:41 - Romanticize your routine: How your morning sets the tone for your whole day * 01:35:52 - Messy action over perfection: Why progress beats polish every time Quick Tips * Don't start with shopping - start by asking yourself: "What is the story I want to tell right now? * You cannot buy someone else's aura. Inspiration is great, but your style has to be rooted in who you are. * Start smaller than you think: add one accessory, swap one pillow, change one thing and see how it feels. * Edit before you add. Remove what no longer serves you before bringing anything new in -- in your closet and your home. * Reframe your language: swap "I can't wear/do that" for "why can't I?" That one shift changes your entire approach. * It takes the same amount of time to put on an intentional outfit (or style a corner of your home) as it does a careless one - choose intentionally. Featured Hosts & Guest Barb Chandler - Interior Designer, Furniture Row Samantha Dawn - Personal Stylist and Style Coach; featured in Harper's Bazaar and InStyle; helps high-level female leaders and executives step into their next era through her style-meets-psychology framework. Follow and rate the Seated Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/71qZcya9OJUFzHwrhqexmn?si=a47dfbc4553d4d30] so more people can find the show. Want more inspiration on designing a home that fits your personality? Check out the our blog [https://www.furniturerow.com/blog] for style guides & tips. Connect with Samantha on Instagram [instagram.com/bysamanthadawn] or visit bysamanthadawn.com [http://bysamanthadawn.com/]

More Color, More Character: How Grandmillennial Style Is Taking Over

In this episode of Seated with Furniture Row, Barb and Jessa are joined by Denver-based lifestyle creator Brittany Pillard – a self-described grandmillennial at heart – for a warm, inspiring conversation about why traditional design is making a serious comeback. Together, they define the grandmillennial aesthetic, tour Brittany's red-brick home room by room, and explore how this collected, nostalgic style is less of a look and more of a lifestyle built slowly over time. You’ll walk away with real, actionable ideas for layering heirlooms with new finds, using color confidently, designing kids' rooms that grow with your family, and hosting more intentionally. If you've ever felt like your home should tell more of your story,  this episode is your permission slip. Additional Resources * Mentioned this episode: La Cache [https://www.childrenscolorado.org/community/support-childrens-colorado/visit-our-la-cache-consignment-shop/], a Denver nonprofit antique and heirloom shop benefiting Children's Hospital Colorado * Related Seated episodes:  * Cottagecore Home Styling [https://open.spotify.com/episode/0zR8Y0gQ8sEBkMxy3VPeZK?si=acf4703f02694335] * European Design Trends [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5cICUwkzJg7hb97KVyucoJ?si=061a2aa84042463a] * Follow and rate Seated with Furniture Row [https://open.spotify.com/show/71qZcya9OJUFzHwrhqexmn]  to help more people find the show — and leave a review if this episode spoke to you! * Ready to build your grandmillennial space? Shop traditional-style furniture and accents [https://www.furniturerow.com/pl/Styles/Traditional] at Furniture Row. * Want more styling inspiration? Explore the Furniture Row blog [https://www.furniturerow.com/blog] for tips on layering, color, and classic design. * Find a Furniture Row showroom near you [https://www.furniturerow.com/locations] to explore upholstered seating, traditional dining furniture, accent pieces, and more in person. * Connect with Brittany on Instagram: @brittanypillard [https://www.instagram.com/brittanypillard/]

Community Is the Design: Inside Denver's Green Spaces with Jevon Taylor

Community Is the Design: Inside Denver's Green Spaces with Jevon Taylor What does sustainability really mean in a city like Denver? In this episode of Seated with Furniture Row, Jevon Taylor — owner of Green Spaces — shares how he transformed one of Denver’s earliest coworking spaces into a thriving community hub designed to lower barriers for small businesses and retain local talent . From RiNo to a full-block redevelopment on 16th Street, Jevon explains why: * Belonging is a design strategy * Local investment outperforms national chains * Sustainability must include economic access * Community data can reshape city funding This episode is for entrepreneurs, city planners, designers, and anyone invested in the future of urban life. What You'll Learn: Key Topics & Timestamps 02:15 – Reinventing Green Spaces Post-COVID 04:45 – Access & Affordability for Small Businesses 09:12 – Defining Intentional Community 12:36 – The Power of Third Spaces 15:46 – Sustainability Beyond Marketing 19:18 – 16th Street & Downtown Revitalization 24:18 – Avoiding Greenwashing 26:19 – Scaling Community with Data 34:01 – The Future of Ownership & Impact 40:43 – Leadership, Faith & Long-Term Vision If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Seated with Furniture Row and leave a review to help others discover conversations about design, leadership, and community impact. Green Spaces & Jevon links to stay connected: www.greenspaces.com [www.greenspaces.com] @greenspaces [https://www.instagram.com/greenspaces] Jevon's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jevon-taylor-068862155] @obscuraink [https://www.instagram.com/obscuraink/] @migascoffeeco [https://www.instagram.com/migascoffeeco]