I’ve always believed that the relationship between a real estate advisor and a client shouldn’t end when the keys are handed over.
Finding the right home is one part of the journey. Making it feel like yours is another.
Over the years, I’ve found myself sharing architectural references, introducing clients to interior designers, and recommending furniture, art, and objects that I think would work beautifully in their homes.
Not because it’s part of a transaction, but because I genuinely love design and believe the spaces we create have a lasting influence on how we live.
And there’s another reason I care so much about these decisions.
A thoughtfully designed home can also be a more compelling home when it’s time to sell.
Why Design Matters Beyond Aesthetics
When buyers walk into a property, they’re responding to much more than square footage and a floor plan.
They’re noticing how the rooms connect, how natural light moves through the space, whether the furniture complements the architecture, and how easily they can imagine themselves living there.
A well-designed interior helps communicate all of those things.
I’ve seen homes where the owners invested time in selecting the right furniture, working with talented designers, and creating a cohesive atmosphere. When it came time to sell, those homes were already beautifully presented.
In some cases, they required very little additional staging.
Of course, design alone doesn’t determine how quickly a property sells. Pricing, market conditions, location, and the property’s condition all matter. But thoughtful interiors can strengthen a home’s presentation and help buyers understand its potential.
That’s why I encourage clients to think about design as something that serves them today while considering how their home might be experienced by someone else tomorrow.
The Power of Scale, Texture, and Personality
One of the most common mistakes I see in interiors is treating every room as though it needs to be filled.
Sometimes a space needs exactly the opposite.
A beautifully proportioned chair, a sculptural room divider, or a large work of art can create more impact than an entire collection of smaller pieces.
I love interiors that feel collected over time, where contemporary design sits comfortably alongside vintage finds, craftsmanship is appreciated, and nothing feels too predictable.
Recently, I’ve been exploring Artemest, a destination for Italian craftsmanship, furniture, lighting, and collectible design.
These are five pieces that caught my attention and reflect how I think about creating a memorable home.
My Artemest Edit: Five Pieces Worth Knowing
1. The Vignette Coffee Table by Gachot
An appreciation for material and texture.
I’ve always loved the warmth that leather brings to an interior.
A coffee table is often the center of a living room, so I look for pieces that feel intentional without overwhelming the surrounding furniture.
The Vignette Coffee Table caught my attention for its use of leather and the way a familiar material can give an everyday object a different character.
It’s the kind of piece I would consider for a living room that needs warmth and quiet sophistication.
Explore the Vignette Coffee Table
2. Cartoons Havana Paper Screen
Why I love room dividers.
I have a particular fascination with room dividers.
They’re one of my favorite ways to give a space personality, especially in New York apartments where one large room may need to serve several purposes.
A divider can create a sense of intimacy without permanently changing the architecture. It can define a reading area, separate a workspace, or introduce an unexpected sculptural element.
The Cartoons Havana Paper Screen is a wonderful example of how a functional object can become part of a room’s visual identity.
Explore the Cartoons Havana Paper Screen
3. Beverly Hills II Photography
Every room needs a wow factor.
I believe every home needs at least one moment that makes you stop.
It might be a bold painting, an oversized photograph, or an extraordinary piece of furniture.
For me, it’s often about scale.
A large artwork can completely change how a room feels, bringing energy and personality to a space that might otherwise seem too restrained.
Beverly Hills II caught my eye for exactly that reason.
Explore Beverly Hills II Photography
4. The Vignette Signature Club Chair by GACHOT
The importance of proportion.
A beautifully designed chair can transform an entire corner.
I love pieces that feel inviting and substantial without being visually heavy.
The Vignette Signature Club Chair from Artemest’s collaboration with GACHOT reflects the kind of considered design I appreciate: furniture that feels contemporary but can live comfortably with pieces from different periods.
Explore the Artemest Collection by GACHOT
5. Shark Brown 15-Shelf Bookcase by Giuseppe Viganò for Morelato
Living with the things you love.
Bookshelves are one of my favorite elements in a home because they reveal something about the people who live there.
Books, ceramics, photographs, and collected objects can tell a story in a way that purely decorative accessories rarely do.
I was drawn to the architectural quality of the Shark Brown 15-Shelf Bookcase and the possibilities it creates for displaying a collection.
I prefer shelves that feel personal rather than perfectly styled.
A Home Should Reflect the People Who Live There
I don’t believe in designing a home exclusively for its future resale.
That would miss the point of owning and enjoying it.
I believe in creating a space that feels authentic to you, with thoughtful decisions that respect the architecture and make everyday life more enjoyable.
When those elements come together, the result is often a home that feels just as compelling to the next person who walks through the door.
And that’s what I mean when I say my work goes beyond the sale.
If you’re thinking about buying, renovating, or preparing a home for the market, I’d love to help you consider the possibilities.
Claudia Saez-Fromm
nyLife/ | A New York life, thoughtfully curated.
