Save or Splurge? Six Items Worth The Investment

“I love it. But should I get it?”

How many times have you asked yourself this age-old design question: To Save or To Splurge? 

Knowing when to invest can sometimes be tricky, but some pieces truly stand the test of time, both in quality and style. In fact, the right investment pieces don’t just fill a space: They transform it. 

The best accessories and the right furniture pieces will elevate your overall aesthetic and create an intentional, curated look. They’re timeless instead of trendy, and they’re flexible for different places and spaces.

Here are six pieces (currently in our Home Market) that Evan Stephens (one of our Design Team) considers worth every penny.

1. Eleanor Sofa

Available in-store and online.

Velvety texture meets clean lines in the Eleanor Sofa. We love it in spaces that call for both comfort and a refined edge—think a moody lounge layered with textured throws, in a refined home office for a touch of comfort and polish, or in a cozy den as a statement of understated luxury.

2. Fiona Leather Dining Chair

Available in-store and online.

The beauty of this chair is all in the contrast: a rich, masculine leather paired with a soft, curved silhouette. That unexpected combination makes it incredibly versatile. It’s perfect as a dining chair, but equally at home as an accent piece in an office, bedroom, or cozy den. The warm color tones cry out and invite you to take a seat. It’s a functional investment with elevated style you’ll enjoy for years.

3. Vintage Charcoal Pottery Jar

Available in-store and online.

At ONYX + ALABASTER, we love to combine old and new in unexpected ways. Adding vintage and antique pieces to your fresh, modern space can work beautifully (when done right).  

There’s something undeniably captivating about the patina of vintage pottery. This piece adds an old-world charm and strikes the perfect balance between polished and collected. Whether styled on a bookshelf, layered on top of a console table, or set atop a fireplace mantel, it brings warmth, history, and an effortless sense of sophistication.

4. Vintage Rugs

Interior Design by ONYX + ALABASTER | Photography by: Allison Ellefante | Rugs available in-store and online.

As pictured here in a client’s beautiful entryway, a vintage rug is the ultimate style chameleon, bringing depth and dimension to nearly any room. We love the visual tension it creates when paired with clean-lined, modern furnishings. The unique colors, intricate patterns, and storied history of each rug make it a true statement piece. 

In this modern classic entryway, we layered in a pair of vintage rugs to bring warmth and depth to the clean architectural lines. The muted tones and timeworn pattern create an inviting first impression, while the natural variation in the weave adds texture and soul to the space. 

It’s the perfect example of how a vintage piece can soften a design and make it feel instantly lived-in.

5.  “Two Sisters” Framed Painting / Print

Available in-store only.

From its rich, warm tones to the ridged detailing on the frame, this piece is beautifully understated. The framing feels bespoke, while the landscape-meets-abstract composition is cozy and comforting. We love it above a guest bed, or layered over a console table in a hallway, either leaning casually or hanging as a focal point.

6. Denes Accent Table Lamp

Available in-store and online.

They say lighting is the jewelry of a room, and this all-brass lamp wears it well. Its design seamlessly blends modern minimalism with a touch of traditional charm. Picture it on a dining room sideboard, on a console table, or as a pair of nightstand lamps for an unexpected, refined twist.

In our home market, we have a pair styled dramatically on the mantel.

Why Splurge

Each of these pieces was chosen not only for its beauty but for its longevity. They’re the kinds of finds that make a space feel finished, curated, and personal. Elements you’ll never tire of seeing in your home.

Ready to elevate your space? Stop into the O+A Market to see (and touch) these pieces (and plenty more) in person.