18 Biggest Furniture Buying Mistakes

Thom Filicia joins the Dear Alice Interior Design Podcast for a candid conversation about interior design, furniture design, building a successful design career, and what he's learned after decades in the industry. Thom shares advice for young designers, overlooked opportunities, business lessons no one teaches in design school, and how television has changed the way the public thinks about interior design. We also dive into design trends, changing your mind as your career evolves, successful client habits, design heroes, vintage versus custom, and Thom's definition of luxury. Whether you're a designer, aspiring designer, or passionate about interiors, this episode is full of career advice, design inspiration, and insight from one of the industry's most recognizable voices. Shop Alice Lane: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/⁠  Sign up for our Insider Rewards Program: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/pages/insider-program ⁠  Follow us on Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelanehome⁠ & ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelaneinteriors ⁠ Follow us on Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/AliceLaneHome/⁠  Go to ⁠https://cozyearth.com/pages/dearalice⁠ for 20% off your Cozy Earth order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thoughtfully mixing materials is what gives an interior depth, warmth, and personality. In this episode of the Dear Alice Interior Design Podcast, we're sharing how we mix flooring, cabinetry, stone, wallpaper, paint, lighting, and hardware to create layered and cohesive interiors. From choosing wood versus stone flooring to mixing cabinet finishes, adding warmth at eye level, and combining lighting and hardware finishes, we break down the design decisions that make a home feel collected rather than overly matched. Whether you're building, remodeling, or simply looking for better ways to finish your home, this episode is full of practical interior design advice. Shop Alice Lane: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/⁠  Sign up for our Insider Rewards Program: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/pages/insider-program ⁠  Follow us on Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelanehome⁠ & ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelaneinteriors ⁠ Follow us on Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/AliceLaneHome/⁠  Go to ⁠https://cozyearth.com/pages/dearalice⁠ for 20% off your Cozy Earth order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some interior design opinions are almost guaranteed to spark a debate, and we're sharing plenty of them in this episode of the Dear Alice Interior Design Podcast. Joined by hot takes from our listeners, we discuss the decorating trends, design decisions, and industry advice that deserve a second look. From marble versus quartz and open shelving to painted wood, resale value, neutral interiors, and what it really takes to create a beautiful home, we explore why good design is about thoughtful decisions rather than following every trend or rule. It's an honest, entertaining conversation about designing spaces that feel authentic, timeless, and uniquely yours. Shop Alice Lane: ⁠⁠https://alicelanehome.com/⁠⁠  Sign up for our Insider Rewards Program: ⁠⁠https://alicelanehome.com/pages/insider-program ⁠⁠  Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/alicelanehome⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/alicelaneinteriors ⁠⁠ Follow us on Facebook:⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/AliceLaneHome/⁠⁠  Go to ⁠⁠https://cozyearth.com/pages/dearalice⁠⁠ for 20% off your Cozy Earth order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If your home feels like it's missing something, it probably isn't the furniture—it's the finishing details. In this episode of the Dear Alice Interior Design Podcast, we're sharing 10 reasons your room feels unfinished and the simple design elements that instantly make a space feel more complete. We discuss everything from window treatments, artwork, rugs, lighting, and hardware to adding color, greenery, and meaningful decorative pieces that bring warmth and personality to your home. Whether you're decorating a new space or refreshing an existing one, these practical interior design tips will help you create rooms that feel polished, layered, and intentionally designed. Shop Alice Lane: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/⁠  Sign up for our Insider Rewards Program: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/pages/insider-program ⁠  Follow us on Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelanehome⁠ & ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelaneinteriors ⁠ Follow us on Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/AliceLaneHome/⁠  Go to ⁠https://cozyearth.com/pages/dearalice⁠ for 20% off your Cozy Earth order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A beautiful kitchen starts with thoughtful planning—not just beautiful finishes. In this episode of the Dear Alice Interior Design Podcast, we're breaking down the essential decisions that create a kitchen that's both highly functional and timeless. From designing an efficient kitchen layout and organizing cabinetry to selecting countertops, backsplashes, lighting, appliances, and hardware, we walk through the details we consider on every custom kitchen project. We also share our favorite materials, discuss where to invest your budget, and explain the common kitchen remodeling mistakes that can affect how your space looks and functions for years to come. Whether you're planning a kitchen renovation, building a custom home, or simply gathering ideas for your dream kitchen, this episode is packed with practical interior design advice to help you create a kitchen that works beautifully for everyday living. Shop Alice Lane: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/⁠  Sign up for our Insider Rewards Program: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/pages/insider-program ⁠  Follow us on Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelanehome⁠ & ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelaneinteriors ⁠ Follow us on Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/AliceLaneHome/⁠  Go to ⁠https://cozyearth.com/pages/dearalice⁠ for 20% off your Cozy Earth order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when the Alice Lane team gets to interview the hosts? In this special behind-the-scenes episode of the Dear Alice Interior Design Podcast, our employees ask the questions they've always wanted answered, leading to one of our most personal and entertaining conversations yet. We talk about the design projects that changed how we approach interiors, how we know when a room is truly finished, the paint colors we're loving, our funniest installation stories, and what we'd do differently if we were building Alice Lane from scratch today. Along the way, we answer unexpected questions, share personal memories, and give listeners an inside look at the people, culture, and creativity behind our interior design studio. If you've ever wanted to know the stories behind Alice Lane or get to know the hosts beyond the design advice, this episode is for you. Expect candid conversations, practical design insights, and plenty of laughs along the way. Shop Alice Lane: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/⁠  Sign up for our Insider Rewards Program: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/pages/insider-program ⁠  Follow us on Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelanehome⁠ & ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelaneinteriors ⁠ Follow us on Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/AliceLaneHome/⁠  Go to ⁠https://cozyearth.com/pages/dearalice⁠ for 20% off your Cozy Earth order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building a custom home is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make, and the right builder can make all the difference. In this episode of the Dear Alice Interior Design Podcast, we're joined by luxury custom home builder Erin Stetzer to talk about what really happens behind the scenes of a successful build. With more than 25 years of experience building high-end homes alongside leading architects and interior designers, Erin shares how to establish a realistic budget, avoid common construction pitfalls, know where to invest your money, and build a strong partnership between your builder and designer. We also discuss the overlooked details that elevate a home, trends she believes won't stand the test of time, and her best advice for anyone planning a custom home today. Whether you're building from the ground up, remodeling your forever home, or simply love timeless design, this conversation offers practical insights that will help you approach your project with confidence. Shop Alice Lane: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/⁠  Sign up for our Insider Rewards Program: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/pages/insider-program ⁠  Follow us on Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelanehome⁠ & ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelaneinteriors ⁠ Follow us on Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/AliceLaneHome/⁠  Go to ⁠https://cozyearth.com/pages/dearalice⁠ for 20% off your Cozy Earth order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From oversized sectionals to undersized rugs, some furniture mistakes can make even the most beautiful home feel awkward. In this episode, we're sharing the biggest furniture buying mistakes we see homeowners make from choosing the wrong scale, seat height, and table proportions to falling for trendy pieces that don't function well in real life. Whether you're furnishing a new home, redesigning a living room, or investing in high-end furniture, these expert interior design tips will help you avoid costly mistakes. Shop Alice Lane: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/⁠  Sign up for our Insider Rewards Program: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/pages/insider-program ⁠  Follow us on Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelanehome⁠ & ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelaneinteriors ⁠ Follow us on Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/AliceLaneHome/⁠  Go to ⁠https://cozyearth.com/pages/dearalice⁠ for 20% off your Cozy Earth order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Window treatments can make or break a room but with so many options, where do you start? In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about custom window treatments, including the difference between drapery, curtains, Roman shades, and café curtains, how to choose the right fabrics and pleat styles, and the hardware details that instantly elevate a space. We also tackle challenging window situations, sharing expert interior design tips to help you create beautiful, functional, and timeless window treatments in every room of your home. Shop Alice Lane: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/⁠  Sign up for our Insider Rewards Program: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/pages/insider-program ⁠  Follow us on Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelanehome⁠ & ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelaneinteriors ⁠ Follow us on Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/AliceLaneHome/⁠  Go to ⁠https://cozyearth.com/pages/dearalice⁠ for 20% off your Cozy Earth order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thinking about hiring an interior designer but not sure where to start? In this episode, we break down how to choose the right interior designer for your project, from understanding the difference between interior design and decorating to vetting portfolios, checking references, discussing budgets, and spotting red flags before you sign a contract. Whether you're planning a custom home build, home renovation, or full-service interior design project, this conversation will help you confidently hire a designer, communicate effectively, and create a successful designer-client relationship from day one. Shop Alice Lane: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/⁠  Sign up for our Insider Rewards Program: ⁠https://alicelanehome.com/pages/insider-program ⁠  Follow us on Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelanehome⁠ & ⁠https://instagram.com/alicelaneinteriors ⁠ Follow us on Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/AliceLaneHome/⁠  Go to ⁠https://cozyearth.com/pages/dearalice⁠ for 20% off your Cozy Earth order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices