5 Tips for Investing in Quality + Our Favorite Enduring Pieces

We’ve all heard the old adage, “buy once, cry once”; it refers to the belief that investing in craftsmanship, whether you’re purchasing patio furniture or a pair of classic pumps, is a smarter approach than buying something cheaper that you’ll ultimately have to replace.

This idea was instilled in me early on by my father, along with “don’t borrow anything you can’t replace.” And, while both sentiments are echoes of another time, when real quality trumped pure consumption, they’re still the foundation of how I shop today—for my own home, for my clients’ projects and for BOXHILL offerings, too.  

It’s definitely a mentality, but one that I believe can accommodate a wide range of budgets and aesthetics. Making the assumption that EVERYTHING you’re considering is made to last, here are five foolproof tips to keep your selections on track for a joyous future.

1. Go Classic.

If you choose your investment pieces well, they could be in your family for generations. Amazing, right? Your children can thank you later! Just keep in mind that whatever’s “in” right now might not be cool when your kids take the reins. Instead, choose classic shapes in durable materials, like our Modern Concrete Chair. This sleek interpretation of the traditional Adirondack is shockingly comfortable, strong enough to survive a nuclear attack, and thoroughly unique without being trendy. The kids will definitely fight over it.

2. Embrace Whimsy.

For smaller items that won’t break the bank even if you get ‘em gold plated, by all means follow your heart! This is the place to get something completely unique that gives you joy every time you use it—and which will continue to spark joy in the next generation, too. Our Handcrafted Walnut Garden Tools are the perfect splurge for yourself, and probably one of the best housewarming gifts you could give. They’re handcrafted in America to last forever, and are beautiful enough to hang as a working design element.

3. Get Graphic.

Remember the bold patterned sofas of the 1960s and 70s? I love a good print as much as the next girl (well, maybe not as much as Trina Turk), but there’s a reason designers tend to favor solids for longer-lifespan pieces. Our love for a particular textile is often fleeting; when considering pieces you want to love forever, you may be considering letting the piece’s actual design do the “personality work.” Our Acapulco Leather Lounge Chair is striking in all the right ways, with a wonderful graphic feel—no textiles required.

4. Transcend Tradition.

Heirloom pots? Yes, they’re a thing. If you’re accenting your exterior living space with free-standing planters, there isn’t a more sound investment than our Jackpot Vessel. This striking modern classic was designed by textile guru Jack Lenore Larson as an homage to a favorite Japanese lacquer bowl from his personal collection. The pots are handmade in Impruneta, Italy—the birthplace of artisan terracotta. Traditional materials and timeless design mean a lifetime (or several) of beautiful backyard plantings.

5. Be Unique.

There’s one final category by which I judge investment pieces, but it’s not for the faint of heart. If I’m considering a pricey piece that doesn’t qualify as “classic,” it has to be ready to DROP SOME JAWS—and that’s exactly what happens every time people lay eyes on our Copper Modfire Outdoor Fire Pit for the first time. It doesn’t even need to be on fire to solicit stares! Though it comes in three sizes and multiple finishes, I can’t get over the copper; as it ages and gathers patina, it only becomes more interesting…just like we do.