Dear Alice | Interior Design

Episode: "To Splurge Or Not To Splurge"

Hosts: Jessica Bennett (A), Suzanne Hall (B), and Corey (C)
Date: December 4, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode is dedicated to the eternal interior design question: which home updates are worth a splurge, and where can you save? In response to a listener question from Lauren Zhao, Jessica, Suzanne, and Corey share deeply personal and professional insights, offering actionable advice for listeners tackling remodels or special projects. Their lively discussion moves through key areas of the home—countertops, flooring, finishes, lighting, furnishings—debating when to spend, when to wait, and how to be creative with any budget. The episode is rich with anecdotes from their own homes, practical shopping tips, and signature wit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Splurge-or-Save Dilemma in Home Design

• Topic Introduction [00:00-02:25]
  The hosts highlight that deciding where to spend is highly individual—not just personal taste, but often a negotiation with a partner or client.

  “This is how we would discern our money and say: this is worth splurging on, this is maybe something to hold.” — Jessica (A) [01:03]

2. Countertops & Slabs: When to Go All-In

• Kitchen and Primary Baths Are Worth It [02:28-08:26]

  • Splurge On: Kitchen and primary bath countertops; real marble, quartzite, and unique natural stones.
  • Save: Kid baths, secondary baths, small “powder rooms” where a creative, smaller slab or even a special sink will do.

  “When you walk in and it’s just like... all the air goes out of the helium balloon... there's just no debtor giveaway. And the coloring isn’t quite natural either—looks like printed cellulite.” — Jessica (A) [04:12]

  Pro Tips:

  • Check for natural stone remnants or “boneyard” options with your fabricator for smaller areas (powder rooms, vanities).
  • Be open to unique or unusual stones—colored, veined, or less mainstream can be a showstopper and often cost less.
  • Building your room around a bold slab can define the whole space.

  “Every time someone sees that bathroom, they’re just like, what on earth is your countertop made of?” — Suzanne (B) [07:34]

3. Flooring: Wood, Stone, and What to Avoid

• Engineered Hardwood vs. Solid Wood vs. LVT [09:28-15:15]

  • Splurge On: High-quality engineered or solid wood floors in major living areas; real stone in entryways and main baths.
  • Save: Avoid replacing floors with “fake” materials (LVT, laminate vinyl) if possible—even painted subfloor is better!

  "LVT is not an option at all for me. I would rather live like you are—painted subfloor—than live with a LVT.” — Jessica (A) [12:20]

  Stone Tile:

  • For entries/baths, use real stone—even if it means a smaller area or simple cuts.
  • For secondary spaces (mudrooms, laundry, kids’ baths), budget porcelain tile in a creative pattern is an “acceptable” save.

  “If it’s going to be real stone versus a fake stone, do real stone... It’s that first impression.” — Suzanne (B) [16:06]

4. Millwork, Trim & Walls: Where to Wait

• Millwork is the Icing—Save It for Later [19:55-25:39]
  • Focus budget elsewhere during initial remodel; add wall paneling, crown molding, or special trim later.
  • Avoid boring, “flat stock” trim.
  • When you do update trim, choose interesting profiles, even if simple.

  “You give a mouse a cookie, and pretty soon you've got to finish worker going and you keep having more ideas...” — Jessica (A) [24:30]

5. Lighting: Art or Afterthought?

• Splurge in Key Spaces, Wait for the Right Moment [25:41-31:18]

  • Splurge: Decorative fixtures are transformative—can define a space if chosen thoughtfully.
  • It’s okay to "roll over and play dead" in secondary areas (bare bulbs, minimal fixtures) until the budget allows.
  • Prioritize fixed parts (countertops, flooring) first, then lighting in phases.

  “Lighting is art... there’s artistry in every single one of these topics ... it’s what you value.” — Suzanne (B) [29:04]

  Memorable Moment:

  • Jessica recalls her brother saying her new home didn't even need furniture since the lighting alone gave the rooms so much soul. [28:22]

6. Paint & Tile: Don’t Skimp on Quality

• Paint: Buy the best; labor can be DIY if needed [31:26-34:31]

  • Name brand matters for coverage and color.
  • Don’t try to “color match” designer paint brands with cheaper paint bases—results will disappoint.

  “If you take a Benjamin Moore color into Home Depot or Lowe’s and you say, can you color match? ...Bare paint is rooted in blue—no longer off-white, it was like, icy blue.” — Corey (C) [33:44]

• Tile:

  • Invest in statement tile or creative layouts for visual interest (backsplashes, powder rooms, niche spaces).
  • Save by using budget tile in creative patterns for less prominent spaces.

  “The tile patterns and how you lay it... that’s just such a key giveaway to someone that really cares about a space.” — Suzanne (B) [35:03]

7. Furniture & Decor: Invest in Comfort & Longevity

• Splurge on: Large upholstery—sofa, bed, main seating.

  • Filling, fabric, and frames are not created equal; investing here means comfort and durability.

  “Recovering an old sofa costs the same as buying brand new, if not more.” — Jessica (A) [36:38]

  • Accessories, tables, lamps: mix in vintage or thrifted to save; layer them in over time for personality.

  “You don’t have to do everything right this second. Just build it over time and it feels more curated...” — Corey (C) [37:58]

8. General Principles & Mindset

• Define Your Area of Focus [39:25-40:28]

  • Don’t spread the budget thin—focus on one project or area at a time for best results and satisfaction.
  • Everyone is on a budget, even in high design—learn to play the “high-low” game.

  “We all have the designer budget, like Corey was saying. We’re all building our dreams, little by little.” — Jessica (A) [40:34]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Designer taste on a designer budget. So this is us trying to figure that out.” — Corey (C) [01:24]
• “This is the dead eyes in the home. If you have quartz countertops... like all the air goes out of the helium balloon.” — Jessica (A) [04:12]
• “You can assume everything great about this house and the people who made the decisions before you if you’re buying a remodel.” — Jessica (A) [05:23]
• “LVT is not an option at all for me... I would rather live like you are than with LVT.” — Jessica (A) [12:17]
• “Don’t cheap out on [paint]. It never works out. Name brand matters.” — Corey (C) [34:33]
• “Focus on the sit. Invest in the sofa and bed, and collect the accessories as you go.” — Corey (C) [37:54]
• “Everybody’s on a budget, even when we’re doing full homes... you have to play the high-low game.” — Suzanne (B) [38:09]
• “We’re all building our dreams, little by little.” — Jessica (A) [40:36]

Quick-Reference: Splurge/Saves by Category

| Category | Splurge | Save / Hold | |------------------|------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------| | Countertops | Kitchen, primary bath slabs (natural) | Secondary baths, powder room alternatives | | Flooring | Engineered/sand & finish hardwood, stone | LVT/laminate = NO; creative with subfloor | | Stone tile | Entry, main baths, feature spots | Laundry/mudrooms: budget porcelain tiles | | Millwork/Trim | Wait for budget, do it right later | Don’t rush or do boring, basic flat stock | | Lighting | Decorative fixtures in main areas | Plain bulbs elsewhere until ready | | Paint | High-quality, name brand paint | DIY labor if needed, but never cheap paint | | Tile (decorative)| Feature/niche spaces for big impact | Standard tile in non-feature spaces | | Furniture | Large upholstery, beds | Accessorize over time, thrift unique pieces |

Engaging Takeaways

• Start with what matters for foundation and resale—counters, flooring, structure.
• Embrace “phased” updates; it’s okay to wait and invest in special details later.
• Be creative with slab and tile shopping; remnants and unusual pieces create one-of-a-kind spaces.
• Your home should reflect your values—splurge in the categories that matter most to you.

Useful Timestamps

• Countertops: [02:28–08:26]
• Flooring: [09:28–15:15]
• Stone Tile: [15:15–18:57]
• Millwork/Trim: [19:55–25:39]
• Lighting: [25:41–31:18]
• Paint & Tile: [31:26–35:45]
• Furniture & Decor: [35:47–39:25]
• Mindset & Strategy: [39:25–End]

Conclusion

This episode is an invaluable, honest guide to approaching the ever-challenging question of where to spend in home design. Filled with sharp wit, tactical advice, and real-life stories from seasoned designers, listeners walk away ready to tackle their own splurge-or-save dilemmas—armed with clear priorities, creative ideas, and the reassurance that “we’re all building our dreams, little by little.”