5 under $300

I wouldn’t call myself a bargain shopper, I definitely love the finer things in life.  My favorite fabric company is Rogers & Goffigon, with a median price point of about $250 per yard retail, so I wouldn’t say that my taste is cheap.  However, I do live in the real world, where budgets are generally driving a design just as much as a client’s, or my, taste.

A welcome challenge for me is how to mix high and low and still achieve a sophisticated put together look that doesn’t scream ‘My house could be an ad for Ikea’.

I think it is important to have a collection of pieces ranging from antiques to well made classics that show you know what you are doing in the design world.  Along the way, if you have to throw in a little cb2 or Ikea, it’s OK, especially if it allows you to splurge on other pieces that make the space and elevate the overall design.  The trick is to do it right, so that your bargain buys blend seamlessly into your space.

Here are 5 of my go to pieces.  Items that I seem to use repeatedly to stretch a budget a little further, but don’t look like you skimped…

Eames wire base plastic side chair $249 comes in a variety of colors and is a classic icon of modern design.

Peekaboo clear coffee table $249  from cb2 is versatile and compact, with its barely there appearance it quietly adds a dose of style to your space.

These Jute Boucle area rugs from West Elm $199 for an 8′ x 10′ rug add texture and a simple foundation to any room.

KULLA table lamp from Ikea $49.99 easily earns its keep with its classic modern lines.

MALM 6 drawer dresser in white from Ikea at just $149 couldn’t be a better bargain…the wood finish alternatives don’t quite have the simplicity that gives this piece its versatility and universal ability to blend quietly with a space.

Storm King

Spring on the east coast is probably one of my favorite things.  Last year at this time I was in New York and New Jersey from early April until the middle of June.  While there I visited an amazing 500 acre outdoor sculpture museum set in the rolling hills of Hudson Valley, New York about an hour north of Manhattan called Storm King Art Center.  It is truly a magical place worth visiting.

I won’t make it back east this spring, maybe over the summer if I am lucky, so I’ve been looking at old photos to satisfy the strong pull I feel to be east.

In the meantime if you aren’t able to make it to Storm King, here’s a link to their website and a few images from my visit…

AMAZING Outdoor Rooms !!!

With spring here and summer coming, it only seems right to post some pictures of amazing outdoor rooms and an inspiration room with tips that will help you to create your own amazing outdoor room.

I N S P I R A T I O N  R O O M

How to get this look…

The Belvedere Sofa from Restoration Hardware upholstered in…

this Lulu DK outdoor fabric

Throw pillows from Frontgate …

and Sunbrella

Natural ribbed area rug from Pottery Barn

Garden Stools from Wisteria

Wrought Iron Chair

Biscayne coffee table from Ethan Allen

Sunbrella outdoor drapes from Restoration Hardware

A  F E W  M O R E  A M A Z I N G  O U T D O O R  R O O M S

OBSESSION…

I was recently at the Beverly Hills Hotel and as I passed the iconic Fountain Coffee Shop on my way to the Polo Lounge for afternoon tea was again reminded of my longstanding love affair with the Hinson Martinique Wallpaper that graces the walls.  Whenever I bring this pattern up in a crowd, oohs and aahs erupt, as most people know and love this paper.

I dream of one day having a space where I can either use it in a living room or dining room I can’t make up my mind.  I think a large open space industrial loft would do as well, then I could have it all.  Here are some musings on how I would decorate around this iconic paper…

Martinique by Hinson in the Fountain Coffee Shop

L I V I N G  R O O M

Atollo Sofa by Poliform

Vintage Paul McCobb travertine topped side tables

Anneau Table Lamp from Baker

Hudson Furniture Coffee Table

Kalos Apta Chair by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia

Jean Prouve Cite Chair – one of my all time favorites!!!

Platner side table

Bul lamp from Ligne Rose

The incredibly affordable Ikea Stockholm Rand area rug

F L O O R I N G  O P T I O N S

Reclaimed wood floors stained a deep walnut laid in a herringbone pattern

I could just as easily go for a nice natural concrete floor, so you’ll have to choose your preference…

Just a reminder of the Banana Leaf yumminess…

D I N I N G  R O O M

Cherner dining chair

The Table  from B&B Italia

David Weeks AMAZING pendant through Ralph Pucci

Link Sideboard from Poliform

shower yourself…

For a week I’ve been working on this post that I am really excited about, this isn’t that post.  That post is about creating outdoor rooms and where to get the stuff to make them amazing.  It’s been a daunting task, basically shopping for 3-5 different rooms, it’s like a real interior design project…time consuming.

So today I post a few images I’ve been saving up.  I’ve been collecting images of luxurious showers for a while, not really sure where I wanted to go with the post, so here they are in all their glory for your viewing enjoyment and inspiration.