thanks so much averill for asking me to be a part of your fun series! i have loved reading them! so you want to know how i shop...well, to be frank, it's not all that glamorous ...i actually prefer to shop in places most people wouldn't think twice about. my take on design is that anyone can achieve a beautiful space no matter what your budget constraints maybe. you just have to know how to shop and how to spot "the find". and this is something i have a huge passion for...
1. habitat for humanity: i frequent these kind of donation places...you will be shocked at what turns up here. i bought an Oly DR table for my house for nothing close to what it retails for. i've found a glass front sub zero, viking stoves, hickory chair furniture, chesterfield sofas, thomas o'brien light fixtures...the list goes on and on.
2. craigslist: think of the items that you would like to add to your house and type them in weekly. my dream desk came from craigslist. i have wanted a chrome sawhorse desk for years and out of nowhere one appeared on it...and better yet it was vintage and pennies compared to the price it was going for on 1st dibs.
3. goodwill: this is where you are going to find the deals...but like everything else, you have to frequent it and you have to look past the junk that surrounds it. i found my vintage rattan swing here for $3.00...a dirty, plastic kitchen was lying on top of it!
4. thrift stores/ yard sales: where you will score killer deals on accessories for your home. i love finding odd ball objects and adding them in bookshelves or vignettes around the house. also, artwork...here's a chance to create a fabulous gallery wall w/ unknown oil paintings that go for $5-$10.
6. everyone has said it, but i'll second it- tj maxx, homegoods, tues. mornings: high end bedding is busting out of the seams at these places- peacock alley, designer's guild, ralph lauren...all of my sheets come from here. also great place for pairs of lamps, storage baskets for kid's toys, and books (i find tons of decorating books here).
7. local monogramming store: i'm southern and i monogram all of my bed shams. i do it BIG and make sure to use a unique monogram (stay away from generic ones and think outside the box). i like mixing color combos- chocolate brown looks killer w/any accent color....
8. anthropologie: love their hardware (great for bathroom cabinets), the accessories rock, their crewel rugs (i use the small ones in my kitchens and bathrooms), and the sale bins....i can always score something here!
9. urban electric: a to-the-trade company but if i am going to splurge, i want their lighting. local craftsmen from charleston make these killer lights. you will find anything from traditional gas lanterns to super chic lighting designed by your favorite "it" designer. and they will paint your light any BM color you would like!! if you haven't checked them out, you should.
10. to-the-trade fabrics and wallpaper: i cannot get enough of these (maybe that's why i started this). add a pop in small doses w/ pillows, on the backs of DR chairs, make roman shades, recover a X stool...wallpaper a powder room or the back of a bookcase. this gives the illusion of a high end space but doesn't hurt the wallet near as bad. my favorites are quadrille/ china seas, raoul textiles, lulu dk, cole & son, and schumacher.
so there you have it...if you want to read the post that changed the way i design, it was this from style court on ruthie sommers. from that day on, it was no longer about high end design for me, it was about being true to myself and showing how i can truly achieve great design no matter what price tag is placed in front of me.
Next Week's Guest Blogger: Marija from Holding Court.
