Category: decorating

I have never decorated, flipped or remodeled for a client(s) who has not placed a budget in play.

Same goes for the projects we do here at Places In The Home.

An extra penny here and an extra dime there adds up to budget busting dollars.

Cost is the four letter word I hear most from project start to finish.

If you believe that I’ve got a Louisiana bayou to sell you.

All kidding aside- it is a known fact that for most of us the price tag heavily factors into the decorating we do, the decorative accessories we select, and the home decor accents we purchase in the pursuit of prettying things up around the house.

When the desired outcome is the look of luxe but the moolah to advance full sticker price ahead is not in the cards, these tips for adding a luxe look for little money do the trick.

Table Lamps

I love, love, love the instant chic factor a decorative table lamp lends to the ambiance of a space.

Finding luxe look for little money table lamps is a home decor store or online retailer visit away.

I always suggest selecting a table lamp rich in classic style, one that will stand the test of time and trend.

Do not buy into the fallacy that an inexpensive item will invariably look cheap or a quality appearance can only be achieved by spending big bucks.

Optical Illusions

Installing curtain and drapery hardware at the ceiling or molding line creates a visual illusion of height.

Take the luxe look for little money concept to the next phase with inexpensive drapery trims and decorative drapery medallion holdbacks found on sale or clearance.

Wallpaper Lined Drawers, Shelves & Bookcase Backs 

Okay, you’ve selected a killer designer paint color for the exterior of a fabulous 3-drawer chest, linen armoire or bookcase.

What about the drawers, shelves and bookcase backs?

Add a luxe look for little money to drawers, shelves and bookcases by lining with wallpaper.

The discounted, discontinued and closeouts section of online wallpaper sites and home decorating stores is a decoristas best friend.

I recently lucked up on a wallpaper clearance sale, and two double rolls for under $10 later a drawer lining plain to polished project produced the decorative oomph.

Lined drawers, shelves and bookcase backs offer up a stylish follow-through.

It’s all in the details.

ABCs of Affordable Accessorizing:
Art & Antiques, Bric-a-Brac, Conversation Pieces

It’s not how much an accessory cost but the look it affords.

An inexpensive piece of art, antique accessory, bric-a-brac or whimsical objet d’art piece can easily offer a luxe look when dramatically displayed.

A good eye paired with decorating determination will invariably spot a diamond in the rough.

To guarantee a luxe look result, place a piece above, atop or beside an ebony console or chair.

The color black is classically timeless, adds drama to the spaces it graces, and is considered a premier foundation and/or accent color in interior decorating.

Traditional Home Southern Style Showhouse Family Room by Lance Jackson and David Ecton, Parker Kennedy

When I was in the initial buying stages for Hopefully Classic Antiques and Interiors, a local flea market dealer invited me to stop by to shop her inventory.

I did, and the first item I spotted was a small framed oil painting.

The subject of the painting slips my mind, but the frame was the diamond in the rough.

I could not believe how little the dealer was asking for the piece.

Maybe I need to add the words “or how little” to it’s not how much an accessory cost but the look it affords.

Dave the Builder panned the painting and the frame, but I knew it had the potential to be a beauty.

I scooped up the painting, and with a simple cleanup and quick application of matte spray paint proudly added it to the inventory, displaying the piece in a dramatic focal point feature.

The painting sold within one day of being at the shop.

Fresh Flowers

Fresh flowers drench a space in color, fill it with fragrance and enhance the surroundings with pervasive beauty.

 Veranda

Gather ye your Mason jars, dollar store containers, crystal goblets, Chinoiserie (SHēnˌwäz(ə)ˈrē) vases (since we’re talking luxe let’s pronounce it vahz, darling), watering cans, vintage crocks and antique teapots and fill them with blooms, stems, vines and/or branches from the garden, field, florist or local grocery flower department.

Sage & Co.

Adding a luxe look for little money is a high-end priority for the decorating within budget minded.

The only thing expensive is the look.

Sourcing and sightings of home decor accents is all in a day’s work and I love it!

When I started Places In The Home my objective was simple: to design an all things house that make a home show and tell, a sharing collective of knowledge and experience of interior decorating, home furnishings, decorative accents, home decor where to finds and gotta have it lists.

Four years later, I continue to be excited and inspired to show and tell you about items currently catching my eye.

Serena and Lily via Domino

The Riviera stool from Serena and Lily is currently catching my eye in a big way.

Great choice for a statement piece desk chair.

Duneier Design via DecorPad

The lines, pattern and form of the Riviera stool delivers style at work and style at home.

J. R. Watkins Coconut Room Freshener smells like summer at the beach.

A spritz or two of this tropical delight coconut scented room freshener is all it takes to infuse the space with a light coconut scent so refreshing you’ll be inclined to light the Tiki torches, turn up the calypso music and whip up a blender full of Piña Coladas.

I am coconuts for this stuff!

Seaside-inspired and stylish storage approved.

I am “digging” this Conch Magazine Basket from Birch Lane.

Glitter Guide

D I Why yes, I can do this!

Three or four drawer chests are just a thrift store, flea market or curbside boutique visit away.

 For the retail fortunate, check out your nearest IKEA and the Rast 3 drawer chest.  At $34.99 + tax  it’s a bargain.

For the rest of us, I say add this baby into your online shopping cart and justify the shipping cost with my logic.

I couldn’t drive to Houston (closet IKEA) for $10 (the shipping cost).

Makes cent$.

Decorative hardware dresses the look, and a couple of coats of black paint adds the essential touch of drama.

Now comes the disclosure portion of this post.

Disclosure: As it in life and disclosure policy compliance with FTC rules, honesty is the best policy. This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the product links and make a purchase from the retailer, I receive a commission from the sale. To read the entire policy in full (fun, fun) please read my disclosure page.

Blue and white porcelain is classic chic.

Eye spy these Tang blue and white salt and pepper shakers as a summer soiree hostess gift idea.

Pier 1

May I suggest for your summer reading pleasure.

Currently Catching My Eye