Budget Chic

I recently caught up over the telephone with a girlfriend in San Francisco who is relocating in a few weeks for law school.  She has a two bedroom apartment lined up in Portland, Oregon, but having just moved back from London (where she studied at LSE…such a smarty), she has very little to put in the new place!  Well, this got me thinking—what are some stylish, budget friendly furnishings on the market today?  I rounded up a few of my favorites in the collage above.  Let’s call it the “Living Room.”  Details below!

 

I began with this IKEA sofa, the KARLSTAD with a long cover.  At $399 the price is certainly hard to beat!  I love the clean lines and chose white because it’s not only fresh and bright, but also allows one to begin with a blank canvas.  A chic throw (Williams Sonoma’s cashmere throws are often on sale) and some fun patterned throw pillows add a splash of color.

 

This gorgeous Canakkale pillow from Anthropologie is quite large (36″ x 36″) and would look super chic in a casual pile on the floor.  Speaking of the floor, I envisioned a natural fiber rug with this room.  Cost Plus World Market, IKEA and West Elm all have great options of jute, seagrass and sisal rugs.  Back to the pillow—I love the bright colors and the Eastern influence of the crewelwork.  At $128 it’s not cheap, but sure beats the cost of custom pillows and would make quite the statement.

 

This vintage inspired “Mod Round Velvet Pillow“ was found on Urban Outfitters website.  At $48 a pair they are definitely a bargain.  Plus cotton velvet is nice and comfy.

 

Continuing with the yellow accents is this country chic embroidered pillow from Pottery Barn.  The cover itself is $39 and the 20″ x 20″ down-blend insert is only an additional $16.  The dull yellow on the mod pillow above and the yellow details of the floor pillow all pull from a similar palette.

 

Dorothy Draper once said, “I’ll always throw in one controversial item, it makes people talk.”  Well, the horns on this mirror by Ballard Designs are cast resin so while they shouldn’t cause too much controversy, they do serve to add a bit of intrigue.  At $229 it’s not a flea market bargain, but is a great buy for the visual impact.  Hung above the sofa it would create a unique, rustic-gone-glamourous focal point.

 

A Google search for a “ceramic garden stool” lead me to this orangey-pink find on Overstock.com.  At $149 it’s half the usual price and while it doesn’t look to be of the finest quality, it would add a pop of much needed color next to the sofa.  They are are a great place to rest one’s cocktail!

 

To inject the room with a bit of glamour I found this Scalloped Mercury Glass Table Lamp from Ballard Designs.  At $219 it’s a reasonable price and seems to be of good quality thanks to its polished nickel fittings, sleek parchment shade and full range dimmer.

 

This Colorful French Accent Chair is currently on sale for $244 at Wisteria.  The carved oak frame goes with the rustic feel of the horn mirror while the brightly upholstered seat compliments the color of the garden stool and floor pillow.  I love when reproduction pieces are infused with a contemporary twist!

 

I have a minor obsession with this Rattan Pouf from Urban Outfitters.  I love the texture and warm tones of the rattan and for only $88, why not?

 

Last but not least I threw in these Floral Whimsy curtain panels from Urban Outfitters.  It loved the vintage pattern and am a big fan of sheer draperies that allow for some light.  At $34 for an 84″ panel they certainly give you bang for your buck.