An LGN reader, Sarah, wrote me an email about how she shares my love for this room that was posted on Friday. Sarah just got a promotion (congrats!) and moved to a new apartment in San Fransisco. She has set aside a chunk of money to decorate her new bedroom. She asked me to help her copy the exact look and feel of this bedroom.
Sarah, I accept your challenge!
Here’s how to get the look for less.
THE RUG:
I think everyone knows this Moroccan tile rug. It was originally designed and produced by my favorite rug designer, Madeline Reinrib, then later knocked-off by Pottery Barn and West Elm. I prefer the West Elm version, which comes up for auction frequently on eBay. There is nothing up right now, other than this yellow version from Pottery Barn (although this one is nice because it’s more plush than the West Elm flatweave rug).
I would wait until you find the orange one from West Elm. It looks like this:
THE BED
Sarah already told me that she plans to save some money by making her own headboard to look just like this sleek, low, white one pictured above. Just a piece of plywood cut to size, layered with foam and batting, and covered with inexpensive white brushed-cotton fabric, stapled into place, et voila!
The white bedding with a blue stripe is classic and will be easy to copy. I like this sateen, triple-lined embroidered version from Overstock.
You’ll want a punch of yellow on your own bed like in their boudoir pillow.
This one will work, or you could find your own fabric and pillow insert.
There’s also this one from Anthropologie
A pair of dark-stained wood vintage side tables would look great flanking Sarah’s new bed. $50 for this pair.
THE CHAIR
The first option is to buy these completely stunning bergere chairs. The only change I would make to these is painting the dark wood white. And it’s a good thing that’s the only change, because this pair is on the pricey side for a Craig’s List find at $300 each. It’s definitely worth asking the seller to go down in price and/or to split up the pair.
I know the chair is a bit of a departure from the inspiration picture, with the blue zebra print rather than leather. BUT I am totally crazy about that print. I think it’s awesome.
Another option is buying these two beautiful chairs for a total of $50. Can’t beat that right? Vintage, down filled, and in great shape structurally…
While these bergeres are not the same exact shape as the barrel-backed chair in the inspiration photo, you could still get a very similar look by upholstering one (or both) using this amazing (and cheap) hide of blue patent leather. Don’t forget to paint out the wood a bright, glossy white.
FOR THE WALLS
I love this grass cloth wallpaper for about $18 a roll. Such great texture.
The abstract painting on the wall is beautiful.
The pop of bright colors is so fresh. Somehow it even looks a little girlie, although it’s not too sweet. If I were you, Sarah, I’d save some serious cash by tapping into my creative side and recreating my own version of this painting.
If your not feeling that adventurous, these eBay paintings are great and all are inexpensive.
abstract painting on eBay going for $50 right now.
This one’s a little pricier at $200. But I love it.
I like this one too.
This one might be my favorite though.
LIGHTING
If Sarah is willing to invest a little more in her lamps ($142.43 to be exact), I really think she should consider these GORGEOUS Art Deco antique lamps.
I love the water lilies, the cloth cord cover and the original bakelite plugs!! Heaven…
This vintage pair is probably the closer to the inspiration lamps both in look and scale. You’ll (obviously) need to invest in some new shades here, but it looks like this pair is going to go for a song. The current bid is $3.99. I love the octagonal bases. You can’t buy stuff like this at Target.
This pair of mirrors look so much like the mirrors in the inspiration room. $230 for a matching pair of large-scale antique repro mirrors is a good buy.
And lastly, Sarah needs a few ACCESSORIES to fill out the space:
This MCM genie phone
A stack of fashion and design books. This one is my fave.
Original charcoal drawings.
And make sure you pick up a bunch of the pink December peonies at Trader Joe’s to finish it all up.
Here’s the mood board:
Do you have a photo of a room that you absolutely love and want to copy? Email me and I’ll help you figure out how to get the look for less.
jkomenda {at} gmail.com
A-MAZING!!
I love that pillow you linked to on ebay — that seller has lots of great looking pillows. How do you find the sellers with a good collection of cool stuff on ebay? It’s easy to find pillows, but most are ugly or boring. Any other sellers that you recommend?
Lisa – Thanks!! I’m excited about our ideas for your downstairs! Can’t wait to get to the buying part after Christmas!
Zoe – I don’t really have specific sellers that I go to or even look for. I think I might do a post soon on how I do my searches on eBay and Craig’s List. Do you think that would be helpful?
Yes, I think an entire post about that would be great.
I have a couple people/stores on ebay that I’ve found have consistently good stuff, so I make them “favorites,” but not many.
I totally wish you could help me decorate our new house! It’s so bare, but I don’t know exactly what to do, and I don’t want to do anything until I have the right look. If you’re ever in Vegas, give me a call!
–kara noyes
Jenny, just saw this link in Grandinroad and thought of you and your love of the rug in this post. It's a pretty amazing price for a similar look (and it's an outdoor version, which I thought was awesome with kids)
http://www.grandinroad.com/jump.jsp?item=24567&maincatcode=null&subcatcode=null&itemID=20179&itemType=PRODUCT&outlet=1&path=1%2C2%2C172%2C2221&iProductID=20179
Love your blog by the way. It's an absolute daily read. Pretty amazing what you put together.