Thursday, April 29, 2010
Shop Like a Design Blogger: Pink Wallpaper
This week I'm thrilled to have Shannon from Pink Wallpaper guest blogging. Shannon's blog was one of the first design blogs that I started reading. She consistently delivers with some of the most beautiful, most inspiring (and under-the-radar) images in the design blogosphere. In addition to being a designer, Shannon is also currently running a successful e-business reselling some of her incredible collection of fabrics, wallpapers and even accessories over at The Designer's Attic. I love checking out her offerings on a daily basis. Last fall I purchased a gorgeous greek key floor lamp from Shannon that now sits in my living room (see HERE) and I'm still in love with it. And, on an unrelated note, be sure to head over to Sogni e Sorrisi today where I'll be guest blogging about my all-time favorite travel destination (do you think you can guess where that is?).
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.
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30 comments:
I LOVE this post - it's always so inspiring to see designers branching out from "to the trade" sources. Thanks, Shannon!
One of my favorite editions of this series thus far! Great tips and ideas...thanks! Janell
averill, you are TOO sweet! can't thank you enough for asking me to be a part of this (and for all of your emails helping me). it's fun to reflect on all of the "non glamorous" places i shop!! can't wait until this baby comes and i get out there again :) best, shannon
great post, and your post about London is fab too!!
Such a wonderful post! I love how you encourage the use of thrift shops and other stores off the beaten path! It makes your home that much more original.
She is a girl after my own heart. Love her blog so much and they don't come any nicer. She has style and I love that table she found @ Habitat.
What a great post! Thank you, Averill, for participating in my series as well.
Love that first "hands dirty" photo. That is something my husband would just love.
I love this post! wow, thank you for such great photos and ideas. Could I trouble you for the name of the place that monogrammed those bed linens? they are gorgeous! my email is anastasiaelizabeth@gmail.com. Love them!! Have a great day:)
This is such a great series - I particularly enjoyed this installment. Thanks for sharing!
That was one fantastic interview!!! Thank you so much for featuring Shannon, one of my very, very favorites!!
Great post. Glad I'm not the only one who likes to search through the junk looking for gems!
great post, and these are all places that i frequent often! i only wish my habitat had as good of stuff as hers does! fab interview.
Fabulous guest post!
Love these shopping suggestions!
xoxox,
CC
Averill you are a dream and such great finds, I would love a desk like yours!!
Karena
Art by Karena
Oh realized that I need to thank Shannon!!
Karena
Art by Karena
Great post, I must admit I shop the same way!
I couldn't imagine any other way :)
I love seeing what people find in these places in different parts of the country. I do think it takes a certain type of person who loves the thrill of the hunt and has lots of patience.
Love both your blogs :)
Thanks that was awesome! I've never heard of the Habitat for Humanity store. I'll have to check it out!
Another great roundup...feel like I am gaining a real great assortment of sources from these posts! Will check out her Attic as well!
i love this series! i hadn't thought of seeking out a local monogramming store to personalize generic linens... does this mean we can all get the leontine look for less? love that!
Averill what a great series love it..as i believe we all have our favorite hideaway places lvin the sharin..out there in the blogosphere..xoxosuzanne
I like the idea of buying designer linens at T. J. Maxx or Tuesday Mornings and personalizing them with a cool monogram. I love monograms too! Thanks for a great idea.
What a wonderful guest post! I completely agree about thrift shops and one of's...Your space instantly becomes unique, as so often there is a story or reason for bringing a specific item into your home. Thank you :)
This is so much fun! Where have I been?! I love this, !
This was a great post with so many terrific tips! I"m fairly new to Shannon's awesome blog and her decorator's attic. It is quickly becoming an addiction! And this behind the scenes shopping edition she put together is one of my favorites! (sort of wish I didn't have to follow it ;)
Marija
Great posting...
Would you mind recommending or listing your local monogram store? I'm the north east and it's hard to find one.
Thank you.
Shannon,
I just came back to blog world today! This is so great...and I seriously loved your inspiration article/moment about how and why you shop this way!
xo,
~Rebecca
As an employee of Habitat for Humanity International AND lover of interior design I would like to applaud you for featuring Habitat for Humanity ReStores as a place for great thrift shopping. They aren't as well known as other hot spots like Goodwill or Salvation Army, but I have found anything from fixtures, and glass knobs- to shabby window panes and other architectural salvage.
Great post!
Averill, I love seeing how your blog has grown. Each post gets better and better!!
This might be one of my favorites! I never knew there was a habitat for humanity store!
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