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How to Mix the High and Low in Your Home Decor

A room need not be filled with high-end furnishings, expensive art, and fine antiques. A room tells a far more interesting story when it’s an engaging mix of both splurge items and affordable finds. My husband and I started collecting antiques when we were in college.  Now that we are in our 60’s we have a nice collection.  However, we did not start collecting “real art” until a few years ago.  Many of our accessories are not fine antiques.  I source flea markets, ebay, and junk shops for many of my finds. We recently updated our “way too large” master by working with what we had, shopping our house, and by sourcing etsy, ebay, flea markets, and junk shops.

We have lived in our Monterey Style Colonial for over 30 years.  Our master is way too large, to be honest.  We built our house when we were young in stages so we could afford it.  This room was part of phase II which covers the entire garage. The room looked like a bowling alley for years because we couldn’t afford the furniture.  We gradually furnished it and did the best we could afford with the decor.

Here is what it looked like before the recent update.  The floors were that pumpkin pine color that was so popular back in the 80’s. The walls were colorcoated.

We never liked our ceilings.  A few years ago we added another layer of color (and knifed it off) giving the ceilings a richer more layered look. We still don’t “love” them but we aren’t up to tackling that project again.  A few years back we also redid the floors in a dark stain (not very practical but I love them)  the color coated walls we left as is for now.

I added curtain panels by Yvonne from Soft Accents on either side of the bed to warm things up. The curtains would be a splurge item but I used a really inexpensive linen that coordinated with a bed skirt that was a cast off from another client. The curtains are lined with the same inexpensive ticking stripe that is on the chairs in one of the following photos. The rods are the Pottery Barn Iron Essential Rod and Wall Bracket .  They are an inexpensive alternative with a nice clean profile.  The side tables are antique.  One is a wonderful antique (found many years ago in Savannah) the other not so much.

The quilt on the bed was changed out to one of my favorites, the Pottery Barn Belgian Flax Linen Floral Stitch Quilt. I cannot tell you how many times I have used this quilt in client’s bedrooms.  It looks fabulous, washes beautifully, is tough as nails, and has a much better price point than others not nearly as nice. It is also on sale right now.  The monogrammed pillows are from Trish from Cottage by Design. These were a splurge but well worth it. The large bolster pillow was made by Soft Accents as well. The fabric is Brunschwig & Fils le zebre .  Thankfully I only needed one yard.  It is definitely a splurge item.

On the adjacent wall is a beautiful American Kas (owned for 25 years) in original blue paint  (a gift from Steve’s generous brother and sister-in-law years ago for building their house).  Next to the Kas, I switched out the pet pics (moved them elsewhere in the room) with the Mexican iron sconces that were on either side of the bed before the curtains were there.  I didn’t change a single piece of furniture other than the Parsons chair on the right slipcovered in an indoor-outdoor fabric found on Ebay.  You can read my post about the transformation of this chair in my post “Project Design Exceptionally Clever Chair Makeovers”.   The chair was hideous!

My husband did not want to repaint the walls (maybe later), so I opted to deflect the attention from the “yellow based” wall color by recovering all the furniture and bedding in a very neutral bisque color.  The fabric for these chairs was found on Etsy. It was a very inexpensive $10.99 a yard ticking stripe. My fabulous slipcover artist Katie Baker did the slips.  You can read more about them in the above post as well. I purchased the windsor smith fabric for the pillows as a scrap on Etsy.

Here is a shot of the sitting area at the other end of the room before. The old blue shuttered doors house our tv. They were an inexpensive find at Crawford’s Antiques in Soquel (a great source for antiques at good prices) when we were building our house.

Notice the odd space to the left of the fireplace.  I never could quite get that right.  I finally dragged in a bench (that I had out on my balcony) and placed it there. Always shop your own home before buying something new.  It is amazing sometimes how moving a piece to a different room, or repurposing it can change the overall look.   I had Yvonne make a cute cushion in the same stripe fabric (yes I bought tons!) and added my favorite small flange detail.  The kilim pillows came from Etsy and the blue and white polka dot are Jane Churchill Soleo with a jute flange. This fabric was a splurge but I only needed a yard and a half.

Here is another old shot of the sitting area.  Note no functional coffee table.

Here is the updated version.  This photo was taken by Patrick Tregenza for a local magazine. The rug is from Home Depot.  This rug comes in many sizes. I have one under my bed (hadn’t arrived before photos were taken) and in my family room.  It is a major bargain. It won’t  last forever but if you have a dog like Beau it may not last regardless! Notice how the lighter neutral fabrics made the room seem more updated without changing the furniture or even the wall color. I did a post for Project Design “How to Style Your Spring Mantel Two Ways” if you would like to see the before and after of the mantel.

I removed the doors from the Antique Cupboard (also a find from Crawford Antiques many years ago) and filled it with white and blue to soften the look. All of the items I already owned or were found inexpensively at a junk shop.  Don’t be afraid to mix the fine with the not so fine. The chair was recovered (front only to save money) in Peter Dunham’s Rajmata Paisley. This chair I found years ago at a junk shop.  The back is covered in the same indoor outdoor sunbrella fabric (also found on Ebay), as is the sofa and chair in a half (also known as Beau’s chair).The little seagrass table is from Wayfair. You can see the before and after of this chair on the post for Project Design, Exceptionally Clever Chair Makeovers. The painting above the chair Steve brought back from Pennsylvania many years ago while visiting his brother.

The chicken on the top shelf was Steve’s mom’s who passed away.  The oyster shell pot a junk shop find.  On the next shelf is a crock we have owned for years found at a flea market in the midwest.  The two wood tools, found on an Eastern junket are nice antiques. The white newel knockoffs (from PB a few years ago) are flanking two antique pantry boxes. On the bottom shelf is an oyster shell ball found at TJ Maxx and two reproduction pottery pieces.

The Lee Industries loveseat is slipcovered with the Ebay sunbrella canvas by Katie Baker. We have owned that loveseat for over 20 years. Buy a simple style that won’t become dated in a year. The vintage kilim pillows are from Etsy.  The luster velvet pillows in back are from West Elm (supercheap on sale ). The other two rajmata from Peter Dunham. The American Hutch table we have had forever.  The Courtney Ceramic table lamp is another of my go tos from Pottery Barn. It is on sale right now as well.  I have used that lamp in every color and size imaginable on multiple projects. The mirror came from Ballard Designs several years ago.  It was above the fireplace previously.  The antique egg prints came from Ebay and were matted and placed in frames I already had. The coffee table is from Dovetail. The water hyacinth tray is from Pottery Barn.  This is another repeat offender in my designs.

I am still hoping to sell the house in a few years but we don’t want it to look like “grandpa and grandma live here” . If you want a collected layered  look; collect things you love, a few antiques for character and history,  buy “real” art when you can afford it, don’t be afraid to mix the high and the low, and always shop your own house before you buy.  None of these things need to cost a fortune. If you like a more modern look, infuse your decor with some vintage items that will not “go out of style”.  All metal and plastic can be harsh and cold.  Texture and patina add warmth.  The best rooms have a “balance of both”.  Happy Decorating!!

 

 

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Cindy says

      It is natural Carol a great neutral that goes with almost everything! Email me anytime if you don’t get a response. Sometimes I am busy with my “real job”

  1. Carla Aston says

    Wow, Cindy! Love, love, love your changes! The bench is perfect over by the fireplace and I really like your darker floors too. Love the sconces beside the armoire….it all looks magazine cover ready!

    • Cindy says

      Thanks Carla. I appreciate that coming from a pro like you. I can’t tell you how many times your designs have inspired me.

  2. Marsha says

    Ahhh, Cindy, I love your design ethic. Everything you do appeals to me so much. And, brilliant job to take those doors off. What a HUGE difference it makes to that space. Your blog and home page are divine.

  3. Katie Baker says

    I love how taking the doors off the cupboard made such a difference! The room looks great. Such good tips! Thanks.

  4. cheri says

    Just lovely Cindy. We sold our Spanish Colonial (with a side of French) just last year and are now splitting our time between Bend, Oregon and Grover Beach, CA. I was able to furnish both places from our Paso home. We spent a considerable amount of time building our Paso home and only stayed for 2 years because it ended up being too big for two and way too much work outside, especially in the sweltering heat. Your style is so inspiring, what a calming space.
    Cheri

    • Cindy says

      Hi Cheri

      That is the exact problem we have. Too much to care for! If I can only convince my husband of this during my lifetime! I love my home, but have to be practical as we head into retirement! How do you like Grover Beach? Fondly, Cindy

  5. home before dark says

    You continue to create warm, inviting havens that are approachable. Grandma and grandpa you may be, but grandma and grandpa taste you have not. Your house will sell in a heart beat. My late MIL always advised, “Educate your eye up and find your budget on the way down.” I have always thought that being tethered by a budget as a way to force creativity and to force you to determine where you really want to splurge, purge and keep looking!

    • Cindy says

      Such sage advice Pat. As I said we have collected since college, buying and selling to update our collection. Now we just need to purge! I always love reading your comments. I hope we can meet one day!

  6. Celia Becker @ www.AfterOrangeCounty.com says

    You weren’t kidding when you said you had a large Master Bedroom. However, as always you have managed to decorate every inch of it to perfection. Thank you for your generosity in sharing your sources, something I appreciate very much, as I’m always shopping for one project or another. Besides working on designing my next fixer-upper, like you I’ve decided to start redecorating my own home. It’s been 13 years since we built our Spanish style home, and while I tried to decorate it with timeless pieces, my tastes have changed a little and some rooms are in need of a fresh coat of paint, etc. My son’s getting married in our home this coming September so I have a good excuse to make some changes in time for the wedding. Thanks for some great inspiration! Wishing you a very happy New Year.

    • Cindy says

      I hear you Celia! The bad thing about having a large home is that any little update involves a small fortune! Looking forward to seeing your next fixer upper!

  7. Karen B. says

    Cindy,
    What a lovely transformation. I appreciate your practical way of design and I love your style. The room is inviting and looks very ‘today’ without looking too matchy-matchy. 🙂
    xo,
    Karen
    P.S. Sincere sympathy to you and your family for the loss of your father.

    • Cindy says

      Thanks so much Karen. I am always lazy about posting any updates I do to my own home. I know people enjoy it (thanks for the reminder Mary Ann!). I need to be more vigilant!
      Cindy

  8. Our French Oasis says

    I agree, so lovely, your taste is fabulous. I love how you removed the doors from the corner cupboard, it really has made all the difference. I also love the details, the ticking striped lining of the curtains and the antique tables on either side of the bed. With the seating area as a bonus, I too would find it hard to leave!!

    • Cindy says

      Thank you so much for the kind words Susan. I adore your home as well. I think we have a very similar aesthetic.

  9. classic casual home says

    So lovely…you have the BEST taste. Your bed linens and curtains are gorgeous. I love how the painting that Steve brought back looks next to the blue in the back of the cupboard. It’s great that you inject some fine fabrics in there, too. I think I would never leave this room!
    Mary Ann

    • Cindy says

      Thanks so much Pal! I know I love how that painting just works in that spot as well. It doesn’t hurt having that gorgeous Peter Dunham fabric on the chair!!

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