apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'll do the craigslist version . . . . .

More of these please.
So interesting.

No kidding.

Yes, more please, and let's go even cheaper while we're at it.

i would also like to see more, and cheaper! i am having a hard time finding the perfect pendant for my entryway.

ditto -- love the high, low -- can we have a super-low too?

well i mean i have found a tons of pendant i love... i should say i'm having a hard time finding the perfect pendant in my price range of under $100! lol.

Can you make the next one's "low-budget" in the $1,500 range or lower?

$14,000 is ridiculous for one room unless that room is a kitchen -- I renovated a 2000sqft home (electrical, plumbing, furniture, flooring, appliances, countertops, etc etc) for less than $25,000. (I'm in St.Louis, so prices are cheaper here, but still.)

Metropolitan Home mag did a whole high/low edition, and it was really creative. Either way, it's usually to "high" for me- but what a great challenge for a designer!

PS. http://megankhomeowner.blogspot.com

Terrific! I actually like the more affordable one even better!

love this!!!

can we have more of these? and (just echoing what other people are saying) an ever lower low-budget one?


LOVE it.

yes, love these comparisons & would love to see super low as well!

Oh smegs where were you when I needed you so badly!

Yeah, I vote more high vs low budget posts, if they are available. :)

Holy cow, that's awesome!

Though we wouldn't buy either room soup to nuts...

I've never heard this expression before, but I rather like it!

As for the rooms, it's notable that the expensive room looks so much better than the cheap one. The level of finish on good designer pieces simply can't be replicated on budget stuff. I do agree, however, that using a few good pieces to anchor an interior narrows the gap considerably.

Swap out a few of the items in the less expensive version for much less expensive items.

Swap:
Metal floor mirror, $299, West Elm
for:
Hovet mirror, $99, IKEA (savings $200.00)
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50038213

Swap:
Nelson bubble lamps, $329 each, Machine Age
for:
Light kit, $9.99 each and Paper lantern shade $7.99-$12.99, World Market (savings at least $300.00 each):
http://www.worldmarket.com/family/index.jsp?view=all&categoryId=3499204

Swap:
Chandler table, $1,370, Mitchell Gold Bob Williams.
for:
ANY pedestal table, there are oodles of them.
Espresso color, $259.99 (savings $1,110)
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Maddox-Espresso-Dining-Table/3342709/product.html

Swap:
Round jute rug, $149, Pottery Barn
for:
Sisal round rug, $64.99 (savings $84)
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-woven-Khaki-Sisal-Wool-Rug-6-Round/2930132/product.html

Swap:
Pella coat stand, $230, Bowl & Board
for:
Adesso Marbles Chrome Coat Rack, $70 (savings $160)
http://www.homefurnitureandpatio.com/servlet/the-8733/MARBLES-COAT-RACK/Detail

Total savings so far: $2,154
Their inexpensive: $3,449
My inexpensive (without doing the rest): $1,295

You get to decide what you HAVE to have and what can be saved on. And exactly how MUCH saving or scrimping you can do. Some things will go on sale. Some things you may very well be able to pick locally at thrift stores, antique stores, via Craigslist. Like the terrarium type things or the bird or bird cage. Just look around:
http://www.outdoorlivingshowroom.com/products/view.aspx?family=369344

You can also go higher than the high, like with a Inuit stone carved bird:
http://www.bondandbowery.com/item/7097

You can mix in whatever you have, what you can afford, what you love. You can add on later. For instance, everyone should be able to handle the cost of the paper lantern. If it doesn't work in your space, a more costly round/ball item won't work any better.

You might love the look of the entry, but realize that the table, rug and tabletop items are purely decorative. The table isn't used for dining. Add up the cost of the entire grouping and see if you can afford that as a decorative object.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/books-guides-resources/one-entry-two-budgets-designing-high-low-blogging-boston-home-summer-2009-090522

Decorpad.com does this and it's very cool. They have both a "look for less space" which is 2 rooms with 2 very different costs and and "look for less items". I love them.

thank you, these are great, more high/lows please!

and um, #9, that's awesome that you took the time to find all that! (maybe AT should use #9 as a high/low blogging consultant LOL jk)

been meaning to say: #9, good to see you back on AT again! Always loved reading your comments before!

and yes, like everyone else, I too love the high/low posts!

I'd like to see a $500 or less version. It's not impossible.

Less than $500? I might take on that challenge. After I've collected enough used dental floss to weave the round rug myself. Hey! It's UPCYCLING!

Thank you, fineur, it's good to feel somewhat useful again.

Although I'm back to looking around my own apartment and saying "Good golly, what a bunch of crap I have!"

I'll stick with the IKEA Hovet mirror, $99:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50038213

Target American Simplicity table, $229.99:
http://www.target.com/American-Simplicity-Pedestal-Table-Walnut/dp/B000U6HZWU/qid=1248229568

24" ball paper light with metal ribbing, $5.60 each and their light kit, $6.99 each, $25.10 total:
http://www.filmtools.com/24whitchinla.html

Set of three decorative bird cages, $35:
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/birdcages4.html

Bell jar top (put IN the birdcage), $9.99:
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/belljars.html

Silver coat stand, $52.00:
http://www.everythingfurniture.com/coast-coat-rack-3.html

Round braided rug, World Market, $9.99:
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3557934

A director's chair (I ran out of money) in a similar to the wood color of the table, plus a cover, $16.99 chair, cover $8:
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3708702

Total...
$496.06

I didn't include cost of plants. And I didn't really find a bird I liked a lot. This was kind of cool at $19.99:
http://www.stealstreet.com/product_p/ss-7586.htm

Takes the edge of the cottage cutesy birdcages. Goes well enough with the black, brown, white, silver decor. Could also use eggs in one of the birdcages. Rather than a bird on the table.

One more tip...do web searches, explore, sometimes you find items you really want at MUCH less than you would pay in the store.

Lumens, a light site, has a blog that only lists returned open-box, new items. And yes, there was a Nelson Saucer bubble lamp available...

List Price: $435.00

Lumens Web Price: $329.00

Lumens Annex Price: $230.30

http://lumensannex.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/saucer-bubble-pendant-by-george-nelson-2/

Here's the main link:
http://lumensannex.wordpress.com/

Much of the stuff lower down (posted earlier) is sold...but some isn't. I'm not hanging the box, so it doesn't matter if the box was opened and the item not right for the first person. The box can have a run-in with a combine be graffiti-covered, as long as the contents are intact.

And that is another great way to get the look you want at a much better price. Floor samples, returns.

This is great! Although, how much would we save if we did some DIY? I saw a DIY for the DWR lamps...

Hopefully we'll see more like this! Thanks Andrée!