apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Buy one in a thrift shop abd hand paint it or decoupage it.

Inlay is a beautiful, and difficult art. But, you can get a similar look if you took an existing cabinet, paint it chocolate brown, and stencil it.

Stenciling will give you the crisp definition of an inlaid shape. You can use a few different creams/whites/light grays, mixed with some pearlized paints to give a feel of the subtle variations of mother of pearl inlay.

I've seen similar pieces on eBay...

I think if you try to do faux inlay, it's just not going to look right. $599 is a pretty good price for this technique.

it really depends on if you like the inlay or just the look of it. if you love the inlay aspect, it is going to be more expensive I would guess. if you love the look, just paint furniture to get what you are after. there are a ton of stencil places online

I'd get a thrifted piece, and cover it with decorative paper, like this project:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/flickr-finds/sf-flickr-finds-noodylicious-dresser-050295

Sort of a similar look, and much cheaper.

If you live in New York, go to Jackson Heights in Queens. That cabinet has an Indian flavor to it. There are a couple of fun shops there that sell Indian furniture. I bet you could find something similar. Plus there are some fantastic sari shops!
http://queens.about.com/od/neighborhoods/p/jacksonheights.htm

I remembered there was a similar one at Wisteria.com and checked it out - http://www.wisteria.com/prodinfo.asp?number=W1875 - it's $2,999! Makes the PB one look like a total bargain.

Well, I also suggest decoupage, or maybe even stickers, applied to a thrift shop piece then polyurethaned, if you need to go budget.

Or check Craigslist or thrift shops, although it would be a lucky chance to find something that way.

But, homebody -- sari shops??? (I hate living in the boonies sometimes!) Any concept of what saris sell for there? We have one little specialty shop and they only sell the expensive variety for the local Indian population, nothing lower in cost for decor...

There are new Decor Elements from Stampin' Up (www.stampinup.com) designed to create a similar look that will be available through their website beginning 1/19 that you might check out. I saw a preview of them and they're really cool.

If you adore the style, don't try to imitate it with paper, paint or decals, just invest in the real thing. But this piece is so intricately decorated, think a while first ... you may decide it's not something you would enjoy living with over the long term.

that bowl on the top looks like it's full of mould spores.

eww.

Beyond its beauty there's a reason why it's so "expensive" - inlay work requires a lot of time and skill. Even at 3rd World pay rates that's going to cost money, which must then be passed on to the consumer.