Great post :) I like to see the high and low end versions (even if the stuff in the post isn't my thing). It shows that you can get the same or very similar look on a budget, but also allows you to mix and match the different price points and have the same feel. Some items are worth spending more money on and some aren't.

I'd like to see more of these posts!

I agree with Stream13. This isn't really my style, but it's fun to see the comparisons! (though I could probably rock either of those side tables...)
More of these!

I agree, I always see posts about things that are hundreds of dollars, when in reality most of us are looking to add to/change an aspect of a room on the (very) cheap

"Stratosphere" at $2.078?

I think the high/low comparisons are a great idea for a regular AT post! I would love to see more of this, so people can see that great decorating and design isn't all about having a huge budget. :)

@patrick (the other one) - honestly, it IS in the stratosphere for some of us. It might as well be $20, 780 for me.

Ok Let's be realistic here. Just those things for over $2k, are we serious here? I better be able to purchase everything for that price or very close to for $2k-$2500. Including the Bed, Major pieces of furniture etc. Who is going to in this economy be that wasteful?

For myself, each room is very carefully planned, analyzed and laid out to the point of OCD. A lot of us want something simple, stylish and something that we can live with and not regret the purchase at the turn of another credit card bill that we will end up paying up to 3x more for WHAT? Something really simple that honestly we could have made ourselves.

Apartment therapy, by no means am I trying to be insulting. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE your blog for the ideas of inspiration that you bring to us. But please do your homework and be realistic in your posts because most people are NEVER going to spend the kind of money you are thinking of for what really seems like accessories. I want to see a whole room for under 2k. Make it as interesting as everything you post about. I look forward to seeing your inspiration shine through !!!

@MidniteSunLtd - howdy! I agree, $2K is a significant chunk of change for some, which is why I included the second, less expensive, version for $555. If you like this look, you should be able to do a room for well under $2K, including whichever additional furniture you choose. Hope that makes sense - and thanks for all your comments!

@MidniteSunLtd, that's why the "low" portion of this post exists - for people who are on a tighter budget and don't want to be "wasteful." But some people do have the extra money, or want to pretend like they do when reading design blogs, so it's fun to see the similar high end stuff. AT isn't asking you to buy anything. If you like simple, stylish, and DIY, then 95% of the rest of AT's posts apply to you.

While $550 is still a lot of money, honestly that's the going rate of textiles and furnishings these days. I'm currently in the process of redecorating my own bedroom, and am finding it nearly impossible to find anything I need for less than my first born child. I've been perusing "budget-friendly" stores such as Target and HomeGoods and am striking out on anything that doesn't make my checkbook cringe. I've been keeping my eye on Craigslist as well. Gone are the days of $10 finds. I don't think it's possible to do a floor-to-ceiling bedroom remodel for less than $2,000. That would be a nice challenge to see AT tackle! Perhaps instead of catering to the extremely wealthy and upper-middle class budgets, we could see a post for those of us struggling to live paycheck to paycheck but don't want our design style to show it. Please? :)

Hmmm...any thoughts on where to get a headboard like that that's actually available? Target is sold out, and it was just what I was looking for! I've had a DIY on my list for ...many months and it's time to admit it ain't gonna happen.

Also, real art nude for bedroom can be gotten at your local art school holiday sale for even less than $202, I bet - I would happily have sold one for cheap back in art school. ;)

Rock on meghanjoan! I could spend $2k on the goods in the first half of the post, but wouldn't even dare pay $555 for either the top or bottom goods. While I think this is a fun column and Dabney did a great job on it, I would love to challenge AT to come up with a series of mood board room redo's on a shoestring budget. So often the examples we see on blogs of super shoestring are not the classiest. AT has got a good eye, smart aesthetic. Let's see how they can inspire those of us who are either living paycheck to paycheck or are saving their money because it is a smart thing to do.

I think the second option is great and I agree that 2K for design is a little high. My suggestion for the art though would be check out Etsy. Lots of lovely art that you can frame yourself.

This is sooo great. please do more of these!

This is sooo great. please do more of these!

love this column. We individuals can't speak for what "most people" see as what is described as unrealistic or wasteful-that's pretty judgmental in my opinion. I see nothing wrong with a comparison of a 2K room and and 500 dollar room..one can look at the entire look- or just one piece, etc.

Love this feature! PLEASE do more of these!!

love this. on the cheap is doable, but very hard to replicate, which is one of the reasons AT sources materials and prices. plus the time factor of 'on the cheap' is immense i did a [small] kitchen for $1500 - thank you craigslist - but i was unemployed and spent hundreds of hours looking for and installing finds

I have seen pegboard used on Pinterest as pre-drilled backing for a tufted headboard. This is an especially brilliant idea for folks who don't own drills or space to drill/craft a plywood back.

I also have to add that realistically speaking, the total estimate of $555 would only apply if you purchased just one roll of wallpaper. That's not even enough to cover one wall. A standard double roll of wallpaper covers 56 sq feet. If you were to do just one 12' wall x 8' high, you'd need at least 2 rolls of paper. You have to allow extra to line up the pattern as well. So you're actually looking at an estimate closer to $600 and that's just to paper one wall. An entire room at $40 per roll can get quite pricey, so the total estimate for the "low" budget could potentially reach close to $850 if you planned on papering an entire average sized 12'x12' room. :)

The AT readers have asked every single time they do one of these things, which is sporadically at best, that this become a regular feature. I hope the team listens eventually!

That said, I actually had to do a triple take because the items are so close to each other. Well done!

Oh for heavens sake everyone - it's a bit of fun. Clearly there are some people out there that have the money to spend 18k on a rug, otherwise no-one would be selling a rug for 18k. What's fun is when you find something that is basically the same for a fraction of the price, basically all the fashion magazines run identical features.

Maybe to satisfy all the kill joys three boards could be produced - one that's luxe, one that's identical to the luxe but cheaper and one that's shoestring but accepts you can't be *completely* similar at a lower budget.

I love everything from the cheaper version, and if I hadn't just committed to a dark gray bedroom, I'd be so tempted to replicate this! Strange that the headboard from Target looks to be higher quality than the one from PB Teen, though.

And to the people who are complaining that $555 is too high: you're getting a headboard, duvet set, bedside table, art, a throw pillow, and wallpaper- if you want to go any cheaper and still have it look good, you would need to hit up IKEA or DIY, as Dabney suggests.

@ apartmentzombie

Joss & Main almost always features retailers that carry upholstered headboards, often with coordinating upholstered benches (some with great storage). Many are elaborate and expensive, but others are in the $200 range. This listing has one that is $145 and a couple of faux leather ones that are less than $70.

https://www.jossandmain.com/Mills-%26-Montgomery~E3227.html?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=&utm_campaign=

You have to sign up for J&M's daily E-mails and check the listings regularly because the best things sell out fast. But the work has been worth it for me. I've been very happy with the things I've purchased from the company. If you're buying furniture that would be expensive to ship, they have a flat price that includes all shipping for a month.

They have LOTS of rugs, decor pillows, storage items, and lighting, in addition to furniture.

Can everyone please, please please stop complaining. seriously. Plenty of fashion magazines do expensive-cheap comparisons all the time, putting a $60 dress from a chain store dress next to similar-looking 6k dress for inspiration, why can't you all realise that this is the same thing?

I like these concepts and people quibbling over the price points are missing THE point: if you fall in love withi a design, you can replicate it at any number of price points, with varying levels of quality. This is about not giving up on style just because your budget is minimal. It doesn't matter whether the editor made the choices for the same spend you would or not.

I Love clothes. And shoes. And bags. And accessories. I rip pages out of magazines, deconstruct what I like about the outfit, and then shop my closet or fav retailers.

The thing that is HARD is doing the designy thing on your own, not shopping for knock-offs. If you get yourself married to the specific thing and not the concept, you'll frustrate yourself. That's why retailers like West Elm for example, are great -- can't afford that high end shag rug with the zigzag? West elm as one for a fraction. Or go to ikea, get a flat weave, and paint your own zig zag.

My big thing is quality, and I have a hard time with compromising on it. Bags and shoes are worth the investment for me, and I'll spend less on clothes, but I won't buy cheap clothes or sew what i want. Same applies at home. Bath towels are worth it, rug in bath not so much. We pick and choose. The point of the post is that there are nice looking things everywhere....decide which ones are your candy and can be had cheap. Can't do wallpaper? How about a stencil? Or a fabric wall? Maybe put the paper In a bookcase, rather than the whole room, and paint the rest a complimentary color for that POW.

Yes, yes! I will echo the sentiments of the other commenters- I'd love to see this become a regular feature.

I enjoy this format. Even the more expensive one isn't that bad when you consider that $800 is for an art piece and that's even more subjective to taste than the other components. The Foundry table... cheaper version seems more practical, since the top doesn't look level and things could slide off.

All of this honestly I could make myself - that is why such the gasp if you will. I realize there are essentially 3 price points from ridiculous to mildly ridiculous to cheap (kinda). For the items listen above even $500 + is still ridiculous for what they are. The art is easy the floral pattern can pretty much be found in most fabric stores, The table would be the only thing really to be searched for unless you have a good friend that does carpentry work. The headboard can be made very easily. The pillow - you can pick up simple muslin fabric - bleached muslin btw and do some brush strokes on the fabric - set it (there are lots of instructions on how to online) and voila you have a copy cat piece. The duvet set is even simple enough to make at home. I hope my comments were not taken out of context. I truly enjoy this blog very much. I just hate to see people waste money on such petty things is all. There is always a better way even if sometimes we want or can indulge in the nicer things. Anyway something to ponder on. That's all :)