We Gave a Home Stager $100 — Here’s What They Bought at Pottery Barn

published Apr 3, 2024
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Bethesda, MD - December 30, 2017: A Pottery Barn store on Bethesda Avenue.
Credit: Nicole Glass Photography/Shutterstock

When I’m flipping through the latest Pottery Barn catalog, words like aspirational, chic, and  Instagram-ready come to mind, for sure. But a home stager just added another word to that list for me: affordable. The brand offers plenty of wallet-friendly gems that can still bring some of that PB polish to a space.

I asked interior designer and home stager Kate Breslin of Kate & Company Interior Design in Massachusetts to share how she would spend $100 at Pottery Barn, and she maximized her budget to select items that aren’t just pretty on their own, but can also be used to create lovely “moments” in a home. Whether you’re listing your home and trying to entice buyers or giving a room in your home a refresh, check out Breslin’s picks and get inspired.

1 / 3
Pottery Barn
$48.00
was $60.00

This gorgeous book would be a great addition to any home. "I love using books for styling," says Breslin. "This particular book not only looks great, but is also a nice read." When staging a home, Breslin loves to use books in a variety of ways. "Books grouped on a coffee table or console table are very on-trend," she says. "Another way to style a book would be to open it on a table, inviting someone to take a seat and see a glimpse of beautiful homes to find inspiration."

2 / 3
Pottery Barn
$18.99
was $39.50

"These just instantly make me smile," says Breslin. "They feel fresh and clean, and who doesn't love that?" Even better, these cuties are on clearance so you can get a set of six for under $20. Breslin has several ideas about how to use them: "They’d be great as a vase filler, but would also be super cute on a wood cutting board, in a wooden bowl, or as a little accent on a wood tray with a candle holder and candlesticks," she says. "Really, the possibilities are endless!"

3 / 3
Pottery Barn
$12.00

When is a mug more than just a vessel for your morning coffee? When it’s pretty enough to be used to pull together a stylish home vignette, which is what Breslin suggests doing with a pair of these. "I would purchase two mugs and pair them with a French press coffee pot," she says. "Two mugs sitting on a wooden cutting board or tray paired with the lemons also makes a great statement." These stoneware mugs can even work outside the kitchen: "I like to use coffee mugs with a book or magazine in a quiet sitting area," Breslin says. Any of these options will help make a property feel like a home.