Staging The District

Cool Coffee Table Vignettes

Staging, and for that matter, much of everything design-related, is all about the details.  Whether it’s a table-scape, desktop, or countertop, the right accessories can really make or break the look and feel of a room.   So today I explore coffee tables…

Now, if you’re anything like me, your coffee table is the place where dinner and drinks rest comfortably, but not much else.  Okay, technically I do keep a stack of magazines and, when entertaining, a tall vase of white gladiolas on my West Elm coffee table, but I still think it could be spiced up a little!

So to inspire both myself, as well as anyone else who hopes that this or her coffee table can do more than function as a foot stool and secondary dinner table, here are some clever, simple ways to create a stunning coffee table vignette.

1) Sets of three: Unify sets of objects by color in order to create a cohesive theme.

Photo: www.globalviews.com

2) Trays: Use trays to create a collection of items and add life with splashes of botanical.

 

Photo: Pottery Barn

3) Varying Heights: Try using items of different heights and scales to create contrast and structure.

 

Photo: Overstock.com

4) Repetitive themes: Use one item or object in repetition to create a collective focal point.

*As a side note, there are more apples on this table than I've eaten over the course of my entire life...unless we're counting apple martinis...

Photo: Pottery Barn

5) Minimalist approach: Keep things simple with a neutral bowl and a small assortment of decorative balls.

Photo: Restoration Hardware

6) Floral Frivolity:  Pair a monochromatic floral arrangement with a few well-appointed books and a conversation piece to create a more formal setting.

Photo: Williams Sonoma Home

And most importantly, don't forget to leave plenty of room for actually using the surface of your table!  After all, how else are you going to combine design with dinner, drinks, and HGTV-viewing?

Splurge or Save: Arm Chairs

I like nice things…unfortunately, as a grad student and self-employed design freak, I can’t actually afford most of those nice things…

I have my ways though…as a single lady for example, men are a particularly useful tool for scoring nice meals and expensive entertainment.  Spa treatments?  A lot of those can be made at home.  And fashionable attire…well thank god for Target (and my mom, who still takes me shopping).  I’ve even been known to bring my own flask to certain overpriced bars…But this isn’t a food, fashion, or man blog (for discussions on those, particularly the latter, take me for margaritas and I’ll keep you entertained for hours).  

When it comes to design, there are a ton of ways to save!  Yes, we all can drool over the amazing selections of Restoration Hardware, Jonathan Adler, and the like.  But for a lot of us, those pieces are a tad pricey.  The good news is that there are equally stylish alternatives to a lot of today’s chicest, most gorgeous pieces at prices almost anyone can afford. 

So, to start yet another new series (for my still non-existent readers), here’s ten ways to save on some of today’s hottest furniture splurges!  The focus today?  Armchairs…so sit back and enjoy!

1) SPLURGE: $1,199

Rand Wing Chair (Ethan Allen)

SAVE: $359.99

Roma White Quilted Leather Arm Chair (Overstock.com)

2) SPLURGE: $999

Archer Leather Chair –Jet (Room and Board)

SAVE: $180.99

Avenue Six Wall Street Armless Chair (WalMart)

3) SPLURGE: $1,620

Jordon Lounge Chair (InStyleDecor.com)

SAVE: $159.99

Swoop Armchair Velvet – Pewter Gray (Target.com)

 

4) SPLURGE: $1,299

Martin Chair – Khaki (Room and Board)

SAVE: $299

Kaitlin Beige Chair (Value City Furniture)

5) SPLURGE: $977

Hank Chair-Natural Canvas (Williams Sonoma Home)

SAVE: $305.99

Manchester Club Chair (Overstock.com)

6) SPLURGE: $760

Abigail Chair - White Brushed Canvas (Williams Sonoma Home)

SAVE: $136.99

Linon Home Trento Slipper Chair (Kmart)

 

7) SPLURGE: $1,190

Shane Chair (Mitchell Gold Bob Williams)

SAVE: $149

Sleeper Lounge Chair – Gray (Amazon.com)

8) SPLURGE: $1,799

Manhattan Leather Recliner (Pottery Barn)

SAVE: $679.99

Thomas Recliner (Target.com)

9) SPLURGE: $1,090-$1,345

1950’s Upholstered Copenhagen Chair (Restoration Hardware)

SAVE: $349-$399

Tirup Swivel Chair (Ikea)

 

10) SPLURGE: $1,300

Belgian Track Arm Slipcovered Chair – White Duck (Restoration Hardware)

SAVE: $299

Cooper Slipcovered Armchair –Stone White (West Elm)

10 Best: Beds Under $500

Staging is all about finding deals, so not surprisingly, I spend a LOT of time looking for deals for my staging jobs.  Although, to be honest, I actually do this sort of stuff in my free time too (this should give you a good idea of just how crazy my apartment gets on a Saturday night).  Until now, I've been hoarding what I assumed were copious amounts of useless information about the absolute best furniture deals out there...but now, my (currently nonexistent) readers can benefit from the hours I spend scouring stores and the internet for deals! 

So, here is the first post in what will hopefully become a popular series that I'm calling "10 Best" (creative, right?).  I'm starting with beds because, let's face it, that's where the magic happens! Plus, if you can only have ONE great piece of furniture, I vote that it should be a show-stopping bed...

Enjoy!

1) Halo Platform Bed

Overstock.com ($239.99 for full size)

2)FLORO Bed Frame

Ikea ($379-$449)

3) West Elm Nailhead Upholstered Headboard

West Elm ($346-$499)

4) Clarion Bed

Value City Furniture ($399 for Queen)

5) Orleans Tufted Headboard

Target ($329-$419)

 

6) City Bed by Fashion Bed Group (Black)

WalMart.com ($279-$299)

  7) Sandstone Bed

Kmart.com ($299-$429)

8) Everett Headboard

Pottery Barn ($399 for full size)

9)  Sea Grass Block Headboard and Footboard

Pier One ($299-$399)

10) Classic Black Queen Bed 

Value City Furniture ($199)