Cheap and Chic: Floor Lamp

I've been searching for two floor lamps: one for our basement living area and the other for a bedroom on the second floor. Stylish and good-quality floor lamps don't come cheap, so my first instinct was to turn to local classified. I didn't have much luck there. And then came the West Elm's 20% summer lighting sale. I've always wanted this tripod quadpod Adjustable Metal Floor Lamp in polished nickel so I immediately ordered one.

I also really like this Stephen Antonson Nautilus Floor Lamp with cream linen shade. What had set me back a little is the $385 price tag. Even with an attractive 20% discount, I still couldn't justify spending $350 on a floor lamp that we would only use occasionally.

And then I came across this lookalike at HomeSense today - a turned floor lamp painted in white with white linen shade! I grabbed it without any second thought at a cheap-and-chic price tag of $80! Can you see I am doing the happy dance now?

Hope you all have a great weekend. This weather is a bit too muggy for comfort.

Cheap n Chic: Seagrass Water Hyacinth Baskets

I love a good-sized storage basket made of natural materials such as Water Hyacinth or Seagrass. Not only are they functional: you can use it practically in any room of your house, may it be a throw basket in your living room, or for storing plush toys in a nursery, or for scarves and hats in your mudroom; they also look great by adding a touch of warmth and rustic nature to your décor.

The best types are those with handles for easy portability.

Pottery Barn's Beachcomber Extra-large Round Basket at $165 is definitely worth the splurge.

 

You can stow away a ton of stuff in its generous 21" x 23" size.

 

 

 
West Elm's Oversize Seagrass Basket at $138 is charming, warm and functional.

World Market's Water Hyacinth Jessica Basket is a Pottery Barn Beachcomber lookalike, smaller but at an affordable $35.

My favourite goes to Indigo's Sweater-Weave Basket made of natural seagrass and is just the right size I was looking for, at a cheap-and-chic price of $39.50.



 

Indigo's Home Decor Winter Sale

Brrr...I know it's cold out there, but I hope this winter sale will warm you up. Indigo has just put tens of Home and Lifestyle items on clearance sale, up to 70% off. I was eyeing a few decorative accessories for a while, and my patience has finally paid off. Love me a deal!

I picked up this same throw in Granite Green last year, and have been wanting to get another one in Bamboo. Don't let the colour name mislead you, the throw is actually in a very calm yet happy shade of yellow, nothing to do with Bamboo green. It's now on sale from $45 down to $18.00.



 

This super stylish antler magnifying glass is now at $11.80, from $29.50. It's going to look sensational on top of my coffee table books.

 

Heirloom pinecone salt & pepper shakers in polished stainless steel will brighten up any dining room, on sale for $7.80. West Elm has the identical ones for $18.88. 

 

I would really love to have these stone object bookend now at $4.00 each, but I didn't like the shipping cost for a heavy item (starting at $9.99 per item) so I took a pass. I am going to find out I could store them in store. 

 

Or how about this vintage-y heirloom keepsake box now at $11.80? Similar ones at Pottery Barn start at $38.26.

 



If you like Indigo home decor as much as I do, I suggest you pick up those items on sale sooner than later -- because they are going real fast!

Cheap n Chic: Mercury Glass Candleholders

It's been a while since I added a Cheap and Chic post so it's time to revive this series and get back into the thrifting game.

Mercury glass, or silvered glass, adds a touch of nostalgia to everyday home decor. It's especially popular during holidays for it creates a luxurious and warm ambiance.

Ballard Designs' Antiqued Mercury Glass Candlesticks - Assorted Set of 5: US$69

Pottery Barn's Antique Mercury Glass Taper Holders: $85 for a set of three.

Gluckstein Home's Antiqued Silver Mercury Glass Candleholders: $35 for a set of three, on sale now at 50% off at the Bay.

I've ordered two sets of them and can't wait to see how they turn out in my house. More on that later.

Online Thrifting

Did any of your shopping experience ever end up with you walking out of the door loaded with tons of stuff that you weren't originally there for? I hope I am not alone. With the convenience of clicks-away online shopping, it can get worse for me.

Earlier tonight as I was browsing on Indigo web site for the latest Eyewitness Travel Guides, I came across this -- Metal Task Lamp in Dandelion. Its Seafoam Green twin has received so many mentions lately in design magazines and blogs. I am actually very drawn to this peppy shade of yellow, and of course I couldn't pass a price tag like that either! So it made to my shopping cart.  

It was used in one of Steven and Chris' episodes "Sexy Dens for the Single Gal". Love the pop!

 

I also picked up this white lacquer tray at 50% off. 

I am thinking of using it like this in our living room, or as a vanity tray in our main bathroom. It's so versatile and has so much potential, all for a mere $12.50! Love me a deal!


Decorpad

Do you do online thrifting? Have you scored anything fun lately? Btw, you should really check out Indigo web site often, under Lifestyle and Home categories. They have really cool and chic stuff on sale all the time.

Cheap n Chic: Glam Magazine Holder

As I was searching for a magazine holder for my master bath, I came across this:

This very glam, very Chanel quilted magazine holder by Global Views. It's available through a few online retailers such as Wayfair at $447.50.

Our very own Bouclair carries a similar quilted faux leather magazine holder, available in two sizes, at cheap-n-chic prices of $24.99 (L) and $19.99 (S).

Guess which one I ended up buying?

Cheap n Chic: Capiz Drum Chandelier

Welcome to Monday, and the heat alert! I hope you are staying cool and hydrated. Here are a couple of eye candies to help you through a few more working hours.

Oly Studio Senera Capiz Drum Chandelier via Lightopia at $3,250.

 It looks so elegant and cozy in a bedroom. Picture via Decorpad.

Or how about hanging it in a least expected place over the kicthen island to add some glam? Picture via Oly Studio.

Wicker Emporium's Capiz Hanging Lamp at a Cheap-n-Chic price of $40!

Oly Studio's Serena capiz lights also come in floor lamp. Price undisclosed.

 Or how about snatching a similar one at Wicker Emporium on sale now for $72!

Cheap n Chic: Nautical Coral Decor

I have always been a big fan of nautical decor in a subtle way. You are never going to see key elements like anchors, ropes or ship wheels in my house, but you will spot coral branches, nautilus shells and blue/white wide stripes pop up here and there. Since summer seems to have arrived early this year, I thought I would post a few great finds of coral sculptures. After all, who can get the beach out of their head with gorgeous weather like this, right? Most of these coral branches are natural. The lucite stand/base adds elegance, and gives the nautical theme a more polished spin.

Natural coral branch on a lucite base via Seashell Collection on Etsy, cheap n chic at $24.

This red coral sculpture via Vivre Collection has a Hollywood Regency vibe, and a fabulous price tag of $90.

Pottery Barn carries a lot of nautical decor items. This faux prickly coral is a substantial piece at $99.

Last but not least, this dramatic and one-of-a-kind blue coral sculpture is available at Burke Decor for $245.

With that, I am going to sign off for the rest of the week, and look forward to meeting all of you fabulous peer bloggers at the BlogPodium this Saturday.

Cheap n Chic: Criss Cross Bookcase

I first spotted this super chic criss cross bookcase in Style at Home magazine. I love everything about it -- elegant lines, sophisticated finishing touches with finials, etc., well, except for the price tag.

Super fab criss-cross bookcase in glossy back via HW Home, Blue Hand Home or One Kings Lane, ~US$895.

JYSK's Magnus 5-Tier Bookcase comes stained or unstained, and as a perfect fixer-upper on sale now at $103! I just need to pick up four wood curtain finials and screw them into each post. Can you see an awesome DIY project coming?  

In the Mail Today

The Indigo Woven Zigzag Throw I blogged about arrived in the mail today, and it's even better than expected. I think I am going to order the yellow (Bamboo) one...too bad it's not on sale.

The throw adds color and coziness to the otherwise pretty plain foyer.

I also created a hallway chest vignette as part of my efforts to bring colors to the space following the "group of three" rule.

Cheap n Chic: Capiz Pendant Light

I first spotted this elegant capiz-shell pendant at Jen's master bedroom. It gives out such soft and mellow glow.

Capiz Pendant at Pottery Barn on sale now for $205, regular $257.  

Wicker Emporium's Flower Hanging Lamp shares similar design but smaller in size on sale now for $60, regular $120. The smaller diameter is perfect for a little girl's room/nursery, powder room, or as bedside lamps hung from the ceiling.

Happy Shopping & Saving!

This Week's Cheap and Chic

I've been blogging for almost 4 years now, and a big part of the fun comes from reading peer bloggers' posts. A few blogs I follow have regular themed posts such as Lindsay's "What Didn't get blogged", Jennifer's "BlogTalk", Kerry's "Fancy Friday Love", and Sundeep's "If you had to pick", etc.

I consider myself a shopaholic (mostly online) plus bargain hunter, so if I have to come up with a regular topic I can stick to, what better than something along the line of random scores, or "cheap and chic".

So here you have it, going forward, I will have weekly (if not more often) "Cheap and Chic" post to inform you of decor and fashion items that look alike but have significantly different pricing; or places you could get designer items for a lot less or on sale.

Here is this week's Cheap and Chic:

The super fab Serena & Lily Herringbone Throw in Mist, $250.

Indigo's Woven Zig Zag Throw in Granite Green: on sale now for $22.50, regular $45. Also available in Yellow and Green.

Happy Shopping & Saving!