Design Confidential: Mixing High + Low
Like most everyone, I don’t have an unlimited budget when it comes to furnishing my home. And over the years, the more I explored what was possible, the more my design aesthetic evolved to include pricier items (go figure). So, what to do? Well, my favorite thing of course – mixing high and low items together!
Now, I still have my standards – I won’t buy something that looks cheap, and I like my home to have that mindfully curated look (i.e., it can’t look like I threw a bunch of random items together and called it a day). How do I do this, you say? For my tips and tricks, read on, my dear friend, read on.
Decide Where to Save + Where to Splurge
Decisions, decisions. I know, it’s hard, and having to work with a budget is never fun. Unfortunately, it’s the truth for most of us, so making the decision on where to save and where to splurge is super important. No pressure, but this determination is the starting point for knowing how to mix high and low together.
Now, you might be thinking that you should spend on larger furnishings, but that’s not necessarily true. Instead, focus on what you love, no matter the size. For example, if you love a decorative vase, and it doesn’t break the budget, then go ahead and add to your vast vase collection.
Items that make a statement, you should probably splurge on. Also, anything that you touch regularly is worthy of an investment (i.e., blankets or kitchen faucets). For me, spending a lot of money on a rug that I’ll have for the rest of my life is a reasonable expense, but some (depending on family circumstances especially) see a rug as disposable. Really, the decision of what you’ll spend $$$$ on and what’s worthy of a deal is entirely your choice. Caveat: no matter how much you decide to spend, please please please do not buy anything that is not well made – you might as well throw your money away.
Opt for Timeless, Not Trendy
Whenever and wherever you’re splurging on home furnishings, do me a favor, and buy only those items that will stand the test of time. I mean, makes sense, right? If you’re about to throw major funds towards a sofa, that sofa better stick around for a while. The basic formula goes like this: the more money you spend on X, the longer X better last.
Now, for those pieces you’ve decided to save your budget on – go ahead and follow those trends (if you want. For more on my take with interior design trends, read this post. While I don’t always adhere to this guideline (hello, handmade ceramics), the general rule of keeping expensive items timeless and saving on trendier pieces has certainly helped me improve and align my budget with my overall lifestyle values.
Be Open to Different Sources
When sourcing home décor, the more open-minded you can set your shopping expectations, the easier and more enjoyable mixing high and low will be. Don’t pigeonhole yourself to just those big box stores with the familiar names – eclectic and collected homes showcase furnishings from a variety of unexpected sources. If you’re open to finding home décor wherever you shop – even if it’s your neighbor’s garage sale – then your design horizons expand and recognize decorative “treasures” everywhere.
A classic way to develop your sourcing skills is to thrift or shop vintage. Upcycling furniture and home décor is trending, and it’s no wonder: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Also, it’s a pretty cool way to help out Mother Earth in my opinion. Flea markets, garage sales, your local thrift store, and antique shops are great places to explore and discover what home and décor items make your heart go thumping (totally guilty of feeling that adrenaline rush when I uncover a hidden design gem amongst a ton of random stuff).
And if your budget is tight: roll up those sleeves and make it yourself. A lot of homeowners are embracing their inner creativity and starting DIY projects. Some go large, building elaborate, custom closets out of IKEA cabinets, but your inner artist can come out and make something small, too. For instance, all those vintage rustic vases you see for sale? There are loads of tutorials out there where the person buys a cheap vase at her local Goodwill, only to turn around and make it into some 18th c. masterpiece (for the one I use, check it out here).
So, there you have it. Keep those basic three considerations in mind, and soon enough, you’ll be mixing high and low like a pro. If you still need a shoulder to cry on, we’re here for you! Click on the Inquire button below to reach out.
