Master the Mix: Mixing Budgets - Part II

Last Friday we revealed what we paid for the items in our studio “living room” and shared our strategies for spending according to our needs and values. (Missed it? Check it out here.)

Today is part two: The Conference Room.

Fill a Big Wall Without Breaking the Bank

It’s one of my favorite tricks: take the illustrations from a cool vintage book and frame them in inexpensive frames. (These are from Target.) To make them custom, have a local frame shop cut custom mats in an interesting color or fabric - we love linen and silk!

Two Inexpensive Rugs Add Up to Lots Of Look

A large, inexpensive sisal (from World Market) defines the space, while a cowhide (from Ikea!) adds texture and an organic shape. One large statement rug would have carried a much higher price tag.

Invest in a Statement Chandelier (even if it doesn’t light up)

We didn’t want to spring for a wired fixture in here since our track lighting provides all the function we need. We love the focal point a chandelier provides though, and this vintage Fortuny silk pendant (discovered at RetroWanderlust) provides it. If your function is covered, you can save by using a non-wired option, like a suspended candelabra or basket pendant.

Spend Less on Items that Will Take a Beating

I found this vintage dining table on Craigslist! It served as a desk in my first office and has been the conference table ever since. It constantly takes a beating—we lay out samples for presentations and it is often scratched by heavy tile or flooring boards. Knowing that we needed a low-stress option guided the price point. (And yes, we sometimes use craigslist for clients, too, though it often isn’t worth the time investment if you are paying hourly fees.)

Repurpose Investment Pieces

The authentic ghost chairs were the first big furniture purchase my husband and I made together, for our dining table in Brooklyn 15 years ago. When we moved to our current house, we needed more chairs, and rather than investing in a larger set, I sent these off to the studio for another life. When you buy things you love, they always find a place.

Accessories are a Wild Card

That final layer brings personality to a room (and is an opportunity to bring balance in small ways.) You can spend a lot—or a little! We have a vase from CB2 and a pair of special vintage pieces dressing the table.

Part Three will come next week, covering the kitchenette and how we thought about building materials.