Closing Today

Urban Outfitters Surya Sun Wall Hanging

So in a couple short hours I will be the owner of my very own dream house in Venice, Florida. The past few years have included my dearest friend dying in my arms from stomach cancer, my husband of thirty five years dropping dead of a heart attack, moving to Florida with someone who turned into a nightmare, and now living in an epicenter of a global pandemic. Is there a happy punchline here? Hardly. But hopefully "Happy Days Are Here Again."

I bought this darling sun wall hanging at Urban Outfitters. I love Amanda Lindroth's whimsical wicker and rattan pieces, but the price tags not so much. This sweet rattan piece reminds of the beautiful sunshine we have virtually every day of the year here, and serves as a metaphor that the sun is coming up on a new day in my life.

I can't wait to start sharing this house redo with all of you. I think and trust it will be great fun and that I will find the peace that has been missing in my life of late. Thank you for joining me in this journey. It is so much more fun sharing it with all of you.

Rattan High/Low

Amanda Lindroth $799

Rattan has become very HOT, but so too have the prices with the designer collections of it. Although the lines of these coffee tables are not identical, they are quite similar, and this Urban Outfitters piece is great for the money. And I am not completely sure I like the inset glass on the Amanda Lindroth one. Both tables are 44 inches wide. $799 versus $179.

As far as quality, I have ordered from both Amanda Lindroth and from Urban Outfitters and trust me, the quality it not better IMHO with Lindroth's collection. I purchased two of her Island Trays, one in blue, one in orange, and they are just o.k. and were very expensive. I think her things are very high on style and very average in quality. Not bad, but not equal to the price tag at all.

Urban Outfitters has always had excellent home decor, and they are loaded with great rattan items right now. A follower emailed me that she has purchased several rattan pieces from UO recently and thought the quality was great, and the reviews on this coffee table are excellent. I am going to have a sofa and coffee table and television in my master bedroom and this coffee table would be a great look. I may never leave the bedroom.

Urban Outfitters $179.00

And if you like those cute little wicker chandelier shades at Amanda Lindroth for $79 each -

Amanda Lindroth $79.00

This one from Ballard Designs is $26.00. It comes in four different styles and gets great reviews.

Ballard Designs $26.00

Please tune in tomorrow for my review of my Samplize paint samples and my color selections.

Chinoiserie at Urban Outfitters

Love the look of rattan? Urban Outfitters has some fun pieces.

Rattan Scroll Coffee Table

Rattan Scroll Coffee Table

Rattan Scroll Side Table

Rattan Scroll Side Table

Bali Headboard

Bali Nightstand

Bali Nightstand

The Year of the Elephant

Although officially it is the Chinese Year of the Rabbit, it is clearly the year of the elephant in interior design. They are everywhere-search eBay and Etsy for vintage versions and HomeGoods is loaded with them right now. Below are three I love from Urban Outfitters, Z Gallerie, and iomoi. Stay tuned next week for a week devoted to pink Chinoiserie in honor of Valentine's Day and House Beautiful's pink issue.

Chic Side Table

This campaign style accordion side table from Urban Outfitters is incredibly chic and at $60 an incredible steal. A perfect little perch for a Chinoiserie objet.

$10 Chinoiserie Finds

This Journal from Urban Outfitters has a de Gournay feel to it, don't you think? I also love this Lacquer Tray from World Market. Both are great little Chinoiserie indulgences that won't break the bank.

Another Blanc de Chine Find

One of my favorite local blogs and bloggers Lindsay of Starfish & Sundresses alerted me to this wonderful blanc de Chine Geisha Lamp Base at Urban Outfitters for $32.00. Add your own lampshade-a bell or pagoda shape in red, black, or white would be perfect! You'll have your own modern version of this iconic Billy Haines geisha lamp pictured below.

Blue Chinoiserie DIY

I found this room via Semigloss Chic from Horchow here. I love all the blues used together-sky blue walls, turquoise blue sofa and Chinoiserie pillows, and the cobalt blue abstract art. Quite fabulous. I've gathered some great budget friendly items to recreate this look. As for the abstract painting, paint it yourself. I've done a couple of large canvases for my home and they turned out great. This above is three smaller canvases, but it could be done instead using one large canvas if you prefer.

Urban Outfitters

Target

Urban Chinoiserie

Urban Outfitters is a great resource for cheap, chic, modern Chinoiserie for a first apartment, child's room, beach house, or any of us watching our budget in this still shaky economy. This is just a sampling of the great rugs, duvet covers, wall decals, and curtains for a budget friendly Chinoiserie look. Each of these pieces is under $70.00.