Master the Mix: Mixing Budgets at home

I recently wrote about how little has changed in my own home in the past decade (besides my kids rooms, which have had several wholesale reinventions.) When planning out blog content at team meeting, I offered to do a “mixing budgets” post, like we did with the design studio, to show where we splurge and where we save and how we shop all across the budget spectrum. (To read, Part I, Part II, Part III). Even as we have worked on larger projects with bigger budgets, this holds true: a current project has a pair of $9K couches but the powder room mirror was $20 at a thrift shop (and it’s perfect!)

So it was interesting to return to my own home and put price tags on everything. When we moved in 12 years ago, we had two kids in child care, no full time jobs, and zero disposable income. We were able to make a large down payment on the house because I had done well with timing in the Brooklyn real estate market, and I persuaded my husband that we should hold back a small pot to decorate our home. At 2100 finished square feet, it was twice the size of our homes in Boulder and Brooklyn, and we had empty rooms to fill.

The big budget number?

$5K.

Boy, did I stretch that money! And while this isn’t the blog post we intended, I do think it is instructive to see how you can make a little magic without a lot of dollars. (You will see that the tags likely add up to more than $5K, as eventually, little by little, we put a bit more into the house.)

Here are some tips that apply across the budget spectrum.

Dining Room

Big impact does not need to come with a big price tag. Sometimes it’s literally just the scale. In my dining room, I bought a knock-off Noguchi lantern from Pearl River. (I have mixed feelings on knock offs and will write a post allll about it. In this case I have since invested in the real deal in my office at the studio, but the real ones don’t come in the right size for my dining room!)

Invest in Art, especially when you have a major focal wall.

Shop used, shop direct. I’m not above Facebook marketplace or even Goodwill. These authentic Eames chairs were a lucky find, born of a time investment over money. New (or even vintage through a dealer) go for at least $400 each. I paid $800 for 9!

I can’t replicate a furniture-building father-in-law (mine built the dining table for our house in Brooklyn 16 years ago!), but you CAN put furniture on a wedding registry or create a “furniture fund” wish list for birthdays or Christmas. You can also learn to build a simple table, if you are so inclined.

Splurge on accessories! An authentic item, like this rustic pottery bowl from ABC Carpet and Home in NY, can really elevate a space.

Living Room

I generally recommend investing in quality upholstery (couches in particular) and rugs. Another way to think about it is to invest in the largest items in the room since they get so much play. My couch was a splurge when we bought it for our house in Boulder 14 years ago; for context, the same couch starts at $4K today. I can’t tell you how often clients come to us with frustrations over their big-box couches falling apart within a year or two.

Pick up basics from major retailers, like these white linen-blend curtains from Ikea. These come in various lengths and/or you can hem them (they used to come with hem tape…not sure if this is still true.)

Speaking of Ikea, they have inexpensive frames that don’t look cheap! I used the classic Ribba and added DIY prints of my Junior High stamp collection to create the art stack. I have since upgraded, but that was about a $50 investment for a big impact, and I enjoyed it for almost a decade!

And speaking of stacking…I have always loved those spine bookcases but they aren’t cheap (and aren’t always available.) For a similar look, I literally stacked design books from biggest to smallest. I don’t advise trying this with books you reference regularly though!

Lamps have a huge impact in a space. This is another category where the impact does not need to be in proportion to the price. The impact can come from color, scale, or shape. Do not to overlook thrifty options—there are great lamps at vintage stores (especially retrowanderlust locally) and discount retailers (mine are Drexel but found at Home Goods!).

Don’t be afraid of a trade. Years ago, an old friend and early client swapped me the carved Indian coffee table for design services. While you may not be a designer, there are lots of things one can barter.

Bedroom

My bedding was from my wedding registry. I kept to a simple, quality, hotel style knowing it would be a great backdrop to changing textiles.

I’m a big fan of dressing the bed with vintage or ethnic textiles, like this Kantha quilt.

My bed was once in my parents bedroom. I love that my mom’s family has a tradition of passing things around instead of selling or donating. Don’t be afraid to ask about pieces you love! You never know when someone is in the market for an upgrade. Not everyone has this relationship, I understand, but I have managed to “pre-inherit” some really fabulous things!

Finally, don’t be afraid to make your own sets. These wall lights from Pottery Barn had plain ivory shades. I upgraded the look with vintage printed shades found at a thrift store.