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Shop Savvy: Designer Lookalikes

BOne of the Home & Garden shows I enjoy features a "mockover"---a room made to look like a pricey designer makeover. The original can run from $30,000 - $100,000 while their version is often $1,500 to $4,000 (sans production cost of course---they always leave out the labor!).

I thought I'd blog on some ways to recreate designer looks for less. To get the ball rolling, this post will include some stylish goods from popular retailers with an inspiration piece and a purse-friendly find.

Horchow's "Sauda" Chandelier

On Special, $1,124.90

I'm lovin' jet black chandeliers. The angles of this piece are divine.

Ballard Design's Black Crystal Chandelier

On Sale, $299

Okay, for over $800 less, you can get all the black

beauty with a lot of the bang for a lot less buck.

Turkish Patchwork Rug, 6 x 9

$2,700 (+$250 in delivery)

Exuberant to say the least!

Would warm a stately living room

or spice up an exotic bedroom.

FLOR's Souk Chic in Multi

$149.99 (+$22 shipping)

This version is easy to clean and fresh as

summer watermelon. Not parlor pedigree, but

perfect for a play area.

Anthropologie's Lotus Lace Floor Pillow

30 inches, $128

Large, lucious and worth the

splurge, really, but....

Pottery Barn Outdoor Suzani Pillow

26 inches, $38

A teal and green temptation tough enough for

the sun, yet soft and sophisticated for sofa!

Bellacor Coral Table Lamp

28 1/2 in high, $137

I'm a bit over the coral thing,

but this is subtle and ideal for

a coastal look.

JCPenney Coral Table Lamp

27 1/4 in high, $69

This lookalike is almost half-price!

(Sorry image wouldn't link, but it's almost identical!)

Posted by Audrey Hoffman, VoteAudrey on 05/31/2008 04:06 PM

Comments (32)

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32 Comments on Shop Savvy: Designer Lookalikes

MAY

2008

AUDREY - You should have your own show. You did a great job with your knock-offs, and you mentioned that labor isn't free, somethng that every staging show seems to ignore.

Audrey,

I love these types of shows, you can always get some great ideas. Its so true, you can get a designer look on a budget, you just need to be a savvy little shopper.

Adam--I would LOVE to have a show...I could travel and interview Realtors in different markets too! Yeah, my mother, God love her, always says "You never get that much done in 12 hours....." Well, without that handy team of helpers, no, it'll take a little longer!

Donna--Yes, an that's the fun of it isn't it?

Hi Audrey,

It is always a good feeling too when you can save money... Have a great weekend. Michael A. Caruso

Audrey, I am with you as far as finding the knock offs. I haven't wrapped my head around the black chandelier yet. I am probably too traditional for it? I bet they look great in the right room, I would just be too big of a scardy cat to try it!

Audrey ~ You're right about JC Penney lamps -- some of them look WAY more expensive than they are! I have several pairs that look like hammered bronze but are actually ceramic. They are the most versatile lamps I have.

Great work and research! Thanks for including all of the photos.

Audrey- You should be doing articles for magazines! In fact, my talented little friend, I think you could do whatever you set your mind to! Great comparisons! Most of the time, I much prefer the cheaper versions!

I LOVE doing this... you provided some great examples too!

Audrey ~ This is great! It must have taken you some time to put this together! I love the stuff Horchow has, however, it is a bit pricey for me. I also love Ballard's and getting a deal on their beautiful stuff.

Audrey, I have never been in to name brands so I loved your tips. I have signed up to take the two day staging class here in Houston on June 24th and 25th. I'm looking forward to it.

Michael - Yes, saving helps :)

Audrey - It is a very dramatic look. If you're game, check out Domino magazine's unusual chandelier gallery.

Maureen - And even better if you can get them on sale!

Tori - You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it.

Elaine - I agree, some of the lookalikes are more fun! You know, I'm working on that...we shall see!

Melissa - Isn't comparison shopping exciting? Love it!

Kathy P.- Ballard's has an outlet in Atlanta that I like to check out!

Marchel - How exciting! Let me know how it goes.

Lovely comparisions Audrey! I too like to look at comparisons...and really love to find an expensive looking item...and find out it is uber-affordable! As long as the 'look' is there...and the quality is also evident, I will buy the lower priced item. (However, this does not keep me from quickly picking the most expensive 'whatever' in the store...I can spot those high-ticket items from across the floor!!!) Every so often there is a hot sale from Horchow...and that thrills me...otherwise, I usually try to find a balance between the expensive and less-costly items! Thanks again! Regards-Kathleen G

I love this! Just goes to show ya...shop around and you can always find a less expensive choice! It's fun and satisfying! Good job!

Always a bargain hunter - a girl after my own heart.. Thanks for all the work you put into this... Keep it up...

JUN

2008

Awesome... Just Awesome. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

Kathy

I have a house full of bargain hunters who'd probably love to hit the stores with you. :-)

This is great! Love it, look foward to the next

JUN

2008

What fun - you make it look so easy - always handy to have the hefty and the slimmed down dollar version.

thanks!

Audrey,

Nobady loves a great deal on home furnishings like a stager and nobody's better at finding one.

Very fun post, Audrey! Thanks for the research.

Great finds Audrey!

Until I met my husband I would turn my nose up at 'bargin finds'. I've relaxed now and actually love creating a stunning room without the price tag. It is a HUGE thrill for me!

I'm also over the top thrilled when I find an original at an amazing price.

I have to say though...the black chandelier is outstanding and the 'fake'...falls flat!

Audrey, I love the looks you chose for comparisons...especially the subtle coral lamp. The floor cushions are great, too. Thanks for sharing your bargain hunting talent with us!

Wendy Casey - Vancouver, BC (A-Llist Home Staging)

JUN

2008

Kathleen--While some of Horchow's lot is stuffy, much of it really is tres chic and getting goods on sale from there may be worth the splurge

Sharon--The looking's half the fun!

Cheryl--My pleasure

Kathy N.--Gladly

Chuck--AZ hunting? Woo-hoo! That's fresh turf!

Julia--I'll keep 'em coming

Jennifer--When you're prowling for goodies, ya never know what you may stumble upon

Susan--Agreed!

Dane--It is a bloodrush to save money but have that same "wow" effect. Glad your hubby got you down 'n dirty with treasure hunting! And yes, the chandeliers, while both jet, are totally different in "look." Horchow's has formal dining sophistication while the dupe doesn't quite hit the high note for glamour. But it would work swell for blending modern with classics.

Wendy--Yeah, I think they did the coral in a not-so-overstated way which keeps it from becoming too much of a "fad" look. Thanks for the comment!

JUN

2008

U P D A T E : Ballard's black chandelier is now $199!

JUN

2008

Audrey, great examples of less pricey substitutes, I love the Pottery Barn pillows. I can't think of the name of the show on HGTV, many of these rooms are so expensive, but they find alternatives that do mimic the rooms quite well.

JUN

2008

Debbie-- With some comparison shopping, and a bit of elbow grease, a good substitute can usually be found (or made)!

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