What’s The One Thing…
… that you can’t quite bring yourself to dole out the cash for, but always admire from afar? There has to be at least one item that almost brings a tear to your eye because you love it so much, but you just can’t quite reach into your wallet and make it happen. Being the cheap-o that I am, I actually have two.
The first is this amazing $399 capiz chandelier (sold at Furbish Studio):
And the second is this gorgeous scalloped mirror, formerly sold for around $300 by Ballard Designs:
Why do I love them? Let me count the ways.
- They’re both sculptural and textural
- They both have the power to make a room.
- They’re basic things (a mirror and a light) with a not-so-basic design.
- They can both make a room feel big and airy (one by providing light and one by bouncing more of it around).
- They both have that breezy and white beachy-chic thing going on, which always fries my bacon.
- They’d fit right into our house seamlessly, no need to redesign a space around them.
- I just love them both. The heart wants what it wants.
Now it’s your turn. Link to – or just describe – the item(s) that have you weak in the knees… but somehow still aren’t on your buying agenda. Do you have a “one that got away” story? Share and share alike.
First image courtesy of I Suwannee, second image courtesy of HGTV’s 2009 Green Home. Oh and check out The Newlywed Diaries for a smaller and easier-on-the-budget alternative to the capiz light we love. Sadly we’re smitten with the giant 16″ version (which is still a pretty penny on the site she dug up). Sigh.
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Right now I am totally coveting this tile… that’s right, folks.. it only LOOKS like wood beadboard, but it is actually creamy, beautiful, and oh-so-expensive ceramic tile:
http://www.ceramichegrazia.it/Prodotti/BOISERIE.pdf
purrrr!
hi guys! *waving*
I also LOVE that capiz chandelier… I picked up a similar one at target on clearance during they’re global bazaar days: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vol25/2298170719/in/set-72157600723847012/ It was regularly 129.00 and I got it for 50% off. :) It hangs in our bedroom, and I just love it.
I would love to one day have my very own studio space… that is at the top of my wish list, and will probably remain there for quite some time. :)
Whoa. Reading through the comments almost isn’t fair, since everything is mouth-wateringly beautiful! Oh, how the list grows.
I don’t need to add a link, since I came on to tell you that the very same capiz chandelier caught my eye on Target’s website almost a YEAR ago at this point. Every time a new light fixture goes up, I ache for that one. We just can’t see ourselves spending more than $200 – and even that’s too much. Almost all the fixtures in our home are from Ikea or Overstock!
I’m loving these two upholstered benches from Urban Outfitters! Either one would give the perfect pop of color to our rather “naturally” colored master bedroom:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=80&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=17052655&parentid=APARTMENT_FURNISH&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,+product.marketingPriority&navCount=14&navAction=jump&color=&pushId=APARTMENT_FURNISH&popId=APARTMENT&prepushId=&selectedProductSize=
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=80&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=17995440&parentid=APARTMENT_FURNISH&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,+product.marketingPriority&navCount=14&navAction=jump&color=&pushId=APARTMENT_FURNISH&popId=APARTMENT&prepushId=&selectedProductSize=
The chandelier looks like a george nelson bubble lamp. very retro. would go nice with ghost chairs and a noguchi free form sofa
a pair of Christian Louboutin heels! LOOOOVE that sexy red sole!
I have loved West Elm’s Parsons Desk in Tumeric for so long. I plan on treating myself to that desk when I get my degree, and start my business! It’s still quite a ways away though.
The Jonathan Adler Giraffe lamp ($395)
http://www.jonathanadler.com/Giraffe-Lamp-7265/?initial=
…and a Helix pendant lamp from Room & Board
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=2748&catalog=type&menuCatalog=room&menuSubcategory=197167
I’d love to get granite counters for the kitchen. Alas, hubby can make nice butcher-block looking counters for a fraction of the price, so we’ll go that way, it looks like.
Every time we pass a Restoration Hardware, I lust after this couch: http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1672035&navCount=3 in chestnut. It’s wide enough for 2 people to lay side by side. A plus, since currently my husband and I fight over the couch at night (I win and he ends up in a chair). It’s so deep when I sit back in it my feet dangle off the ground, and I’m 5’8.
Oh yeah…I can never quite bring myself to shell out the money for patio furniture.
There’s a BH&G set at Wal-Mart right now with bright and fun green cushions. I LOVE it. Between that and a couple of chaise loungers, I’m always lusting after patio furniture.
But, we’re stuck with plastic chairs and blankets for now. Someday :)
I desperately want this mirrored chest for my bedroom, but would never spend the money!
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-painted-Mirrored-Drawer-Accent-Chest/3928244/product.ht
A local artist hung her art in our favorite cafe/coffee shop for about a year and I am in love with one of her large paintings. It’s a retro Dairy Queen sign (which brings back fond memories of childhood). Problems are this:
1. My husband hates it and has refused to hang it anywhere in our house.
2. It’s about $450.
Sad thing is, the money would be MUCH easier to come by than convincing DH to let me buy it. I tried for a year before they changed out the artwork and he doesn’t have to look at it all the time now. I still have her card though, so I dream…
Everything from ligne roset. Everything.
http://www.ligne-roset.de/
http://img.archiexpo.de/images_ae/photo-g/modernes-sideboard-aus-holz-154445.jpg
http://www.huels-in.de/upload/795054_cineline_02_1_A.jpg
http://image.architonic.com/imgPro180/ligneroset180/C_00j6l.jpg
I will buy it one day, but not in the next year or so…
Read this blog post (not my blog, I’m just a lurker) to see where to get the Lotus Flower Chandy fo rmuch less. It’s 1/2 the price!!!!
http://newlyweddiaries.blogspot.com/2010/06/look-for-less-lotus-flower-chandelier.html
Hey Shea,
Unfortunately we’re jonesing for the larger 16″ version (which is still a pretty penny on that site). Thanks for the tip though!
xo,
s
Wow, that chandelier is the stuff dreams are made of! Literally took my breath away. I’m totally with you.
Here’s a much cheaper, allbeit very different version of the light you love….maybe while you’re saving up for the perfect one???
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60071344
Yup, we’re just too in love with the original to compromise. But thanks for the link!
xo,
s
I adore this painting,
http://www.dimplesanddandelions.com/product_details.asp?Product_ID=25595&SSAID=198698
available also at Pottery Barn. I have the perfect spot for it just above my daughter’s crib. But with all the other expenses that come with a new house, I can’t justify spending that much! But I decided to use the color scheme for her room, and was able to convince a dear friend to create a similar masterpiece (which I haven’t seen yet).
I found this link via another blog…I know it’s not the original, but it looks really similar. Just wanted to share it with you! :)
http://www.islandwoods.com/lamps.html
Thanks for the link! Alas, we’re in love with the larger version, which is still a pretty penny on that site. Sigh.
xo,
s
Ah, that would be the MOOI Light Shade Shade. Love.
http://www.lumens.com/Light-Shade-Shade-Chandelier-by-Moooi/uu294875/product?ad_id=froogle&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=cpc&CAWELAID=479513602
I found one at a sample sale for half off once, and it was still really expensive. But the thing that actually kept me from splurging was figuring out that all of my guests would have to duck to see each other if we put it above the dining room table. I have settled for the Z gallerie knockoff, which I gets us lots of compliments. Got it on sale of course!
http://www.zgallerie.com/pc-5666-38-erto-chandelier.aspx
http://www.islandwoods.com/lamps.html
Similar look, cheaper price!
Thanks for the link! Sadly we’re smitten with the larger 16″ version, which is still a pretty penny on that site. Sigh…
xo,
s
New lamp at Ikea, but it’s sorta big (32″). Their website doesn’t do it justice though – you have to see it at the store. It’s very pretty/dainty/stunning! I have a picture I can email if you like :o)
oops, here’s the link…
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90147465
Hey guys! I know you are really fond on capiz chandeliers (as are we all…), so I thought I’d share a DIY faux chandelier that turned out looking almost just like the real thing! Although it’s not the high-end $300-$2000 thing (I wish…), I’ve had a lot of comments on it. Thought some of your cost-conscious readers might enjoy seeing it! It cost less than $20 to make. You guys can see it on my blog under projects.
I love your blog, BTW. A couple of years ago, you two were my inspiration to start my own. :)
Wow- that’s amazing! You made it so big. My hero! I love it.
xo,
s