Splurge or Save: Louis XIV Side Chair

Louis XIV... the other week we were talking all about his taste in mirrors... this week it's the chairs.  I swear I'm not obsessed with Marie Antoinette or anything... it just worked out this way!

I happen to be a huge fan of Louis XIV Chairs.  They have classic clean lines, feminine curves, but when done simply like the above, they don't look fussy or girly AT ALL.

Eclectic Bedroom by Brooklyn Media & Bloggers Lauren Gries

Dining Room by Jamestown Furniture & Accessories Barbara Schaver @ Furnitureland South

Rustic Dining Room by Phoenix Interior Designers & Decorators Palm Design Group

Traditional Dining Room by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators kim scodro interiors

Contemporary Dining Room by Newburyport Furniture & Accessories Urban Elements Home and Gift

Traditional Dining Room by Hoboken Furniture & Accessories Zin Home

I love them when they are upholstered...

I love them with their caned backs...

I love them painted...

But I also love them with their natural wood...

And one day, I would REALLY love to see a set of them in my house!  If you're looking to make that happen sooner than later, I rounded up a few for comparison sake... the "splurge" and the "save".

Were you able to guess which was which??

I'm not going to lie... Kathy Kuo knows her stuff... check out her site if you're looking for some (pricey) inspiration.  She has AMAZING things, but for those of you looking to save a few (thousand) dollars, check out World Market.

Now I realize that the "save" price might still seem a bit steep.  These aren't impulse purchase chairs, but for two chairs, $400 is a fair deal when we're talking those turned legs, the aged finish on the solid wood frame, and the linen upholstery.  I've also seen World Market sell them separately, so if you just needed one for a lonely corner, or as a desk chair it's not bad.  Also, considering they are running a special for 25% off furniture right now, it's actually $300 for both chairs.

Even without the 25% off, you could still buy 6 chairs for your dining room, for the price of the Kathy Kuo stunners (although that cane backing is so drool worthy)...  If you're looking to buy, links are below:
Save a few bucks: World Market Linen Louis XIV Chair
Play Diddy for a day: Kathy Kuo Home Louis XIV Chair

What do you think??  Is it worth the splurge or would you rather save??

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Neither World Market nor Kathy Kuo has paid me to post their products - all opinions are my own

I Have a Dream... of a Fiddle Leaf Fig

Here's a riddle for you... what is alive (but doesn't move on it's own), has gorgeous green waxy leaves, is ridiculously expensive and favored by every contemporary interior designer who ever lived???

If you guessed the fiddle leaf fig, then you'd be correct!

I mean look how pretty they are!!

Traditional Family Room by Washington Interior Designers & Decorators Haddon Interiors

Mediterranean Entry by Los Angeles Interior Designers & Decorators Chris Barrett Design

Contemporary Living Room by Round Rock Interior Designers & Decorators Dana Frieling Interiors

Contemporary Living Room by Rancho Santa Fe Interior Designers & Decorators Shaw Coates

Eclectic Bedroom by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Cecilie Starin Design Inc.

Traditional Living Room by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators Summer Thornton Design, Inc

Enough with the inspiration photos you say??  You totally get how amazingly gorgeous these plants are???  And you understand why I am completely obsessed with them????  And you are wondering where I am going with this?????

Well, ok.  Let me tell you my little fiddle leaf fig story...

I've wanted one of these graphic, big-leafed beauties for going on three years now, but I have discovered that they are pricey.  REALLY pricey in fact.  A 5' fiddle leaf fig can easily run four-hundred plus dollars... I know... I KNOW... that is ridiculously expensive!!  I have a notoriously brown thumb, so I was not about to shell out several hundred bucks for a plant that I would be likely to kill in record time.

I had heard rumors that Ikea was known to sell these plants, but I'd stalked the Ikea plant section for years without seeing so much as a bit of evidence to show that the fiddle leaf fig was ever actually sold there... I was convinced that this was a total urban myth... or was it???

Fast forward to this past weekend while I wandered the aisles of Ikea, dodging every idiot and their huge cart picking up shelves, brackets, and some of their lovely Ribba square frames... when lo and behold, what did I see??

You got it - a lovely, lonely, (smallish) fiddle leaf fig, nestled among the cheap-y palm fronds and money trees (not to hate on the money tree... I actually kind of like them).  As the Ikea patrons were examining the medium sized palm plants, I deserted my cart, and dashed over to the lone fiddle leaf fig, possibly trampling a few small children on my way.  Um, it was the holy grail - and for $12.99

HOLLAAAAAAAA!!!

Here she is -

Go on... just look at those lush pretty leaves...

 

And let's not forget about the basket I found to house it!!  It does NOT look like it came from Ikea.  It's big and sturdy, but it was still under $30!!  And that's not it (I feel like an infomercial)... it also has a plastic insert to catch any water that leaks out from watering - keeping your floors dry, and preventing any rot in the pretty basket. It doesn't get better than that folks.

Plus, look at the nice handles and black detail around the rim - House Beautiful has started to feature decorating advice from the experts in every issue, and last month one of them was "always be sure to include black in every room - it grounds the space".  Thanks House Beautiful!  Don't mind if I do!

And a final "beauty shot" of my little fiddle leaf fig... the mirror reflects the rest of the room, so you can kind of see how the rest of the space is evolving in this last photo...

Now I just need to figure out how to keep this little plant alive, and then I can call it a success!!

Glitter Makes Everything Better

I need this tape.  Like REALLY need this tape...

Can't you imagine all the taping needs that this sparkly gold glitter tape will fill?

Giving a plainly wrapped gift some pizzazz...

Sealing an envelope with a bit of flair... oh our rent check will be mailed with so much style next month!!

Is it just me, or is this tape the cats pajamas??  I'm ordering 2 rolls stat.  Do you think that's enough?

If you're obsessed like me, you can buy it here.

Happy Saturday!
xo

Tracy Reese Dessert Plates

As I was running errands over the weekend, I stumbled into the Niemen Marcus for Target collection.  Um... AMAZING finds!  I pretty much had to pull myself away immediately before diving head first into the display!  The Marc Jacobs clutch??  Amazing!  The Rodarte ornament??  So lovely!  The Judith Leiber compact mirror?? Glitzy perfection! I wanted the Oscar de la Renta dog bowl (even though I don't have a dog), the Alice and Olivia striped luggage (so cute), and everything Altuzarra (cocktail shakers, tumblers, and tray).  I actually may go back for those!

I had to get out of there, but not before picking up a pack of the Tracy Reese dessert plates!  There are four in the set - each with a different pattern.

They are really so beautiful in person, and I feel extra fancy knowing that the gold rim is actually real gold!

The teal and navy is my favorite, but the gold and navy is a REALLY close second!

I went out and got the fixings for apple crisp to make as a surprise tonight for Kris, so we can put these plates to use!  I think I might run back and get another few sets as last minute gifts!!

Exploring the Market of the World...

Have you been to World Market (formerly Cost Plus) lately?

Sweet baby Jesus, they have some AMAZING finds!  My office is literally across the street from Pier 39, which means awesome views - both of the bay, as well as of lost tourists and more fanny packs than you can imagine... Side Note: Where are people still buying fanny packs??  It is a great mystery to me...

Getting back to my original point, World Market is just a hop skip and a jump away, so I can escape calmly walk over during a lunch break, and indulge in a little retail therapy.  For those of you who haven't been to World Market in a while - please do - its not all incense and meditation pillows anymore - they have some seriously fabulous pieces!

I have to add, they are not paying me to say any of this... I'm just way into them right now

Hello there beautiful zebra printed Louis XVI dining chair!!  Imagine a pair of these in a living room... or as an addition to an office (um what if you added mini casters to the legs... fabulous AND functional).  I could even see a chair like this in a bedroom or hallway... heck, it would pretty much work anywhere!  AND it's on sale!  I was barely able to resist.

Look at what else I found - an assortment of animal hide rugs!  Remember my obsession with cow hide rugs that I posted about here??  That obsession is still alive and well my friends. I still want one for the dining room!  Not entirely sure if these are real, but if they weren't, they could have fooled me!

This drafting desk was just calling to me - I've never drafted a thing in my life, but I feel that I need this.  Of course, we have no where to put it, and it would provide zero storage (one of the musts for anything we bring into our tiny apartment), but its just SO COOL.

Don't even get me started on this bookshelf - Jenny of The Little Green Notebook featured it recently - painted grey I believe, but I actually love the dark wood.  And can we talk about that mini ladder??  I'm a tall gal at 5'8" (without heels) so the ladder would be kind of ironic, but I love it regardless.

Can you tell which part of this next vignette I'm loving??  If you guessed the headboard, you'd be right, but not the one you see in the back.  The cutesy buttons are not doing it for me, however, the headboard in the forefront - the one that is unfortunately covered up by all those "exotic" pillows, is just lovely.  I love the nail-head, and love that it's trimmed out in wood.

On to the accessories - I'm ALL ABOUT this weathered globe (everyone will surely think me worldly and well traveled), but have a feeling that I can find one of these at a Goodwill in the area...

And of course, the garden stools - does anyone actually use these as seating??  Doubtful... they don't look comfortable, but they are still so fab - especially the shiny gold one. Me likey :-)

And what did I find here?? The faux fur throws... which as we all know, I went home with.  I'm still trying to find the right spot for him to live - yes our faux fur throw is a "him".  Will he go in the living room, or the bedroom??  To be determined...

Does anyone else have any good finds they've stumbled upon recently??