- Sep 23, 2024
- 4 min read
This idea came about due to two things -
One - Many of the things I see in editorial are wildly expensive and out of reach for me and, I imagine, some of you. That being said, I have no anger towards such items; furniture is always going to be expensive, and good furniture should be expensive as a huge amount goes into those pieces. Nevertheless, I can’t afford them and sometimes find that a little disheartening,
Two - I do believe we rely too heavily on internet retailers; those whose products get shipped over and within two weeks are falling apart. When I moved into my first flat, I bought some really hideous pieces of furniture, one of which I still shiver at the thought of some shelves from La Redoute which were so badly made if you moved them a cm the whole thing would collapse. I wish I had been brave and searched for pieces that would have heartened our flat. But I was making a very small amount of money and was rather nervous about the process of buying antiques.
Fast forward ten years, and my house is filled with pieces like the ones below. Each piece is at least 50 years old, and none of them were expensive. Many people will enter my house and think it looks like a mess, which it does, but it is interesting and unique. You couldn't just copy and paste it (nor would many of you want to).
Dining Room & Kitchen Schemes Where Each Piece Is Under £500
N.B - A few things to note, none of these pieces are to scale. Yes some items are better value than others but everything is under £500. If you are worried about couriers Shiply and Proovia work very well. If you like the idea, I’d love to do more, just let me know. Deafening silence will speak volumes.
My Design For A Rather Odd but Doable Sitting Room.
This sitting room is either in London or some other city dwelling I don’t think it could work in the country as the sofa is not one for lounging. Sofa’s under £500 are not easy to come by so I went for one that passed the visual test rather than the butt test. All the seats in this room have been bought purely on their visual chops. The armchair for me is quite the most beautiful thing, I would upholster in something terribly dull but I am sure one of you has better imagination than I. I know the coffee table is odd but it feeds into what I was saying above, one needs a little joy a hint of frivolity. Too chic is too boring.
Clockwise (ish) from the poster in the middle
The Good Design Club, Vintage Italian Faux Tortoiseshell Lucite Wastepaper Basket c1970s - 80s, £245
My Design For A Country Kitchen.
As always, my inspiration for this kitchen is Robert Kime, which I hope wouldn't have offended him too much. As you will know, I have no beef with brown furniture. Yes, there are pieces that can make one feel physically sick, but on the whole, those deep, worn browns can give the room a little gravitas. My favourite find was the 18th Century Georgian Dresser Top, which I think would look marvellous, along with a few pieces from your cabinet of curiosities. This sink was inspired by Lou O’Learys Kitchen in Deal. When dealing with a heft amount of antiques, you must lift it with some sharp chrome. As anyone worth the salt will know, the interior’s obsession with chairs is real. I don’t know many people who haven’t overly invested in chairs. So, I took the opportunity and avoided buying a set and instead picked and mixed and indulged in the Arts & Crafts and 19th-century. All I want to do is finish dinner around that table, with wine in hand, dimmed lights, and vast amounts of laughter. No phones allowed.
Clockwise (ish) from the Clock (naturally)
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