Do I ever ‘fake it’? Of course I do! And I love to share how I do it, so you can too.
Oh this is a great episode of the podcast! LISTEN BELOW.
So how do you fake high end decor? There are a lot of tricks and here are just a few.
Paint something resin to make it look like wood.
I’m not a fan of some resin pieces. Sometimes they just look like plastic to me. So what if you could buy something that has a great shape, a not so great color, and is cheap, then transform it into something amazing? That’s what I did, and I think it looks amazing now. This candlestick was about $20 at the thrift store.
CLICK HERE for step by step instructions.
Re-purpose old things in a new way
I’ve got some old embroidery hoops so I need to try this! Yvonne of Stone Gable transformed some old hoops into these gorgeous orbs. You could make these in several different sizes too. Buying the hoops is probably much cheaper than buying the orbs.
Orbs out of embroidery hoops CLICK HERE for details.
Photo credit: Stone Gable
Add trim to something you have
You can add trim to something you have. The lamp below CLICK HERE came with a dated lampshade. I used this lampshade that came with the beads, but you could add beads to an old lampshade .You could do this with curtains or pillows. And instead of beads, you could use ball fringe, or even lace.
Add gold leaf
Adding gold leaf makes almost anything look high end. I think the trick is to not go overboard. As you can see I added it in small doses to the bathroom vanity. For instructions, CLICK HERE.
Add a showstopper and mix with lower-end things
A little bit of high-end stuff goes a long way. People often assume if one piece is expensive that everything in the room is expensive. So why not take one show stopper piece, then add less expensive items to the room? To see this piece i place, CLICK HERE.
Use simple patterns
It’s counter-intuitive I know, but simpler is often better. When you use simple patterns it adds a high-end, quiet elegance to the room. CLICK HERE for more.
What do you do to achieve a high-end look?
Good ideas
All good ideas. Love to see gold leaf – especially when it appears a bit faded.
Have a good week !
I use high/low in decor all the time. Something someone has passed on found in a hunt and seek shop can be a perfect addition to my decor. I’ve found treasures in the weirdest places, sometimes even by the roadside!
I love your ideas.
Wonderful tips…where did you find the Angel wings?
Thank you for all your tips. Decorating does not take alot of money, but imagination and thinking outside the box. In this day and age, with nothing “matchy-matchy” and “rust & dust” the “in” thing, one can go outside the “box” to decorate. Garage sales where we have so much excess is a good place, painted furniture so popular, decorating never got easier.
OMG!!!! Wow I love love love the Light Violet gingham duvets at the end of the twin beds!! I am crazy about that
color!!!!
You inspire me! I recently bought an iron “flower cage” on sale for 50% off. It had great lines and was a good size for a centerpiece on my dining table. I added a bit of silver gilt here and there and used gray chalk paint to transform a chunky brass candlestand to put inside. Adding the candlestand gives the candle the height it needed and adds visual weight at the bottom. My $10 looks more high end now!
I do whatever you tell me to do! So far, so good! Now quit torturing me with that little lavender flower pot!!!!!?
Ha Ginger! I wonder where you could find one online. If it makes you feel any better, it was really overpriced.
Yeah, that actually does help a little! LOL, alot!
Love all those great tips..
These are great tips! My favorite is the bathroom vanity with touches of gold leaf. I had an epic fail with gold leaf (gilding) a couple of months ago. But, I’m determined to give it another try. I think you’re right that small doses of gold leaf are the key to achieving a high end look.
Lots of great ideas, always interested in adding style to our home. You have great talent Anita.
Don’t have tried and true formula for making items look better, just study on what it is, do some research and go with it. If it feels right then I do it. Am spontaneous crafter/ decorator, usually works best for me.
These are great ideas. I can’t wait to try some of them!
Great tips, I love to find things at the thrift store and give them a makeover. Thanks for linking up to #HomeMattersParty