Decorating your bedroom: Restoration Hardware v SFERRA & Scandia Down

I’ve got an interesting story to share. Comfy? My story starts last week when I went to Restoration Hardware to purchase their Italian sheets, which were 20% off. (I’m in their designer program, so I get 20% off all the time, except for sale items.)

Restoration Hardware’s Italian Sheets

I knew that SFERRA was also having a sale offering 10% off (same trade discount deal there). Even so, SFERRA is better quality, therefore I assumed their prices would be higher. Since Scandia Down is just across the street (the mall street), I figured it was worth a quick jaunt to check. I was glad I did.

Will someone wait on me please?

First, the saleswomen at Scandia Down are salespeople – not clerks. They know their products. And they sell a lot of different brands, so that’s saying something. They once helped me pull a difficult look together. It took a considerable amount of time to do. But they were happy to do it, and, in fact, had fun trying different things. This time was no different. Knowing that price was important, the saleswoman suggested SFERRA’s Grande Hotel sheets (details to come) and pulled out the samples. Having the color I wanted in hand, she took me and the sample back to Restoration for a comparison. Which brings me to Point A.

SFERRA’s Grande Hotel Sheets

I really don’t like shopping at Restoration because, if you can actually get someone to wait on you, they behave as if they’d rather not. They only thing they seem to know is the location of objects in the store. Help me mix and match things to create a look? FAIL.

The quality face-off

On to Point B – the quality and price comparison. Both brands were soft, but the stiching on the SFERRA sheets was superior. And the embroidered edging was fuller and more even. SFERRA wins on quality. Restoration’s sheets are sold as a set with pillowcases. I never use those, so I also buy shams ($79 each). Since SFERRA’s sheets are sold separately, they were the winner here as well – the prices were actually just about the same, but I’m not stuck with 2 pillowcases I’ll never use.

This is the end of my story. The moral is don’t make assumptions on price. And, be a salesperson, not a clerk.

Thoughts?

Design Hole Giveaway: Domino Magazine Interior Design Book

Yay! I’m kicking off the week with a great giveaway. The publishers of Domino Magazine gave me a copy of their Book of Decorating to pass along. See?

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Wasn’t that nice? It’s really a great book. It covers each room of the house….

and gives you tips on interior decorating the Domino way.

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There are tons of pictures and its chock-a-block full of ideas to steal, decorating tricks and small space solutions.

How do I win this book?!

Enough with the book review already! Everyone loves Domino. So, how do you enter to win? I’m dispensing with the chair-guessing quiz and keeping it simple. Just leave a comment with your favorite interior decorating idea. You can steal one, be serious and give us all a terrific idea, or make up something completely ridiculous. The latter is highly recommended but won’t help you win – this will be a random drawing.

The contest starts right now and ends this Thursday, June 4th at midnight EST. I’ll choose the winner at random and announce the winner on Friday morning.The contest is open to everyone world-wide. I don’t care where you live, I’ll pay for the postage. However, if you’re related to me you’re not allowed to enter. I’ll give you all the decorating advice you want for free.

Can I win a Design Hole tee shirt?

Why yes! I’m throwing in four Design Hole tees shirts. One to the grand prize winner and three to runners-up. I’ll write reminder posts this week. Comments left in any of the contest posts are eligible to win.

Enter now and good luck!

Balcones del Atl?°ntico

A new planned residential resort, Balcones del Atl?°ntico, is opening this summer in the Dominican Republic.

The homes and townhouses come furnished. Here’s a sneak peek at the interior designs by Patricia Reid Baquero.

Natural materials were used throughout. Spots of color come from the accessories and plants. I love the arrangement of plants and dishes set atop the hand-carved coffee table in the top-most photo. Not so great are the seashells on the oars. But the burst of blue is a hit with me.

I always like looking at beds for new ideas on how to dress them. I think I like the style on top the most. What do you think of the teal?

I’m a sucker for a beautiful beach sprinkled with palm trees.

Have you been the the Dominican Republic? And, who’s up for buying a beach house?

Get that look! Preppy Stripes, part one

Is your living room looking dull and drab? Does your life need a lift? Look no further! Design Hole has recreated a room especially for you.

I found this no-holds-barred bold room in a back issue of Domino and thought it would be fun to recreate it, with one eye on budget. Let’s see what I came up with.

Furniture & Paint

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To get this look, start with the paint. I chose colors from Pratt & Lambert: Cerise Delight, Cotton Rose, Noir, Pampas, and Nesika Bay. The stripe is so bold, you only need to cover one or two walls. Paint the others white, or Pampas green. For instructions on how to paint stripes click here.

The seating is from CB2 and Pottery Barn. But I chose an alternative ottoman from IKEA – only $129. You’ll have to make your own green slipcover, but it’s worth the savings.

• Movie Slipcovered Sofa ($1,199) from CB2
• Booth Arm Chair ($699) from CB2
• PB Comfort Ottoman ($699)from Pottery Barn
• Ektorp ottoman ($129)

Tables & Rug

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The difficulty in copying rooms is always the tables. That’s also what makes your room special. Check out estate sales for interesting white alternatives. Spring ’tis the season for yard sales, too.

• Chase Bench ($199) from Pottery Barn. Double up on the white version. They’ll fit nicely side by side.
• Rustic Block Table ($99) from West Elm. These go next to the chairs.
• Blanco Cubes ($249) go next to the sofas. From Crate & Barrel.
• Sisal Area Rug ($185) 5′ x 8′ at Natural Area Rugs – winner of the best bargain.

Stay tuned! I’ll finish this room tomorrow with the lighting, accessories and art. Until then, I have one question. What element do you think is the biggest waste of money?