High-Low Flatware Chandelier
Last year I featured the original Brocante Chandelier here at Design Hole. It was a popular item. Maybe designer, Jos?© Esteves would say a little too popular. Wisteria is featuring their own version.
Wisteria’s Call-To-Dinner
Let’s start with the knock-off, on the left. The Call-To-Dinner chandelier is 18″ in diameter and is made of black metal. The flatware is “based on old hotel flatware”. It holds a single, A-lamp in the center. The retail price is $349.
Jos?© Esteves’ Brocante
The original is made in France of stainless steel with vintage flatware with a hand-applied patina. It comes in various sizes and with several tiers. This one is 20″ in diameter. The Brocante chandelier is available at int?©rieurs, located on Franklin St. in New York. It retails for $1,995.
Which would you buy?
There are a lot of issues here that drive designers, and the manufacturers of their work, crazy. Do you pay for the original, knowing that you have the real thing that a designer worked hard on and is made of better materials? Or, do you save a lot of money and buy the less substantial version? At what point is the real thing no longer worth the extra money?
High – Low: Firescreens
Dahlings, a well-appointed fireplace is a must-have this holiday season. Check out my post on decorating the mantel. Then, make sure you’ve got the proper firescreen to complete your vision.
Do you want to spend a lot of money? Sometimes it’s worth it. Sometimes not. You decide.
High: La Forge Francaise $1,999
La Forge Francaise designs and builts beautiful, hand-wrought furnishings, including this Belier firescreen. It’s completely customizable. La Forge Francaise is available through the trade.
Low: Target $149.99
Target offers up the Catarine firescreen for a mere $149.99. It has a faux oxidized finish.
The looks are similar. The quality is lightyears apart. Which one would you prefer? Is it better to save for the higher quality product? Maybe we could add it to our wish lists.
High – Low Duvet Covers
Are your in-laws coming for Thanksgiving? Why not use their scrutinizing eyes as an excuse to spruce up the guest room. A good place to start is the bed. Why not consider an Indian print duvet cover?
You can choose one on a Recessionista budget, or splurge a bit. Let’s take a look at a couple of high/low options. Shall we?
High Indian Duvet Cover: $450
First up is from Les Indiennes. Their French Grey Yvette king sized duvet is made of their lightest weight organic cotton, hand block printed with natural dyes. It’s made in India.
Low Indian Duvet Cover: $109.99
Our low option comes from Saffron Marigold. Their Paisley au Lait king sized duvet cover is also a hand blocked print made in India. The black print reverses to another pattern on the other side. The fabric is pre-shrunk cotton, though not organic.
Which do you choose?
High – Low: Starburst Mirrors
Tonic Home has a splendid selection of starburst mirrors, which are tr?©s cool right now, (and always, quite frankly). The Louis Starburst version, on the left, comes in two finishes and features leaf-like spears. It measures 30″ in diameter. Channing Gold, a gold-toned mirror, measures 48″ in diameter. Which would you pay more for?
No peeking.
The mirror on the left sells for $360. The gold mirror retails for $840. Both are great. But one is a real deal.
