| Copy Cat Chic | chic for cheap: May 2011

Z Gallerie Carved Sanctuary Panel

>> Tuesday, May 31, 2011

This post brought to you by rockstar reader: Vel!

Z Gallerie's Carved Sanctuary Panel = $899

Amazon's Benzara Set of 3 Hand Carved Wood Wall Panels Sculpture = $222.28

Nelson Marshmallow Sofa

>> Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Memorial Day! I hope you all are out enjoying the holiday :) But if you're not here's a funky find for you.

The Nelson Marshmallow Sofa...you either love it or you hate it. Is it for you? If it is, you'll love this find!

DWR's Nelson Marshmallow Sofa = $3,299 + $215 shipping = $3,514

Regency Shops Marshmallow Sofa = $699 + $199 shipping = $898

Anthropologie Illusorio Cabinet

>> Friday, May 27, 2011

Here's a little gorgeousness to brighten up your Friday! Have a great holiday weekend folks :)

Anthropologie's Illusorio Cabinet = $1,698

Teva Living's Aleria Mid Sideboard Salvaged Wood = $795

Chic Chick Home Tour: Alexandra - Luisa Designs

>> Thursday, May 26, 2011

I have a special treat for you folks. It's been awhile since I've done a post in my Chic Chick (Chap) series. When I saw pictures of this Copy Cat Chic reader's home, I just had to share them with you!

Alexandra is Copy Cat Chic at it's finest. I love how she's decorated her home with personal touches and cheap finds. She really has an eye for combining vintage finds with modern pieces. Check out her blog, Luisa Design for more details!

Hello, Copy Cat Chic readers! I'm so honored that Reichel is featuring my apartment here on one of my favorite blogs. My fiancée and I moved in together two years ago after graduating college and this is our second apartment. Copy Cat Chic was one of the first blogs I started reading as I became increasingly obsessed with interior design, and it was the one that gave me the confidence that I could put together a beautiful home with an almost nonexistent budget.

As recent college grads in a terrible economy, this space necessitated a whole new definition of "designing on a budget." When we moved into it about 6 months ago, we knew that we needed to work with what we had from our first apartment (decorated almost exclusively from craigslist) with minimal additions. Through a combination of craigslist, flea markets, DIY projects, and budget buys – many found on Copy Cat Chic! – we managed to put together a space that makes both of us happy.

Our one-bedroom apartment is about 500 square feet, so every decision was carefully thought out to make the best use of our space. The "entry" is barely bigger than the 2x3 rug that's in it, but with some determination and lots of careful measuring we managed to built a skirted console table that fits perfectly in the space. The one yard of fabric I needed for the skirt was by far the most expensive element; the lamps were a Copy Cat Chic find at Target (actually purchased on sale for $7 each) and everything else is from Homegoods, Urban Outfitters, and Goodwill.

Our living/dining room is an amalgam of styles, combining mid-century classics with antiques, Moroccan pieces, and a dash of preppy color. Perhaps the design world has had enough of zig zag rugs, but seeing this view when I walk in the door every day still makes me smile:

Of course the zig zag rug is another Copy Cat Chic find. At $250 with a 20% off coupon, it's the second-most expensive thing in the room, but even my fiancée loves it! The table is an antique sofa table that I bought, along with the dresser to the left, at my favorite flea market. Knockoff Panton chairs (also craigslisted) accentuate the lines of the table and provide a modern element.

Appropriating pieces for alternative uses is a necessity in a small space. We couldn't fit our dresser in the bedroom, but in the living room it makes a fantastic sideboard, topped with my favorite lamp ($13 from Goodwill) and a bar tray. A set of brass nesting tables from Craigslist live next to the dresser but are often used as temporary coffee tables, since there isn't room in front of the couch for a full-sized table. And although I'm proud of every wonderful deal I've gotten and attached to every piece of furniture, by far the most precious thing in the room is the large-scale print on the wall, given to me as a gift by the artist, a family friend.

The other half of the room is the "living" area, with a small couch (Room and Board via Craigslist, the most expensive piece of furniture in our apartment at $400) and a fantastic inlaid Syrian chair. I sewed the geometric pillows on the couch from napkins and also made both the large drawing propped on the mantel and the subway scroll (which may now be ubiquitous, but after hand-painting all those letters I'm loath to replace it!).

The three campaign-style bookshelf units were also found on Craigslist, in not-ideal condition). After a coat of white paint and some polishing, they fit the space beautifully - and, since they're deep enough to hold two rows of books on each shelf, we can fit almost our entire collection!

My concept for the bedroom started with an obsession with dark walls and a fantastic but shabby Chinese screen found on Craigslist for only $25. Everything in the bedroom, from furniture to linens to accessories, cost about $500 total!

I'm sure most of you recognize the DIY Ikea nightstands; instead of staining them brown like many other bloggers, I chose to paint them a glossy black, and replaced the screen's edging with black and gold greek key trim. The lamps and bedding (another Copy Cat Chic feature!) are from Target, and I recovered the tufted ottoman myself with neutral ikat fabric bought online.

I think most people gravitate toward light, calming colors and cozy textures in the bedroom, but I wanted to make myself go a little bit outside my comfort zone and create a space that felt a little more glamorous and striking.

Pink bathrooms are a rental-apartment plague, but ours has the distinction of being the only one I've seen featuring forest green floral wallpaper. The two main rooms of the apartment had clearly been recently (beautifully) renovated, so the time-capsule state of the bathroom was slightly baffling. After living with it for about a month, I decided that – since we plan to be here for a few years – having a bathroom that didn't make me cringe was worth the possible loss of our security deposit.

After taking the plunge and tearing down the wallpaper, we found out that we in fact have the best landlord ever; he was only waiting for the apartment to be vacant long enough to renovate the bathroom, and he's agreed to redo the bathroom – with my choice of fixtures! – while we visit family and friends this summer.

In the meantime, I've actually come to accept - even, almost, like - our pepto-bismol bathroom. Filling it with lots of simple white and grey elements with elegant chrome accents has made it a sophisticated and tranquil space.

I hope you guys enjoyed Alexandra's home tour. I think it's just fabulous! And personally? I love that vintage pink bathroom, it has so much personality and she's made it into a classy boudoir ;)

If you would like to be featured in my Chic Chick (or Chap) Series, feel free to email me!

Curtains Complete Me - A Copy Cat Chic Contest!

>> Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Curtains complete a room, that's just the way it is. The wrong curtain can bring a good room down a notch or two (or three or four). So we all know how important it is to pick just the right drape. I've actually designed rooms around curtains before...my dining room in fact! I matched the paint color to the drapes I already had on hand.

The ugly truth is curtains, drapes, shades, etc are expensive. And to add insult to injury, rooms sometimes have more than one window; it adds up! Well despair no longer, I'm thrilled to announce that I've partnered with Curtainworks to rescue you from your curtain depression. Five lucky winners are going to have their rooms outfitted in their choice of any of Curtainworks curtains offered on their website. They have quite the selection - there's something for everyone. Pretty awesome I must admit!

How to enter? Submit a comment below with a picture of your room in need and join in the fun (complete details below). Next week entries will be whittled down to the cream of the crop and voted upon by...YOU! The five entries with the most votes will win! Ready...set...GO!

Prize

New curtains of your choice for one room in your home provided by Curtainworks.

To Enter

Leave a comment on this blog post (not on Facebook or by email)

and include your name and describe why you deserve curtains.

Attach a picture(s) of the room you'd like curtains for.

(Remember quality counts and please use pictures to tell your story!)

Next include the name or link to the curtains you'd choose

from Curtainworks.com to complete the room.

Make sure you can be linked back or include your email address to be contacted if you're the winner!

I've been using Disqus for my blog comments and I've had a few issues with comments not showing up. To make sure your comment has been submitted correctly, check out the picture below.

Here is the comment form:

Number of Winners

Five

Contest Schedule

5.25.11 - 6.1.11 - Submit your entry.

6.2.11 - Top entries will be chosen.

6.2.11 - 6.9.11 - Selected entries will be posted and voted upon by readers.

6.10.11- Winners announced!

6.24.11 - Follow-up post with pictures of Curtainworks curtains in the room.

The Fine Print

Giveaway open to U.S. readers only.

One entry per household.

Winners agree to submit pictures of completed room with Curtainworks curtains.

Maximum amount for each of prize is $300.

Layla Grace Caesar Charcoal Hand Tufted Wool Rug

This post brought to you by: Riley Slitor

Gorgeous rug, loving the gray tones!

Layla Grace's Caesar Charcoal Hand Tufted Wool Rug (8'x11') = $908

Costco's Amelia Rug (8'x11') = $479.99

Arden | 3 Months

>> Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Little Arden is three months old! Everyone always tells you how time flies with baby, but it's so true. The first three months are hard, but rewarding, so worth it! Can't wait to see what the next three months brings. She's changing so much everyday, it's so fun to watch!

Arden is wearing the adorable Pink Panther dress c/o Shabby Apple. Isn't it adorable? It's a little big right now, but it will be the perfect summer dress! Arden's shoes were handmade in Peru and were a sweet gift from a friend.

Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair

Who doesn't love streamlined modern look of the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair. It's a piece of baby furniture that doesn't look like baby furniture - an aspect that I love! It also is so functional, lasting waaay longer than your usual highchair. At $229.50, it's not outrageously expensive, but for those of you (like me) always out for a deal, I've found a great alternative!

Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair (base only) = $229.50

The Keekaroo has the same traits (can hold up to 250lbs!) as the Tripp Trapp and it's cheaper! It's also very eco-friendly; made from sustainable rubberwood stained with a plant based lacquer with no lead and environmentally safe low VOCs. What's not to love?

Keekaroo's Height Right High Chair with Infant Insert + Tray with Tray Cover = $189.95

Serena & Lily Pondicherry Headboard

>> Monday, May 23, 2011

This post brought to you by: Jenny from Jenny Lauren Photography

This elegant headboard makes is the perfect backdrop for fun patterned bedding or bold colors in the bedroom. The shape is unique and not too feminine; so perfect for the master bedroom.