ABC Home | Quest For the Nest

I had a colleague call me to task the other day. We were talking about shoes I think? Or it might have been gowns, or furniture or something of monumental importance to me. Don’t judge me because I have momentarily forgotten which of these things it was – they are all extremely important, and were it not for the shear number of brands, furnishings, materials and projects, which require my attention, I would be able to tell you precisely which one it was. It will all come back – fear not – and it’s beside the point anyway. What he wanted to know was the percentage of people that could identify the high end from the low? Really good question Mark. I had to admit that it was few and far between. Why then do I do it? Well, the answer is I do it sometimes, and sometimes I don’t. AND I notice.

Left: Serena and Lily . Metallic Hemp & Suede . 8′ x 10′ $698. Right: World Market . Gray Metallic Woven Jute Alden Area Rug . 6′ x 9′ $199.

A mon Avis, the trick is to mix high and low together in one space. Vintage and new, antique and mid-cent knock-off, art of your own creation with a prized Picaso. Comb the beach for a shell, rock, or sculptural piece of drift wood. Find an old sign and spray paint it gold or matte black – it snuggle it in, among other shiny objectives making it a distinguished focal point.

Left: ABC Carpet . Color Reform . 4’1″ x 6′ $1200. Right: West Elm . Caspian Rug Overdyed 6′ x 9′ $899.

I do love finding a good bargain – but it must in fact be good. It’s so disappointing when you spend money on something that falls apart – in whatever predetermined timeframe I’ve decided the item should last. So be it, I have a 1950’s concept of how things should be made. They should last!

ABC Carpet . Nazarene 4′ x 6’2″ $800.

So carpets. I’ve found some that I believe are simple lovely replicas of the original – though who arrived there first is always up for debate. Perhaps it’s more apt to say – the higher cost version – which implies better quality, but isn’t always the case. I think these are worth the gamble, and if I wasn’t the gambling type I wouldn’t be doing this quest.