You may have seen decorating shows like Sensible Chic or Double Take that show you how to create the look and feel of a designer room at a fraction of the cost. These shows are great, not only because they help us achieve the look we want at a reasonable price, but also because they teach us how to pay stricter attention to detail.
You may not even want your space to look just like the designer room, but you may have found inspiration in the design plan that you can use in your own home. It is the details that are important, including style, scale, color, theme, and texture.
For example, you may not want to duplicate the entire room, but maybe you love the way a certain piece looks, or the way it is accessorized. All you have to do is find a piece that is a similar style and scale, because you can always change the finish to give it a similar appearance. You can also mimic the accessories by choosing less expensive copies or knock offs. This generally means opting for more affordable materials, which often means using synthetics.
Synthetic silks will create a similar look to real silks, but they are far less expensive and easier to obtain. Wooden pieces don’t necessarily have to be mahogany to be beautiful, they can be stained to look like mahogany. Antique pieces don’t have to be heirlooms in order to inspire, because there are many gorgeous reproductions available to make this look more affordable.
Even artwork can be duplicated, either by purchasing select fine art prints, or by mimicking the style of a favorite artist.
You can also create your own artwork. You do not have to include priceless pieces in your decor to achieve a rich, elegant feel.
Working from images of designer rooms is a great way to get inspired, but the look and feel you can achieve may be even better. This is true because you are able to reflect some of your own personality in the space, and because you can create a gorgeous room without spending a fortune.