Mixing High and Low Decor Home reflects my style and lifestyle so it’s not for everyone. How you live, spend, and save is unique to YOU afterall. How much should you spend on a ____? It’s subjective. My frugality goes way back to growing up with little to when my husband and I racked up mortgage-sized student loan debt from graduate school. But I’ll splurge when it’s a smart investment. Let’s peek inside our home with its serene, modern, spare European country look. A few finds are inexpensive while others are pricey. All bring a sense of calm to the mix.
High and Low Decor Mix at Home
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An Everyday Essential Splurge: Honeydew Sheets
I don’t blog often enough about sheets. They are truly unsung heroes of the everyday!
And I like mine to be bright white and ultra-luxurious.
My thought is, if we’re gonna curl up in them for one third of the day, every single day, why not choose wisely and invest?
Why should pretty coverlets and quilts get all the glory when they aren’t even comforting the skin or enhancing slumber as much as sheets?
When you’re ready for a set that is anything but everyday variety, say hello lovely to splurge-y Honeydew sheets. If you’re someone who wonders how you can sleep cool (cool like the “totally cool other side of the pillow”), these may be the luxurious answer.
Everyday Essential Splurge #2: Pajamas
Never met a pair of men’s classic style pajamas I didn’t love.
I already have these linen pjs below in white, but I’m very tempted to pull the trigger on the French Blue – so elegant!
I also love the Positano linen robe in white:
I may own every pair of pajamas J. Crew offers, and sometimes will wear the tops as clothing if I’m feelin’ saucy. Here’s the pair I reach for most often.
Ever see the Daniel Day Lewis film Phantom Thread?
There’s a scene where he glides down the stairs for dinner in an ensemble with a pajama top that is thrilling for pajamanistas. It’s the little things! And the surprising combinations. In the history of film and pajamas, no one has ever worn sleepwear better.
#3: Pillow of Pillows
You already know their pillow is going to be something special when you visit the Honeydew site and learn about the attention they pay to the details. The fact they’re thoughtfully made in the USA with a unique design to support neck and shoulders? Goodness overload.
But then. You actually experience the level of artisan quality! It seals the whole scrumptious deal.
you: YER TELLIN ME THIS PILLOW WON’T GO FLAT?
me: Indeed. We have owned ours for years.
you: BUT WHAT IF IT’S TOO MUCH FILL?
me: Honeydew made the toxin-free fill and pillow customizable. Add more fluff. Subtract fluff. Be totally Mid like me and love the optimal fluffy factor right out of the box, with no need to tweak.
If you saw this lifestyle post with chronic health reflections at end, you know I plan to get away this winter and will bring my Honeydew travel pillow (see it below, center). Any plans to travel in the coming weeks? This smart pillow with its clever pouch is ready to travel with you. Just seeing it in my closet gets me psyched to road trip. I don’t even care where we head down the road, as long as pillow and bestie are there.
#4: Adult Sippy Mug
I need each and every nudge from the universe to remind me to hydrate. This double walled insulation cup is the ultimate adult sippy cup. No, madame, all lidded mugs are not created equal. They just aren’t. Mine holds iced coffee or green tea more than plain water…but baby steps.
#5: Mid-Day Yum
Heard of these? My fav may be the blood orange & honey. Pop one from its wrapper when 2 p.m. rolls ’round and all you’re thinking about is second lunch.
#6: Daily Skin Routine
In case you have yet to receive the memo…I’m a fan of skin glowing naturally with and without makeup across the seasons. Here’s a routine that does luxurious work on my sensitive, often inflamed skin. Plant-powered and without gimmicks, it’s set apart.
Oak Essentials is in demand so if THE ROUTINE is in stock, snag it since it could disappear for months when they have to make more.
You can also buy the products individually, but there’s significant savings with the bundle.
#7: Spa Cloths
Can’t say enough nice things about these lovely, hard working, multi-use cloths used morning and night to cleanse my face. Technically burp cloths, they can also be used for household cleaning, and I have come to rely on them. Don’t freak out when they arrive and don’t seem fluffy. Once they are washed and emerge from the dryer…dreamy.
Everyday Simplicity & Decor Serenity at Home
If you blinked and missed it, I shared our family room and how we made it feel more like home with simple changes.
Sofas in the family room are a shining example of saving and splurging! Ikea Ektorp sofas wear luxurious Belgian linen custom slipcovers from BEMZ. A brand new fireplace surround with limestone or marble would have cost a small fortune.
Instead, we transformed it with paint and subtraction, removing the glass bifold doors. The reclaimed wood and iron coffee table is a bit of a splurge from RH, but one that doesn’t sting any longer since we bought it 15 years ago. Our small living room is just steps past a pocket door from the family room:
See a short video I snapped:
This glimpse of the kitchen is indicative of splurges and saves in a single mix.
The Thomas O’Brien chandelier is the big ticket splurge while a collection of old English crocks from the flea market and new trays from Crate & Barrel charm without breaking the bank.
The Couristan area rug was a bargain ($120) found at Homegoods.
And invisible window treatments? Free free free!
Sometimes in photos, my quartz countertops (Viatera Muse) look solid white…
But they have lots of movement with grey veining in an airy, non-busy pattern.
When the Line Blurs Between High and Low
Not sure how you would characterize the choice of calacatta gold marble tile for the backsplash. While a backsplash is often a great place to splurge, it can get pricey when you are tiling more than the standard 18″ beneath cabinetry.
For our kitchen, we took the tile up to the level of the range hood. We also repeated the tile in the backsplashes of the laundry and pantry areas. Lots of marble! This house just can’t get enough white marble, and I refuse to argue with its wishes.
Did you notice I brought my rattan chairs indoors to use them in the family room?
They work everywhere should you need a bit of texture, and grey rattan is not always the easiest color to find!
It’s always fun to use old things in new ways after a move. These stools have lived life as tables, dining stools, and now, my piano stool.
A big splurge at our former home which we renovated completely were the white oak floors finished on site by an artisan. No regrets on such a splurge! The value seems only to increase over time.
Should you splurge on throw pillows?
I would recommend being more concerned that they are made from natural materials like cotton and linen. If you find quality at Homegoods, go for it.
The lantern pendant in our former dining room only looks like a splurge. It’s actually an exterior light from Home Depot that cost around $100.
Lighting is one of those essentials with a broad range of price points, yes? Sometimes you can understand straight away why a lamp is expensive, but often, the inexpensive knockoffs make a strong case for not overspending.
Homebody Types are Often Introverts
Wholehearted Wishes
I wish you:
the blessing of beautiful living in the shelter you call home,
sweetness, this very moment, to counter any bitterness within your being,
heart-fullness to soften the beautiful edges of your soul,
loving kindness, lavishly overflowing from hidden wholeness within and…
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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