Can You Mix High and Low?

Style at Home Magazine has a feature article each month called “High or Low…Can you Tell the Difference?” and I love testing myself to see if I can determine which one is which.  Often, I get it right, and the way I can tell is by looking at the finishing details on the furniture, or the look of the fabrics.  I’m able to do this because my design training (and my personality) has taught me to look for those details, but many people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.   Here is an example of an elegant dining room from the magazine:

The photo on the left is the high cost room.  Can you spot the differences? For me, the dead give-away is the side chair because it has more detail on the legs (the one on the left has detail on the back legs whereas the one shown in the photo below has plain back legs).  The other tip-off is that there have been two different fabrics used on the chair (one on the seat and one on the outside back).  Also, the fabric on the left looks like a silk damask, whereas the one below looks like a plainer less expensive fabric has been used.  (Note:  when you use two different fabrics on one chair it will always increase the cost of the upholstery!)

When I’m decorating I really like to combine both high and low products. In this high/low example, I actually prefer the less expensive, smaller scale and less ornate chairs, and I don’t think you can tell that the accessories are less expensive, either.  (Except for that little red candle in the photo to the right.   I would have used another smaller glass hurricane to make a better grouping rather than use this red candle which is too small and doesn’t relate to anything else!)

It’s important, however, that you don’t try to save money at the cost of comfort or longevity, especially if the products will be used on a daily basis. You won’t be happy if your less expensive chairs are terribly uncomfortable, so it’s good to know when to spend and when to save.

Here’s an example of some inexpensive accessories placed on an expensive coffee table in a living room I recently designed:

Room Design by Lesley Arnould, Embellished Interiors

Photo by Trevor Brady

The table will be in this living room for a long time to come, but the accessories can be changed out as the need or desire arises because they didn’t cost a lot.

If you would like help deciding when to save and when to splurge, call Embellished Interiors for a consultation.