Decorating & Design
April 25, 2019
How Would A Designer Spend $5,000 To Transform A Space?
Calgary designer Reena Sotropa breaks down how she would use $5,000 to give her home office a spring refresh.
I love to show my clients how a room can be transformed seasonally with few simple but strategic changes. I think the lounge area of my office is the perfect space to illustrate this concept.
If I had $5,000 to add a dose of spring to this space, I would start by ordering a classic white twill slipcover for the grey mohair sofa for $1,050 (I used this website as a pricing reference).
Next, I’d swap out the 8 by 10 wool and silk Tai Ping area rug for a simple bound natural sisal rug like this breezy one for $670.
I would spend $33 on accent pillows — like this textured blush pillow…
… or this graphic cushion — to visually link the new crisp white slipcovered sofa with the existing upholstered pieces.
I would freshen up the coffee table scheme with this pretty faux stone tray for $10…
…to contain a trio of fresh succulents for $12.
A sweet little $15 brass bird on the side table would finish off the vignette (and my accessory budget) nicely. Unfortunately, this particular sculpture is sold out, but I found this wooden one (above) that looks similar for $35.
I would jump at the chance to exchange the four leather dining chairs for these cane rattan chairs, which I have been crushing on for some time now. The $3,200 would be a splurge, but I think they would be a game changer for the area.
This particular chair isn’t in stock anymore, but I found something similar for $399 on Shop House & Home. The rattan would tie in the natural tones of the sisal rug and they are the perfect spring-y complement to the Saarinen table.
With my last $10, I’d run down to the market and grab a few bunches of my favorite spring blooms for the dining table — tulips!