Hello and happy Friday! I love Fridays and for the next three weeks and possibly beyond, I’m going to give you another reason to love Fridays with How Much For This Room? – a fun new series on decor8 that will take you into a room and break down each item listing price and source along with a grand total for the entire space. Yay!
For the first three weeks Calgary-based interior decorator, artist, and photographer Lori Andrews, aka the 10-Cent Designer, will walk us through some client spaces starting with her own living room shown below. Lori and her husband Ken are just starting their fifth year in a charming 100-year-old 1,100 square foot home in a vibrant neighborhood in Calgary. They love their home and enjoy completing a new renovation project each year and love to mix in a few more “permanent” furniture items, too. Living close downtown, Ken is able to walk to work and Lori is minutes away from the shops she does business with for her Interior Design projects. They have no plans to move on to something bigger or to a fancier neighborhood, “it feels good to buck the environmentally disastrous trend of over scaled houses and suburban acreages”. Their neighborhood is full of young families and an eclectic mix of people and cultures. You can view Lori’s entire home here on Flickr.
Lori’s living room.
When we lust for rooms in Elle Decor or Dwell we can easily forget that costs can go into the thousands for such spaces, some into the ten and hundred thousand dollar range for a single room. Oh yes. Lori and I both agree that television shows and magazines can often mislead when it comes to how much rooms really cost to design. You see a space, try to recreate it according to your budget, and sometimes fall flat wondering why your living room doesn’t look like the one that inspired you from the magazine. On the flipside, lots of us watch shows that miraculously pull together a dream room under $1000 and while it can be done if you have a hunky carpenter at your disposal building custom furniture at no charge and a seamstress doing all the window coverings and upholstery work for free, that’s not real world design. It’s also important to note that most shows play with the numbers so the rooms you see aren’t always “under budget”. Lori and I discussed these points just this week so I have to credit her for the idea to try out this new column.
One thing of many that I respect about Lori is that she shops local for the most part, “I prefer to spend my dollars in my own city. I have built good relationships with my suppliers and while I often am not assured of getting the “cheapest” price, I am confident in their customer service and in the fact that part of my money stays local.” Lori is also a lover of handmade and prefers quality over quantity, “I prefer to buy Canadian artisans and design whenever possible”. I am also happy to buy “antiques and retro items” online. Lori’s furnishings are a mix of mid range pricing and quality and entry level IKEA, seconds and Pottery Barn) quality and pricing. Her signature pieces are heading into the luxury range and the art that her and her husband purchase is by mid career artists.
What you’re seeing:
1. Sofa from Montauk wood frame custom 6 foot size $6000. 2. Painting, Margaux Williamson bought at Skew Gallery Calgary $3000. 3. Floor Lamp Gerald Thurston Three Leg lamp for Lightolier purchased through 1stdibs.com from Fat Chance $1000. 4. Pillows Judy Ross cushions purchased from Kit Interior Objects $200 each (2). 5. Plastic cow head purchased from Home Sense $35. 6. Side table, Saarinen marble purchased from Kit Interior objects $650. 7. Stool, recycled teak purchased years ago for $350. 8. Leather cowhide purchased from Buckskin Leather $290. 9. Silk chevron cushion purchased in SF at Krimsa $500. 10. White Credenza, IKEA Bonde $400. 11. Trevor Mahovsky drawing $500 (market price). 12. Mirror orange filagree $260 at Steeling Home. 13. Bowl large handmade natural bowl by artist Chris Faulkner purchased at Kit Interior Objects $300. 14. Vase small handmade white artist Tyler Fritz purchased from Kit Interior Objects $140. 15. Noguchi Table Lamp Model 1A purchased from Kit Interior Objects $100. 16. small Gold vase Jonathan Adler $65. 17. Wall Sconces from Robinson lighting and Bath originally by Tech lighting no longer available but some just like it are available here at Jesco lighting $300. 18. Artifort Orange chair from Kit Interior Objects $3000. 19. Desk from Pottery barn bedford modular desk components $1000. 20. Lamp on desk by Jielde $500. 21. Computer 24″ iMac $2000. 22. Gold vase made by artist Tyler Fritz $140 purchased at Kit Interior Objects. 23. Vase and Plant $100 from Sunnyside Home & Garden. 24. Small wooden vessel $65 from Country Furniture. 25. Saarinen tulip chair $1000 from Kit Interior Objects. 26. Painted storage chest from Pier 1 Imports $300. 27. Magnetic board IKEA $10. 28. Mohair Jonathan Adler Bench approximately $2,350. 29. Small blue polished stone coasters $20. 30. Custom gray boxed cushion $300. 31. Blue Asian silk cushion$120. 32. Flooring Kahrs Ash floors installed by contractor with new subfloor $4333. for this area of living space, 33. World map desk pad $16.95 from Map Town. 34. Blue leather/brass tack footstool $800 from Soho + Nada. 35. Sheepskin $89 from Buckskin Leather.
Grand total- $30,433.95 (not including track lights, speakers, back up drive, paint or window coverings).
In addition to Lori’s help on this column over the next three weeks, I want to recruit fellow bloggers, designers, and readers who have a space that they would like to break down here on decor8. Budget spaces are welcome, high end, mid range, a variety is good. If you want to participate, please send me one clear image of your room shot in daylight to holly AT decor8blog.com for consideration.
Any questions for Lori? Please comment below!
(photography by lori andrews)
Tags: how much for this room
February 6th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Hi! I was wondering where the tracklights are from?
February 6th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
I’m crazy about that orange filagree mirror! What a great find.
Little Paper Dogs last blog post: i really don’t need one …
February 6th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
love that shot from above! it gives a really great sense of the space. I wish more people would do it, but it’s definitely easier in some places than others…
I wonder how long they have been acquiring this furniture. 5 years? 10?
February 6th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
What a beautiful room! Love the rest of the house too (photos on Flickr). Thanks for sharing!
February 6th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I follow Lori on Flickr and her interiors are to die for! They are so well composed, but still liveable. I love it! I am so inspired by her home and her projects.
Allisons last blog post: {For Sale} Paper Source Envelopes & Bulk Paper
February 6th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Fun to see her living room from above. Nice style.
Malenes last blog post: Copenhagen Fashion Week, part 1
February 6th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
This is an awesome feature, I’m really looking forward to seeing more like this!
February 6th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
the track lights came with the home. We changed out the fixtures to the disc shape you see. They are from Ikea. Eventually we want to upgrade but it isn’t a priority.
February 6th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I’m going to love this over the next few weeks!
Our dining-room-turned-study is almost complete and now I’m working on the living room and this new series will be great. I hope you continue it for more than a month.
Thank you!
Taylors last blog post: More Selling Venues – Thank you, rainbowswirlz! (click me)
February 6th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Lovely room (and a great idea for a post).
So nice to see a Calgary designer (I live in Calgary)!!
My favorites (besides the windows!) are the orange mirror and the Saarinen table. My tastes run much more traditional, but this is a very lovely, spirited and still relaxing space!
Nice to see some of the local sources also. Is the Jonathan Adler from the internet or purchased in Calgary?
Terri
Terris last blog post: ~ Our Home Office: Debut! ~
February 6th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
this is a GREAT idea for a (hopefully regular) feature. as someone who is about to start decorating a new (old) home, i love seeing what people spend on their spaces. often our choices are, at least in part, determined by price and time constraints. it’s nice to see examples of what people achieve under various budgets. i’d also love to know what pieces they already owned, and what they purchased for that particular space.
lori, thanks so much for sharing your room!
February 6th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
This is such a good idea, hopefully, we´ll see lots of different rooms and prices here!
Bs last blog post: Chic flick
February 6th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
thanks! i am trying to solve the mystery of track lighting in a home we are closing on in 2 weeks :)
February 6th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
lauren, basically you go from Ikea prices to tracks that cost in the thousands. That is why we are putting them off. The windows need to be replaced. We need a new roof and an on demand water heater. My husband is building built ins in the basement etc. etc. It never ends . :)
February 6th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Terri- koolhaus used to carry Jonathan Adler but since they left no one in Calgary does. You can purchase Jonathan Adler lighting at Robinson Lighting and Bath.
February 6th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Lori is one of my Flickr FAVES! Great idea for a series…
paolas last blog post: Modern Jewellery Boxes
February 6th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Paola you should do one of these for me, aw c’mon…. Your Seattle home must be looking gorgeous by now.
February 6th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Awesome idea for a column ladies and a great interior to start with. I’m already looking forward to next weeks article!
February 6th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Ooh, this is fun! I’m really going to like this column. Love that orange mirror!
Julies last blog post: Pass the vintage hankies, please
February 6th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
What an interesting post. I love to see room decor break-downs. I’m going through a re-decorating project myself, so I’m breaking it down everyday! So cool that they can make it work in 1,100 square feet of space. Good for them.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
omg…this room is amazing. the thought of really breaking down the price of a room is such an awesome. idea. i have so many dreams of what my ultimate room will some day look like. for the moment, we’re making due in our military house, which varies from assignment to assignment. thank you for all you do…and share.
February 6th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I also live in Calgary and am very excited to see one of my Flickr favourites here! I’m looking forward to Lori’s posts, especially for local tips.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
What a fun and innovative feature! This is like peeking through windows except with price tags and sources!
February 7th, 2009 at 10:42 am
What a great feature! I’m feeling a little better about the glacial pace of upgrading my furniture from grad-student, hand-me-down bla to the grown-up style I’m aiming to achieve.
February 7th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
great new feature!!
kristens last blog post: new pictures in the shop
February 8th, 2009 at 1:42 am
I love the new series! I’m looking forward to seeing all ranges of costs for rooms and all different styles!
Heidi Jo O.s last blog post: it’s FRIDAY again
February 8th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Thank you Holly and Lori! I’m a huge fan of Lori’s style — especially the more playful side that she uses in her home. I’ll never spend $30,000 on furniture and decor items for a room, *but* it’s still great inspiration.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Looking forward to this new series! It was fun to see where Lori bought all her furniture and what she spent.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:11 am
That’s the kind of design I wish I could see more in my country (Portugal).
I truly hate when TV and magazines simplify too much because that just frustrates people. One thing is to give ideas, another one is to pretend we all can buy those things.
That’s why many many people believe interior design is a thing for the rich people:/
Sofias last blog post: Don’t believe in everything you see/Não acredite em tudo o que vê
February 9th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
what about that woven storage bag next to the couch? what is that, or did i miss it in the break down?
{ kattyface }s last blog post: { friday inspiration! }
February 9th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
kattyface- it’s a seagrass basket. stolen from my mom’s place. shhhhhhh
February 9th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
ha, ok! lovely – wish i could have one!
February 11th, 2009 at 2:38 am
i love this idea! looking forward to this series. great space!
alices last blog post: rob ryan valentine’s
February 11th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Horizontal lines don’t usually do it for me, but I really enjoy this space. I would glam it up with something shiny.