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Friday, September 5, 2008

Expensive things that look cheap and cheap things that look expensive: A meditation

Photo Credit: Paris Hotel Boutique

Photo Credit: Paris Hotel Boutique

Just ask an Olsen: When you have more money than God, sometimes there arises an inexplicable attraction to things that make you look way less affluent than you are. Some would call this boho chic, some would call it slumming it; either way, it's not just the Olsens who are afflicted. Witness the burlap-upholstered antique chairs selling for $1,400 a pair at Paris Hotel Boutique (yes, similar to those featured in the Country Living House of the Year bedroom tour), or the new line of recycled-feed-bag pillows from SOWN that are burnin' up the design blogs, or the classic: a $220 designer version of a plain wooden box. I have to say, I feel a little torn about these developments. On one hand, almost all the stylish people I know are adept at mixing high and low in their wardrobes and their homes, and it's pretty much the style tactic that won Kate Moss her eternal icon-hood, but isn't part the of the fun that the low is actually low, and not an expensive thing designed to look cheap or run-down (hello, designer jeans that are so "distressed" they fall apart after three washings)? And isn't it kind of sad to see just about every affordable line of anything out there scrambling to look blingier (or falling over itself to snag designer collaborations) just as high-end stuff starts raiding the bargain bin for inspiration? What do you all think about this? Do you prefer cheap stuff that looks expensive, expensive stuff that looks cheap, or just normal stuff not trying to be anything but what it is? Do you think the feed sack trend is Country Cute or just another way for the style elites to try to skirt imitators? Am I taking this all too seriously? Let's hear it.

Related: olsen twins, kate moss, expensive stuff that looks cheap, designer collaborations, decorating, cheap stuff that looks expensive, burlap, antiques

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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 21
  • Mom of Two's Avatar
    Posted by Mom of Two Mon Aug 4, 2008 7:23pm PDT

    Recyling old things is great, but expensive stuff that's faking being old is just nuts. As a young girl my dad's aunt used to have cotton print feed sacks, which she'd take apart, wash and press and use for fabric for blouses for me, or to make dish towels, etc. I loved it.

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  • Michelle's Avatar
    Posted by Michelle Tue Aug 5, 2008 7:53am PDT

    These chairs are completely UGLY! They look like my Brownie Girl Scout troop upholstered them as a craft project. Is anyone aware how itchy burlap is? Who would want to even sit in them. Anyone who would pay $1400 plus special shipping for these chairs needs to have their head examined.

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  • janette_martinez2008's Avatar
    Posted by janette_martinez2008 Tue Aug 5, 2008 10:28am PDT

    I have to agree with Michelle 100%. I can see this as a prank done to someone more than a gift. Can you imagen the look on your grandmother face if you gave her something that looked like this. Mine would ask me if I got dirt at dumpster ...but that is my opinion.

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  • Beth's Avatar
    Posted by Beth Tue Aug 5, 2008 10:29am PDT

    I'm all for recycling stuff, but why do they have to make it so ugly?

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  • Many Shades of Shabby by Devonia's Avatar
    Posted by Many Shades of Shabby by Devonia Tue Aug 5, 2008 10:55am PDT

    Love this post! I prefer: cheap stuff that looks expensive. The burlap chairs are perfect examples of decor/fashion's " chicken or the egg" influence. Fashion - which came first? street fashion or designer "street" fashion? Decor - which came first? trash-to-treasure or treasure-to-trash?

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  • Many Shades of Shabby by Devonia's Avatar
    Posted by Many Shades of Shabby by Devonia Tue Aug 5, 2008 10:57am PDT

    PS. Burlap is sooooo scratchy.. as upholstery? Yuk!

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  • CB's Avatar
    Posted by CB Tue Aug 5, 2008 11:16am PDT

    looks like designers are running out of ideas....sad. I guess I'll make some upholstery out of the mesh fruit bags and stick a price tag of $25,000 on it and sell it to overachieving snooty rich folk.

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  • Bellisima's Avatar
    Posted by Bellisima Tue Aug 5, 2008 12:56pm PDT

    Wow, that's insane.

    But then again with this economy, we're all most likely going to be wearing those 'cratchy little things. LOL

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  • Lady_Dallas214's Avatar
    Posted by Lady_Dallas214 Tue Aug 5, 2008 1:03pm PDT

    just normal stuff not trying to be anything but what it is

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  • Sarah B's Avatar
    Posted by Sarah B Tue Aug 5, 2008 2:06pm PDT

    I agree... it's a strange.. but somehow cool trend. Pottery Barn built an empire creating antique-looking farmhouse furniture. So clearly there's huge demand for new stuff that looks worn-in.

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