Splurge v Savings....Wooden Walls

Everyone has a dream house.

You know, that place you pretend that you live where you display all the furniture that you can't afford in the rooms that are perfectly papered and accessorized. Oh, you don't really live there? 

Me neither.

But it's so so nice to dream.

I actually have multiple dream houses. If it's a dream, that's affordable, right?!

One of them is definitely a really rustic chic take on a totally modern house.

Almost all of them have Ann Sacks tile.

If you don't know Ann Sacks, you should check out their website some time when you want a little eye candy to add to your imaginary abode. 

Here's what caught my eye from Ann Sacks this time:

 

 These are tiles made from petrified wood. Seriously. HOW cool is that?

Well it's cool enough to have a price tag starting at...get this...$222.30 per square foot.

Here are my thoughts on this, though....

You can totally do this! You know I'm not a DIYer, but for the sake of thousands of dollars, I'd do it!

Contemporary Bedroom design by Portland Interior Designer Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.

Reclaimed wood can come from a bunch of sources.

It can be found at antique stores, salvage yards, flea markets...the possibilities are endless.

If you know someone that owns a farm, they might have some laying around.

Keep your eye out for demolition in your area, too.

In fact, there was an old barn being torn down near my home town. They took it apart piece by piece and stacked the wood neatly in piles. Then the piles stayed there. Months later, they're still there.

It's the most beautiful gray weathered wood. You can't fake that kind of authenticity.

If I had somewhere to store it, I would find the owner and make an offer on it as an investment in my real dream home.

That kind of thing can make a huge difference. Nailing old wood up onto one wall in a room is a HUGE wow factor and really not that expensive. 

Contemporary Bedroom design by San Francisco Interior Designer Jeffers Design Group

You could always use new wood, too, and stain it a beautiful color. 

Don't you just love that room? I love that the trim is a color. 

The moral of the story

If you find something that you love that's out of your budget, really think about what it is that you love.

If you aren't attached to designer names and are willing to put in a little elbow grease, you can create something just as beautiful for way less money.

Tile images via  ann sacks

Room images via houzz.com

Shop Feature...Across the Way, Cape May

Hello, friends.

Last week was a busy week! 

After my surprise bridal shower on Saturday, I headed to the beach with my family for our annual vacation.

We went to one of my favorite spots: Wildwood, NJ.

I know. 

Wildwood definitely isn't the classiest (or cleanest) beach locale in the world, but it's filled with some of my favorite memories from childhood.

I always love when we go back.

We usually spend an evening in Cape May when we do go.

I love Cape May for it's quaint little shops and beautiful Victorian homes.

I always stop in at Bath Time to pick up a new bottle of lotion or exfoliating shower wash. They'll custom blend you a signature scent in any combination of their almost intimidatingly long list of fragrances for under $20 per eight ounce bottle.

I love it.

Across the Way

Just a few doors down from Bath Time, there's a fairly new (a few year's old) shop called Across the Way.

I walked in on a whim and had to be physically removed by my fiance.

The shop specializes in unique home decor items.

They have developed an amazing mix of modern and industrial while toeing the fine line between quirky and classic.

I ooh-ed and ahh-ed  my way through the store finding myself drawn to their assortment of gorgeous suspended glass vases and the light fixtures.

I was tempted to walk away with this triple tube wall vase for $42, but talked myself out of it (as I live in a rental and try not to punch a bunch of holes in the walls unless absolutely necessary). I ended up with another set of three that are freestanding on a very modern wooden block. 

I have yet to unpack it, but plan to share as soon as I find the perfect spot for it!

Here's a small sampling of some of the other cool stuff they have:

click the image to be taken to the Across the Way online shop

They have so many neat things (at decent prices) that it was hard for me to leave. 

If we're being honest...the only reason I left when I did is because they told me they have an online shop!

If you ever find yourself within driving distance of Cape May, it's definitely worth the stop!

All images are courtesy of Across the Way online.