LEARNING THE ROPES

Rope isn’t just the preferred material of sailors and hillbillies. In measured doses, it adds a charmed, rustic flair to any décor.  Here are our favorite rope pieces for your wall, floor and more.

Lighting you’ll want to lasso—the Riata Lamp from Anthropologie. $168.

Riata Lamp Ensemble

If you paid attention during rope tying lessons in your Scouts days, then you can probably fashion one of these knotted doorstops yourself. For the rest of us, there’s this version from Haus Interior. $50.

Rope Knot Doorstop

Terrain calls this the ‘Suspended Crate Shelf.’ I call it the ‘Poor Man’s Pot Rack.’ $38.

Suspended Crate Shelf

This easy-to-hang rope mirror from QVC would look great in a small bathroom or entryway. $59.46.

Home Reflections Handmade 16-1/2" x 25"H Rope Mirror

Home Reflections Handmade Rope Mirror

 

Rope door mats, like this woven one from Brook Farm General Store, can take a beating and still look tops. $35.

Rope Door Mat

 

As a child, I had a reoccurring dream that I married a lighthouse keeper. In this dream, there was most definitely a rope clock like this on the wall. $80.99 on Amazon.

Two's Company Know Your Rope Wall Clock

Two’s Company Know Your Rope Wall Clock

 

These loose-form rope handles would look right at home on a whitewashed dresser. $12 each from Anthropologie.

Pliant Rope Handle

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THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES

Double-sided and easy to perch in small spaces, vanity mirrors are the charming way to primp and preen. Here are our favorites, from classy bronze to punchy plastic.

 

The wee songbird perched on this Anthropologie mirror will keep you company as you agonize over the size of your pores. $148.

Winter's Perch Mirror

 

Pretty sure I had some version of this growing up, though mine was most certainly covered in glitter stickers. $16 from Plasticland.

Red Heart Shaped Vanity Mirror

 

The shallow bowl below the IKEA Lillholmen mirror is the perfect catchall for jewelry, coins and all those random tubes of ChapStick you find when doing laundry. $14.99.

LILLHOLMEN Table mirror

 

This golden duck mirror from Shop Ten 25 is further evidence that animal legs make everything cuter. $102.50.

Duck Leg Mirror

 

Rouge your lips and kohl your eyes in this old-timey model from Urban Outfitters. $49.00.

Vanity Mirror

 
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FASHION FOR HOME: THE UK EDITION

We love Fashion For Home, an online store filled with gorgeous contemporary designer furniture at affordable prices. They have come out with some new pieces since we did a store profile of these guys. We highlight some of our new favorites from their UK store, all items ship for free.

 

Sleeper sofas never looked so good. With the Dendera Sofa Bed in Pink Polyester, guests will overstay their welcome (also available in the U.S. for $899).

Dendera B Sofa Bed, £429.00


 

The handsome Dowel Armchair is mid-century with a twist. A well-built classic available in several colors, it works in a masculine or feminine space.

Dowel Armchair, £469.00


 

Anything that looks like it came out of a Kubrick film gets our stamp of our approval, like this Danish-designed Aurora Pendant lamp.

Aurora Pendant Lamp, £49.00


 
This one-of-a-kind unicorn lamp is a bundle of sophisticated irony on a table.

Unicorn Clear Table Lamp, £119.00

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GET THE LOOK: DOWNTON ABBEY

I don’t know about you, but I sure do miss watching Downton Abbey. I miss Mary’s icy stare, Carson’s firm commitment to protocol and Mr. Bate’s scandalous ex-wife situation. Mostly, I miss it as a visual feast of set and design. Bringing some of the Downton look into your home is easier than you might think, and needn’t require a handsome dowry to achieve. So, until Season Three comes on the horizon, we give you Get The Look: Downton Abbey.

 

It’s always teatime on this slate-colored Buffet Sofa from ABC Home. Snatch it on sale for $1199.

buffett slate sofa

 

This Teardrop Chandelier casts a soft glow and won’t require a household staff to keep clean. $129 from Pottery Barn Teen, which has a surprisingly vast lighting selection.

Teardrop Chandelier

 

One never knows when unexpected visitors may come calling! Make sure your coif is intact with this ornate gold-leaf mirror from Wayfair. $272.90.

Howard Elliott Wellington Wall Mirror

 

The Dowager Countess is right: Hand-written letters are best read under the discerning gaze of a magnifying glass, like this wire-wrapped number from Anthropologie. $16.

Wire-Wrapped Magnifying Glass

 

I’m on Team Mary, so I’d put her picture in this Mulberry Picture Frame. Those on Team Sybil may do as they wish. Is anyone on Team Edith?? $55.00 from Supermarket.

Mulberry Picture Frame

 

Hide ugly store-bought planters with this Carson-approved ceramic beauty. $122.50 from Wayfair.

Tall Parisian Planter

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GET A GRIP: KNOB ROUNDUP

Commitment-phobes and penny-pinchers rejoice: switching out old knobs is the easiest and cheapest way to give your kitchen or bathroom an instant facelift. This facelift is also easily undone down the road.

 
These black and gold Jewel Knobs from Urban Outfitters would add instant warmth to dark cabinets. $6 each.

Jewel Knob


 
Porcelain knobs are a versatile class act. This model from Rejuvenation features a cast iron base that adds industrial charm. $10 each.

Porcelain Cabinet Knob

 

The earthen feel terracotta lends patios also works in the kitchen, particularly against cabinets with a natural wood finish. These Terracotta Knobs from Gracious Home are just $3.19 each.

Laurey Mesa Terracotta Knob

 

These Fourth Course Knobs from Anthropologie feature colorful resin layers and are perfect for relatively monotone kitchens in need of some pizzazz. $8 each.

Fourth Course Knob


 
Also from Anthropologie, the Half & Half Knob is one part rustic cabin, one part 1920s hospital and one whole part cool. $8 each.

Half & Half Knob


 
Another classic from Rejuvenation, this Hexagonal Glass Knob in milky green is just the thing to warm up stark white or stainless steel cupboards. $6.00 each

Hexagonal Glass Knob

 
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GET THE LOOK: KELLEY AND PING RESTAURANT

Kelley and Ping in Soho is a feast for all senses. The Thai cuisine here is delicious, but more importantly, it’s surprisingly easy to get their Asia-Mod look! After lunch, stroll a couple of blocks South to Pearl River Mart on Broadway, your one stop shop for all things Asian.

Kelley and Ping, photo by New York Portraits

 

These large and whimsical papier-mache heads from Pearl River Mart come in various styles for variety.

Papier-Mache Head Mask - Grandpa, $29.50

Papier-Mache Head Mask - Boy, $29.50

 

Place them on a lone shelf like this Ikea Lack Wall shelf.

LACK Wall shelf, black or white, $6.99

 

Mexican Sugar Skull sells a variety of lovely oilcloths for your walls, by the foot or by the roll. Your choice.

Pears Oil Cloth, $5/foot, $15/yard

 

To complete the look, hang a few paper lanterns for good measure. Display is a cinch with the handy hook.

Chinese Red Satin Lantern, $8.50

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