Dallas pros’ favorite dupes for pricey home furnishings

Finding a good home design dupe is like uncovering a hidden gem. Search “dupe” on Instagram, Facebook or Tik Tok, and you’ll find that the internet is obsessed with discovering and reporting back the best finds. Identifying a look-alike at a fraction of the price is also a secret talent of many interior designers.

“Great design doesn’t always mean having the most expensive pieces,” shares Abbe Fenimore, owner and principal designer of Dallas’ Studio Ten 25. “I think the design industry has had to keep that in mind, especially as trends come and go quickly. A great dupe allows you to splurge on the pieces that are the staple of your home. There is no better mix than that.”

Brett Seidl, owner and principal designer of Frisco-based Lewis & Rose Interiors, also believes in the power of a well-placed dupe. “It’s a good mix-and-match strategy and can be an effective way to steward your design budget well. Splurge on the items [from which] you want longevity and quality like sofas and rugs, but select lower-priced dupes on things you can easily switch out through the years, like decor task lighting and accent seating.”

Dupes are an especially important tool for those who can’t splurge on a full design package. “While our bread and butter is full-service, high-end interiors, at our core, we deeply believe great design should be accessible for everyone,” says Seidl. “Because of that, we also offer a service we call ‘design plans only.’ For this option, a designer puts the plans together, and the client purchases the pieces and implements the design. Because the designer isn’t purchasing for the client, the designer offers retail items as opposed to to-the-trade offerings. Many times, dupes are used in place of high-end showroom pieces.”

Sold on using dupes to make your home decor dollars go further? Here, Seidl and Fenimore reveal some of their favorite design swaps.

Designer piece: Julie Neill chandelier

Here, Abbe Fenimore designed a bathroom with the Talia chandelier, but her Amazon dupe also... — Fenimore designed this bathroom with the Talia chandelier, but an Amazon dupe offers a similar look for less.(Emily Hart)

Splurge: Julie Neill “Talia” chandelier for Visual Comfort | Dupe: Longree “Nordic” chandelier

“I love the playful yet sophisticated vibe of this chandelier and the texture on each orb,” says Fenimore. “We installed the Talia chandelier in this bathroom over the freestanding bathtub to create a chic, spa-like vibe.”

If the $1,500 price tag for the Julie Neill version spoils your vibe, look at the Amazon chandelier (which ranges in price depending on the version you choose). “This dupe is a great option, not only because of the price point, but also because the fixture comes in multiple sizes — making it a great fit for any space,” says Fenimore.

Designer piece: Kelly Wearstler lamp

Kelly Wearstler's Linden lamp is a popular designer pick. Or you can opt for Abbe Fenimore's... — Kelly Wearstler’s Linden lamp is a popular designer pick. You can also opt for an Elk Home dupe, says Fenimore.(Courtesy Visual Comfort)

Splurge: Kelly Wearstler “Linden” lamp for Visual Comfort | Dupe: “Torny” table lamp by Elk Home

“This is one of the best dupes out there in my opinion,” says Fenimore. “The scale of the lamp is similar, and this is something that most dupes do not have.”

The Kelly Wearstler lamp comes in at $739, while the Elk Home light is currently on sale for about $372.

Designer piece: Stark wool rug/carpet

Stark wool carpet, as seen in this room designed by Abbe Fenimore, is an expensive splurge,... — Stark wool carpet is an expensive splurge, but you can get a lookalike from Ballard or Frontgate.(Emily Hart)

Splurge: Stark “Antelope Ax” wool rug/carpet | Dupe: ”Gazelle” wool area rug from Frontgate or ”Antelope” hand-tufted rug from Ballard Designs

“This [Stark rug/carpet] has been a consistent favorite with clients for a while now, but the price tag for the wool can easily break the budget,” says Fenimore. “Not to mention, you will need the help of a designer or trade professional to purchase the material.” Instead, check out the options you can order for less from Frontgate (now priced around $489-$909, depending on the size) or Ballard Designs (about $150-$750).

Designer piece: Custom bed

In lieu of a custom bed in this primary bedroom, designer Brett Seidl chose a style from One... — In lieu of a custom bed in this primary bedroom, designer Brett Seidl chose a style from One Kings Lane.(Sarah Linden)

Splurge: Custom bedframe | Dupe: “Reed” velvet wingback bed from One Kings Lane

“This was for a lake home’s primary bedroom,” says Seidl. “The clients had a healthy budget but we decided to really splurge on extra luxurious custom drapery, bedding and lighting to give that overt plush hotel vibe. Because of that, we pulled back on the headboard and opted to forego a custom bed [design we had in mind] and selected a dupe instead.” This look from One Kings Lane for under $1,400 doesn’t sacrifice any style.

Designer piece: Scalamandre throw pillows

Custom pillows add a beautiful pop of pattern and color, but you can get the same affect... — Designer pillows add a beautiful pop of pattern, but you can get the same effect with the Little Design Co. versions, as seen in this living room designed by Seidl.(Sarah Linden)

Splurge: Scalamandre “Antelope” throw pillows | Dupe: Little Design Co. “Antelope” throw pillows

“This is one of our absolute favorite dupe products,” says Seidl. “The pillows have such a high-end custom look, but are literally half the price of custom-made pillows, and their patterns and texture options are fabulous.”

For the design shown here, a 20-by-20-inch Little Design Co. throw pillow is $73 (plus insert). Consult a design pro for Scalamandre pricing.

Designer piece: Duralee sleeper sofa

Designer Brett Seidl swapped out a designer sleeper sofa for this version from Apt2B. — Seidl swapped out a designer sleeper sofa for this version from Apt2B.(Mike DaVello)

Splurge: Duralee “Yucca Valley” sleeper sofa | Dupe: Apt2B “Olivia” apartment-size sleeper sofa

“The design of this flex room was modern, minimal, and full of textures and patterns,” says Seidl. “We had originally selected a high-end pull-out sofa, but the lead time was over 30 weeks. Ultimately, we landed on a dupe product. Looking at it, no one would know the difference. The lead time was 30 days, and it came with a plush memory foam mattress insert, which was the most important part for the client.” The cost savings is nice bonus — $12,450 for the Duralee sofa and less than $3,000 currently for the similarly sized Apt2B sofa.

Designer piece: Sergio Mazza lights

Due to some unforeseen budget restraints in this kitchen reno, designer Brett Seidl opted... — Due to some unforeseen budget constraints in this kitchen reno, Seidl opted for lighting from Wayfair.(Sarah Linden)

Splurge: Vintage Sergio Mazza “Pi” pendants from Chairish | Dupe: Robert Abbey “Brighton” pendant from Wayfair

“This kitchen was a complete gut job, and our goal was to create a modern European aesthetic with both luxurious and yet charming accents,” says Seidl. “We originally had selected very pricey high-end pendants, but the renovation had some unforeseen complications that soaked up all the contingency and additional extra budget. And while we weren’t willing to compromise on the kitchen materials and appliances, the lighting was the one area we could save some money on by selecting a dupe.”

The original Sergio Mazza pendant lights are listed on Chairish at $2,200 each, compared with $841 for the Wayfair light. “Ironically enough,” says Seidl, “those [dupe] lights get just as much glory in our Instagram comments as the rest of the materials selections.”

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