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Shop & Tell features thoughtfully curated home finds from House Beautiful editors. Every week we’ll take you inside our carts and dish on what we’re buying—and why you should be reaching for your wallet too.
Decorating a home, whether you live in a 700-square-foot apartment or a Victorian house with five bedrooms (the dream!) can quickly add up. Two wool blankets, six tapered candle holders, an asymmetrical mirror, and an accent chair later, you’re suddenly faced with a hefty credit card bill. The solution here? Shop for decorative accent pieces that look luxe, but don’t cost you an arm and a leg. If you’re thinking this is a tough mission, we’re here to help. Our editors shared their favorite under $100 home finds that make their spaces a little more luxurious, ahead.
Trust us when we say these pieces look and feel like they could be worth a lot more. For some editors, this meant getting an affordable Art Deco rug that channels The Great Gatsby while for others it’s about investing in sleek marble or stone accessories like a pair of bookends or chess set. “Something I felt instantly elevated my bookshelf was adding a stone bookend,” Meghan Shouse, assistant editor says. “Intentionally styling your bookcase is such a fun way to add more character into a room, and adding in knick-knacks and other pieces of decor helps further establish your bookshelf wealth.” Without spoiling everything though, scroll on to find our favorite luxe home finds under $100 to zhuzh up your space this month.
Shop even more great, budget-friendly designs:
Figuier (Fig Tree)
“A friend gifted me this when I first moved into my apartment and it’s one of the best home items I’ve ever received. I love it even more than Diptyque’s candles! It makes your whole house smell like a luxury goods store in SoHo and a little spritz goes a long way, which is why even after four years I still have more than half a bottle left. I like to disperse the scent right before I have guests over, which never fails to elicit a ‘wow your apartment smells really nice’ compliment.”
—Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor
Life Along The Hudson: The Historic Country Estates of the Livingston Family
“I have an obsession with the Hudson Valley, so when I happened upon this enormous coffee table book (it’s 11 inches long), I bought it immediately. It’s filled with historic mansions that flank the Hudson River, which is arguably one of New York State’s most gorgeous natural elements. This book has single-handedly made me want to give up my life in Manhattan and move into a centuries-old estate far, far away. Sadly, that’s not an option right now, so I’ll take my escapism in book form. The cover is so elegant.”
—Jessica Cherner, Associate Shopping Editor
Gold Trim Powder Blue Enamel Picture Frame
“This London-based company makes such special photo frames. The materials look luxurious but are really affordable: colored enamel with gilt trim, ostrich, croc, shagreen, tortoiseshell, grasscloth, rattan, bone. There’s a beautiful assortment. I love that you can upload your photos and order the frame complete with the photo—and you can opt for next day shipping on any order, so they’re a great last-minute gift too.”
—Elyse Moody, Contributing Senior Editor
Yasmine Challenge Onyx and Marble Chess
“I used to play chess when I was younger, but didn’t stick with it as an adult. I bought a hand-carved marble chess set from Chichén Itzá a few years ago for less than $100, hoping that would encourage me to play again but so far it’s only served as beautiful decor on my TV console. That said, whether you play or not, a marble chess set definitely adds that little bit of luxury into your home. Wayfair has a similar set to mine for only $40 made from onyx and marble by artisans in Mexico.”
—Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor
Layered Arches Bookends
“Something I felt instantly elevated my bookshelf was adding a stone bookend. Though mine is from a vintage vendor in New York City (shoutout Lazy Sundays Home), this pair of layered arches from Joss & Main is quite similar in style. Intentionally styling your bookcase is such a fun way to add more character into a room, and adding in knick-knacks and other pieces of decor helps further establish your bookshelf wealth. Using bookends rather than relying on the walls of the bookcase to hold up your novels is such a clean, easy way to add more of your aesthetic into your space.”
—Meghan Shouse, Assistant Editor
Marilyn Monroe Glam Deco Rug
“Never underestimate the power of a good rug to transform a space. I wanted navy blue accents in my relatively small bedroom, and this Art Deco-style rug gave me all of old money vibes I was looking for, plus a plush pile that didn’t shed all over the place. The gold trim livens up (and disguises) my old wood flooring and makes the whole space feel much less dated, and much more The Great Gatsby.”
—Janae McKenzie, Associate Shopping Editor
Porcelain Diffuser, Jasmine & Yuzu
“I am big on scent. Until recently, I had two reed diffusers in my home, but when the last drop ran dry, I switched things up and bought a porcelain diffuser, and I will never go back. Reed diffuers can be messy—especially when you’re flipping the reeds upside down—and they’re not nearly as potent as their porcelain counterparts. I also love the look (and lack of height) with my porcelain one. It smells incredible, just like a spa.
—Jessica Cherner, Associate Shopping Editor
No.04 Bois de Balincourt Natural Body + Hand Wash
“I received this hand soap in a gift bag from an event that designer Katie Rosenfeld held, and I have been obsessed with it ever since. I keep it in the powder room, and it makes the entire first floor smell incredible. It’s so amazing that when my husband’s fantasy baseball league met at our house for the draft, they all ended up talking about how good it smells. My brother-in-law loves it too. It’s a really fantastic woodsy, subtle scent.”
—Elyse Moody, Contributing Senior Editor
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