Mike and I popped into a swish bedding store on the weekend in search of a sheet set to go with our amazing new crewel-work duvet cover. We found an expensive set of ivory sheets marked down 25 per cent but not even the discount made them affordable. This got me thinking about my discount standards and I came to the conclusion that generally speaking, I need to be saving at least 30 per cent off the suggested retail price before I’ll reach for my wallet. How about you? How big a price break do you require before your trigger finger gets itchy?
As for the new duvet set, Richard Cope the proprietor of Cose di Casa, gave me an extraordinarily good deal because he himself is in the process of moving and the more inventory he sells, the less he’ll have to haul around the corner to his new digs (more on that later). I also bought some fantastic Ikat linen panels that will likely become roman blinds in the new apartment. What do you think about the new bedspread? Too strong?
I note with some satisfaction that this is my 500th post on styleNorth. Holy smokes! I have to say I’m enjoying the less rigorous posting schedule and I’m thrilled that you keep coming back. Thanks for reading!
January 12th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Congrats on your half millennium! I’m just thrilled you haven’t given this up altogether.
As for your discount question, it depends on a number of things: how much I want the item; original price. If I really, really want something, I’ll buy at full price rather than come back to discover I can no longer get the item!
January 12th, 2010 at 10:41 am
I love the bedspread but I feel that it’s fighting a bit with the window treatment?
500. Wow!
P.S. I think I’m as excited about the new apartment as you and Mike are.
Bring on the before and afters!!
January 12th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Totally agreed; granted I buy a lot of stuff on eBay and even more on Craigslist but in general I love a good deal. Like my pop always used to say to me, “you’re going to go broke saving money” because I can’t turn down a good deal… It comes upon me honestly, though, he’s the exact same way! But I digress…
I’m fortunate enough to have friends and/or good acquaintances who work in many of the industries of which my hobbies / interests belong… It helped me buy materials for my home renovation at (often) between 50-80% off and at worst 20-30% off… Bike stuff usually costs me about %50 of retail, etc. etc. It’s a pretty good life.
Congrats on 500!
January 12th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Good morning, I LOVE a bold statement and that bedspread is perfect, strong, but NOT overpowering, the balance is there.
Okay, I buy to sell, so if the price isn’t *right* I move along, much more out there to find
January 12th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Congratulations on the 500th post!!!
Really like the new bedspread. I think it makes a great statement especially with those beautiful lamps!
Looking forward to seeing how the rest of your place comes together.
January 12th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Love that bedspread with the wood bed. It’s so rich + warm. Love it!
With regards to the sale question, I think it’s a case by case scenario for me, it’s hard to pin point an exact % off that makes a difference. Depends on the original price.
And I’m so glad you’re still posting!!
January 12th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
LOVE the duvet cover but have to agree with Karen that it may be doing battle a bit with the drapes. As for discounts, my rule of thumb is that it’s not a bargain unless I would pay full price for it if it was not on sale. Of course that’s somewhat hypothetical since I may not be able to afford even the sale price!
January 12th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
I need around 30% off, of course I’d like 50. Love the bedspread, not too strong at all!
January 12th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
WOW! I love that bedspread. It reminds me of a really colourful one I wanted from Crate and Barrel.
Congrats on your 500th post. I just posted my 100th.
January 12th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Oh how delightful to visit on a day with a new post and so many comments already in place from my favourite commenters. I love to walk into a place that says EVERYTHING 30-50% OFF. Then I’m good to buy anything.
LOVE this duvet cover. What a great statement. Can’t wait for the new drapes (these not so much) and OH yes, fellow commenters, you are right. We NEED the before and afters of the new digs. Can’t wait. Congrats on 500. That’s quite an accomplishment Chris. Cheers!
January 13th, 2010 at 1:42 am
SOOO glad you’re still posting! Glad to have read all 500 - wow! I like the duvet cover, I say go big or go home.
January 13th, 2010 at 4:35 am
Love the bedspread and the lamps! Hard to believe you’ve already made such great progress on your place in such a short period of time.
As for bargains, I shop exclusively in the clearance section of every store and I can’t buy anything unless it’s 50% off or more– I’m frugal and I love the hunt for a good deal. Thank goodness for Craigslist and Kijiji.
Congratulations on your 500th post. Keep you the great work!
January 13th, 2010 at 6:46 am
Thanks for the feedback, everyone. We don’t officially move until Jan. 23 so you’re looking at our old bedroom here. These are the only drapes we had on hand that made any sense at all with the new duvet cover so we threw them up for a couple of weeks. We’ll style up the room properly in the new space although an accent colour is still being debated. Richard Cope recommended a dark sand, “almost a brown,” to go with the duvet set and we’re seriously considering it even if it’s not the most serene scheme for a bedroom. The crewel work is lavish and makes me feel very spoiled; I’ve never had such luxury before. Peel me a grape . . .
January 13th, 2010 at 9:19 am
I love bold anyway so the bedspread is great. Best wishes
January 13th, 2010 at 11:16 am
I have a huge bedroom - 20 by 19 and it was and still is a rich brown -kind of like chocolate milk. I don’t like the hard line that the brown makes with the white ceiling and I don’t like seeing brown while I am lying in bed. I am considereing Great White - or perhaps a slightly more lavender version of Great White by Farrow and Ball with some darker lavendar curtains, and a linen headboard and bedskirt with white duvet and pops of purple, pink and orange. I wonder if a lavendar would work with your duvet. Great white is featured in Style at Home magazine this month - 2 photos of it in the bedroom of a gardening mag. editor. The paint chip I have looks more lavendar than the photo.
January 13th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Hi Chris
The bedspread is gorgeous. I would say stick with a light colour in the bedroom.
So happy that you are still blogging!
Congrats on 500… looking forward to 500 more!
January 14th, 2010 at 12:33 am
Good evening I like the Great White idea for the curtains Chris. That would make the coverlet “pop”…Lois of how much fun is this?????
Congrats on 500
January 15th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
yes, so glad you are still continuing to post!
A sourcing question for anyone who may have an answer:
where to find chinoiserie wallpaper in the Toronto area?
thanks!
January 16th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Lynn,
I’d start with Ontario Paint and Wallpaper on Queen St. East. Great stock, great staff.
Lin
January 23rd, 2010 at 1:41 pm
i have a wonderful barrymore brand new sofa for sale - it is high end- can i post it on this site? it is luxury - I paid close to 9000 incl. custom fabric - any ideas - i want 5000 min. for it - designer chose fabric for it and i don’t like it so now trying to unload it….thanks.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Hi Chris and Mike, (Punch and Judy)
The flowers are too beautiful. We’ll miss you on the west-side but wish you only the best in your new home. Can’t wait to see how the new pad comes along!
Jacquelyn (P&F)