Decor Thoughts: 5 unexpected places for great decor

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Are you drawn to certain pieces of decor?

I completely love trays and platters.  I have everything from a vintage Lanvin mirrored tray for beauty products to small acrylic boxes for my fancier nail polishes.  The great thing is that I’ve been able to shop at so many places for great decor. Of course I love dedicated home decor sites like One Kings Lane and Horchow.  But I’ve also found great pieces for my home from unexpected websites and retailers as well.  You may normally head to a store for one type of item, but may find hidden treasures in the home department as well.

Here is a list of my top unexpected places for home decor:

Anthropologie

Anthropologie is the home of bohemian chic and casual cool outfits.  A few of my favorite Anthropologie buys include a beautiful rose gold crystal bracelet with an antique feel and a pair of buttery soft brown Frye boots. But I’ve also had a special place in my heart for their quirky and colorful home decor.  I recently bought a porcelain ring holder from Anthropologie with a shape reminiscent of our native city (yep the Empire State building) but not everything is quirky.  The lotus platter is such an elegant shape and can display everything from a selection of savory bruschetta to cute cupcakes.

Their selection of settees, including this Apsley slope settee are remixed, colorful versions of classic designs.

Amazon

Amazon truly has everything.  I am an Amazon prime member (yep even though I’m in Asia most of the time!) and my new, favorite items to shop for on the mega-site are natural oils (coconut oil and almond oil are a few favorites) as well as all kinds of baby toys/supplies (subscribe & save baby food and snacks for us are awesome!)  But I’ve also gotten a few larger items as well, like a favorite tray table.  I’m impressed with their vast furniture selection and love how it covers minimalist to shabby chic styles. I’m seriously considering this console table at just over $100.

Their selection of decor is quite lovely too.  Isn’t this pineapple jar too cute?

eBAY

Remember that vintage Lanvin tray I mentioned in the beginning?  I got it in new in box condition from eBay.  I just missed bidding on it in one auction but was lucky enough to grab it in another auction a few months later.  Patience is the name of the game on eBay.  But everything is available from art deco pieces to a designer collaboration platter from past years (think Neiman Marcus and Target).  I have standing saved searched for Fornasetti pieces because I vow to find a great great pieces from this surreally cool design house! Just keep looking and you’ll find what you want there!

Restaurant/Retail store moving/closing down sales

Have I ever mentioned that one of my friends furnished almost her entire apartment via Craigslist?  Yep, and she’s quite proud of it!  She has so many lovely pieces too like a leaning teak bookshelf.  I also recently discovered that moving or closing sales/auctions are a great place to get furniture and decor locally.  Check out the local auctions in your town and you could snag the same bench that you sat on in your favorite, but now closed restaurant.  I actually remember dining at a restaurant on the Lower East Side opened by a celebrity chef.  It ended up closing within a year or two and everything from mahogany tables to gorgeous lighting fixtures was sold off.  Imagine owning luxurious decor with an interesting history like that huh?

Target

This family-friendly megastore really has it all.  I mostly head there to buy basics like snacks (mmm I love the new Triscuit flavors!) and home goods (or baby goods these days – seriously how much have I spent on diapers?!)  But I discovered their home goods section in recent years and it’s actually pretty good.  Their furniture is of course well priced, but some of it (I can’t speak for all of it!) is well made too.  Their decor can be quite elegant as well. This reversible floral pillow is lovely isn’t it?

What are some of your suggestions for unexpected places to find great decor?

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