A client who lives on Central Park West recently mentioned that she’d seen a couple of very cute accessories at Target but didn’t buy them because she would have felt uncomfortable if someone asked her where she’d found them. Tar-jay, a problem? I guess she needs to read Metropolitan Home magazine and check out their great “High, Low” vignettes.

I say, if you like something and it makes you smile, intrigues you or suites your personality, go for it (assuming it’s not a kitschy knick-knack). Yes, it’s wonderful to have good things with provenance but furnishings with high price tags do not necessarily translate into stylish objet d’art. The key is balance: buy the best things you can afford but don’t be afraid to mix in a few fun, light-hearted pieces, too.

Isn’t the whole point of decorating to create functional spaces that reflect who we truly are so that we feel as comfortable as we possibly can? In 2009 are we trying to create homes as museums or palaces in order to impress others?  I think not.

So please yourself. Oh, and your dear husband. ‘And that’s a whole other blog…

(Eiffel Tower from Target)

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