Thrifty Chic

So we're all watching our pennies right now. In fact, that's all anybody seems to want to talk about (myself included). If you're looking to add some pizazz to your home but your budget is a bit constrained, why not raid your pantry or your closet of office supplies? Did you know that bubble wrap can be used in lieu of linen for a table cloth? Or that cellophane can make some nifty curtains? OK, so it's a hard sell I know. After all, it takes courage and an iron constitution to swag and drape your windows with plastic wrap, and I know it would be hell to get the stuff to not stick to itself in one big mess. But, some designers have used some pretty unique household items to great effect. At the very least, it might get our creative juices going!



Jean-François Daigre designed this tablesetting for Tiffany Taste back in the 1980s. How great is that bubble wrap tablecloth??!! Of course, anything would look great in front of that grisaille mural. And you wouldn't have to worry about laundering the thing!


According to Emily Eerdmans' book Regency Redux, the art department of RKO Pictures had a limited budget back in the 1930s. In the movie "Dancing Lady" (1933), designer Merrill Pye used cellophane for those sweeping curtains! And note the plastic wrap covered chair as well. Very clever!


You can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear...unless you were Tony Duquette! He used all kinds of detritus such as vegetable strainers, golf balls, and plastic bottles to create beautiful masterpieces. Here he used Styrofoam grapefruit packing cases on the ceiling of his studio c. 1980 (image from Tony Duquette's website).