Design*Sponge » under $100

2011 gift guide: $25 and under

Grace Bonney — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:00:30 +0000

After hours of internet window shopping this weekend I ended up with a desktop folder overflowing with over 400 gift ideas. On Sunday night I cozied into the couch, turned on my favorite weekend shows and started creating this year’s budget-friendly gift guides. I arranged the gifts according to price, with tons of options $25 and under, $50 and under, $100 and under and- just for fun- splurge-worthy gifts. Today I’m kicking off the budget-friendly shopping with gifts $25 and under. These would make great gifts for anyone, but many of them would make great stocking-stuffers, too. So no matter what you’re looking for- these affordable options should have you covered. Enjoy! xo, grace

Image above, clockwise from top left: Paint chip placemat $16 each, Abella honey (delicious!) $16 each, Squirrel paperclips $7.99, Mojave coasters $10, Gold playing cards $15, Semi-opaque taper $24, Scented gummy bear earbuds $18, Heart mugs $23, Chevron pens 14 for $23, Peace hand bottle stopper $18, Neon pens $20 each

Image above, clockwise from top left: Semikolon notebooks $7.95 each, Travel Laundry Bag $24 each, Rabbit Pen Holder $10.99, Monaco blend coffee by La Colombe (my fav) $12.99 per bag, Seed pod maker $17, African bead necklace $18, Vihkiruusu pot holder $11, Cozy knit mug $28 (pretty close to $25), Serving spoon $18

The full 45+ gift list continues after the jump…

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under $100: end of summer yellow

Grace Bonney — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:00:48 +0000

as summer winds to a close i find myself clinging to just a few things that remind me of hot summer days: iced tea, beach towels, flip flops and my favorite color for summer: yellow. so in honor of the last few steamy weeks of summer, i thought i’d round up a collection of my favorite summer yellow products: all under $100. happy end-of-summer!

[image above, clockwise from top left: striped yellow tumber $19.99 for 8, curry dots wrapping paper $2.95 per sheet, marilyn fabric by rubie green $90 per yard (worth the splurge), sunflower stamp $6.95, yellow and white pillow $44, craspedia (available at most flower shops for a steal), echo custard chair $79.95, fruit box $18 (how cute is this?), "holgawood" camera $48]

[image above, clockwise from top left: lucky number knob $8, palm paperweight $68, daisy sticker $5.95, kaarskoker candle sleeve $16 per pair, carpenter lamp $69.95, patterned pencils $15, totem cup set $60, striped "sofia" ikea fabric $7.99 per yard, pride & prejudice $20, nal coat tree $99.95, pencil pouch $14.95, woman in yellow perfume $28]]

[image above, left to right: sailor tote $33, yellow C table $99.95, yellow japanese washi masking tape $9.36]

under $100: fluffy, shiny, toasty and cozy

Grace Bonney — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:00:46 +0000

Sometimes, I can be a little bit like a bird or a small child. How so? Well, in many ways, but primarily because I can’t resist anything shiny and/or fluffy and soft. As I’m wrapped in layers because our apartment is freezing, I’m wanting to surround myself with things that are either soft and cozy or pretty and shiny. Because when it gets cold and gray, I need something to comfort me and keep me happy. So I thought I’d devote today’s Under $100 to things that make the fluffy/shiny/cozy-lover in me happy. If the cooler temperatures have you feeling down, hopefully these will cheer you up and keep you toasty. xo, grace

Images above: 1. Bell Garland, $32; 2. Ludde Sheepskin, $39.99; 3. Fox Ornament, $12; 4. Hot Chocolate Spoons (love these!), $69 for 20; 5. Cream and Sugar Set, $45; 6. Owl Cast-Iron Andirons, $57; 7. Snowshoe Photopad, $12.49; 8. Feather Pen, $65; 9. Feather Wreath, $38

Images above: 1. Dots Stamp (looks like snow!), $15, and Sequin Rabbit, $25; 2. Cross Pillow, $98; 3. Etch Candleholder, $55; 4. Pipe Match Strike, $42; 5. Fir Tree Candle, $28; 6. Sheep’s Milk Calendar (how cute is this?), $12; 7. Captain Mug, $24

under $100: throw blankets

Grace Bonney — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:00:13 +0000

I broke out my closed-toe shoes for the first time yesterday so I think it’s safe to say the cold weather is here. I wear my flip flops as long as humanly possible each year, but I’ve tossed my worn-in summer pair in the trash and am doing my best to embrace sweater weather. I’m not a huge fan of coats and layering, so I like to keep several throws around the house so I’m always nice and toasty. Sadly some of my favorite blankets fell victim to moths over the summer so now I’m in the market for a new couch throw. I’m partial to plaid (it just says “warm” to me) and anything that’s affordable enough to order two of (one for the bedroom, one for the living room) so today I decided to round up my favorite winter throws Under $100. I’ll do a roundup of slightly higher priced blankets later this month (there are some fantastic patterns in the market right now) but for now, these affordable basics should get you through the chillier temperatures. Stay warm! xo, grace

[Image above: 1. Lambswool throw $99.50; 2. Pendleton throw $98; 3. Red Plaid Throw $25; 4. Plaid Twill throw $39.50; 5. Chunky Knit throw $89.50; 6. Buckley Organic throw $39.95]

[Image above: Organic ruched throw $69, Hand-knit throw $59, Bobble knit throw $79, Pom Pom throw $50]

CLICK HERE for more affordable throws after the jump!

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office wall organizers + 5 bedroom essentials under $50

Grace Bonney — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:00:57 +0000

If you’re blessed with a cramped apartment like I am, you surely understand the importance of using wall space as much as possible. Flat storage surfaces can be a luxury in a tiny apartment or home and if yours are limited, you need to leave them clear for actual working. Rather than cluttering your desktop or bringing in another clunky file cabinet (why are there no cute file cabinets?), the best option is often to use a wall organizer to keep things tidy and close at hand. Today I’ve rounded up 25 of my favorite options for keeping your office clean over at MyLifeScoop. Whether you’re looking for something modern and plastic or rustic and wooden, I’ve done my best to cover a range of styles, needs and prices (most of the choices are well under $100). I’m taking a little break from posting there this fall, so if you missed any of the posts I did earlier this year (there are nine roundups in the archives), click here to check them out.

Speaking of cramped spaces, AC and I are getting tired of ours and considering moving. This means I’m already excited about the idea of changing up our home color palette. As much as I love our red accents, I’m dying to go in another direction. I’ve been wanting to try a gray and yellow theme in the bedroom and today D*S editor Amy Azzarito has started my search for me (without knowing it). Amy wrote a new post for the Design*Sponge page at Currency on “Five Bedroom Essentials Under $50” and the colors are right up my alley. Especially the stripes — the post is making me want a set of Dwell Studio’s Draper Stripe bedding all over again. If you’re in the market for some affordable bedroom basics, click here to check out Amy’s full post and the sourcing for all five objects. xo, grace

under $100: entryway accessories

Amy Azzarito — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:00:01 +0000

Here on the East Coast, where we’ve already had a little taste of fall, coat weather is most definitely on the way. Which means we need a place to hang them! Following on the heels of our Best Of: Entryways post, I thought it would be fun to assemble some budget-friendly finds that will add personality to your entryway (including plenty of hooks for all those stylish coats!). — Amy A.

Images above: 1. English Tavern Coat Rack, $99; 2. Buffalo Boot, $60; 3. Brass Horse Head Hook, $11.50; 4. Chalkboard Message Board, $18; 5. Bridle Hook, $6; 6. Chemist’s Jar (for change!), $28; 7. Wire Cube Wall Shelf, $89.95; 8. Hammered Brass Door Knocker, $38 and Hammered Brass Hook, $12

Images above from left: Horseshoe Wall Hook, $17; Block & Tackle Key Chain, $25 (I am so in love with this key chain!)

Images above: 1. Entry Butler, $20; 2. Color Spectrum Stick Umbrella, $40; 3. Glitter Bowls (for change), $26; 4. Mail Holder and Hook, $4; 5. Rain Boot, $60; 6. Spot Bowl, $28; 7. Wire Organizer, $49; 8. Swim Locker Basket (for shoe storage!), $34

CLICK HERE for more entryway accessories after the jump!

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