“It’s Complicated” ? Not Really!

 

I certainly hope you’ve seen the latest Nancy Meyers movie, “It’s Complicated”, a delightfully dishy romantic comedy, which stars Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, and Alec Baldwin. If you haven’t, it is a MUST.

Clients keep referring to the house in the movie and wanting a similar look – so we delved into it and got the scoop on the products.

After intensive research, we determined that the overall price for The Great Room, as it was outfitted in the show, was between one and one and a half gazillion dollars. “Hollywood” can spend that much, but you don’t have to! We pared it down to the main factors that make this room so inviting, and, point-by-point, we found reasonably-priced alternatives!

 

 

1. Chunky, Hunky Coffee Table

Let’s start with that huge, hunky, coffee table in the center of the room. The one in the movie set is Lucca Studio Royce Coffee Table, size: 50”x50”x19” for $6,500.00 , a bit too rich for your blood? No problem!

OUR IS: Custom made, also of reclaimed, historic wood by Bryan Black of Concepts Created www.conceptscreated.com 540.447.4695,  an amazing carpenter and great guy who is located in Waynesboro, Virginia $1,075.00

 

 

 

It is not just a table it’s a story that will last generations to come.

* White Oaks planks were reclaimed from a barn in Weyers Cave, VA which was built around 1880’s.

* Traditional colonial building techniques like draw-bore pins, mortise and tenon joinery, pegs and dowels. No screws or nails use.

* Clam shell Symbol–Bryan’s great grandfather (12 generations) was  John Alden, the ship’s carpenter on the Mayflower.

No more Restoration Hardware for me,  Bryan Black  is my new favorite resource for affordable reclaimed wood  furniture.

 

 

2. The Sofa

We estimate the NM cost at about $6,000.00 for her beautiful, linen slip covered sofa. But you can slip right out of that expense and go for….

OURS: We love our equally gorgeous, kid and pet friendly, but more affordable Loreiei Sofa from SimplicitySofa.com

for way way less at $1,049.00 (slipcover $399)

 

The sofa came in 3 boxes and was assembled in 10 minutes.  Check this kid out!

Folks, If you live in northern VA and space is an issue, you’ll want to keep their information handy.

 

3. FIRE PLACE

Nothing creates a cozy focal point better a fireplace does. If you have one, great. If not, fake it!

OURS IS: From Victorian Fireplace Shop, www.gascoals.com

First, we found a 54″ wide VENICE ELECTRIC FIREPLACE SUITE, at $1599 ($500 off while supplies last). We all love Horchow, but that’s the cost of just their mantle-no fire, no heat!

OURS IS: We planned a day trip to Richmond to visit the Victorian Fireplace Shop, www.gascoals.com 804-355-1688 for their HUGE selection of “faux” fireplace options. Electric is the way to go for us busy Northern Virginians; it’s super-convenient and there’s no messy installation process - just unbox your fireplace, plug it in and enjoy instant ambiance!

 

4. Chair

The Set Designer found theirs at George Smith at $5,000.00

OURS IS: Handmade by Master craftsman and furniture designer, Arthur L. Bailey & Co  for $1,100.00- www.arthurlbailey.com

 

Arthur Bailey has built custom furniture for celebrities, sports figures and dignitaries for over 40 years!

5. Bright Orange Chair

We really love this look, and the punch of paprika is delish, but only the incredibly brave would invest a portfolio on an orange chair. You don’t have to. Two ideas for this: Buy a simple, cotton slip cover and a box of orange dye or…. (sounds crazy but trust me) buy a reasonably-priced version of the chair in white or beige and deploy upholstery spray paint! You’ll find “Burnt Orange” right here, http://www.simplyspray.com/upholstery.html along with directions.

 

6. Accessories

How cool is that enormous glass bowl of artichokes… porcelain artichokes, that is! You can opt for: Porcelain artichokes by Carole Stupell for a mere $175.00 each (we DO hope they come with a Vinaigrette for that price!)… or

OURS ARE: Just-as-great-looking Artichokes $19.99 from Country Door

I’ve used these artichokes in several projects this year, just love them!

 

7. Floor Covering

Invest in a quality rug.  We checked around town and  ”canvased” the Internet and found a very reasonable option: Sisal Rugs Direct. Every rug is made to order, you choose the specs. And best of all FREE shipping in the US.   Be sure to check out their site for sales AND order several FREE swatches!

We chose: 14′-4″x 14′-4″, Sienna Brasilia Sisal, Extra-wide binding in Honey color, blind stitched for just $1,744.00

www.sisalrugs.com 1-888-613-1335

 

8. WALL COLOR

Ahhh… paint. Wonderful, never expensive, available in all colors. It’s by Benjamin Moore and the color is Tapestry Beige.

 

 

9. Art

I grant you that the Mitchell Johnson landscape over the fireplace does bring all the right colors into focus… and for $4,500.00… it should! But for the more sensible cost of $193.98 you could also choose Embudo Cliffs or Monterey Cypress, available at Encore Editions on stretched canvas, sent right to your door! www.encore-editions.com,

1-888-415-4434

 

 

10. Throws

Final touches… for snuggling, napping and adding more texture to the room, we found Bedford Cottage throws in indigo & mandarin for only $69.99 at bedfordcottage.com,

800-242-1537

To round it all out, add a few pillows in the earth tones, bright navy, and orange. Don’t for get the trick from number 5, above; if you can’t find the colors easiy…. then just dye another day!

A little project of mine…

Turned into this…

 

YOU’RE DONE! and you’re UNDER BUDGET ! and have a fabulous, pulled-together room to rival the movie version that fans are raving over. Invite the girls over for a slumber party; wine, cheese, conversation, fun… and if a Baldwin happens to drop-in, give the guy a chance!