By Pegah Aarabi
I read Architectural Digest. This is something that I confess coyly because I assume that you’re thinking I must be rich, that I “do lunch” and that I have more plastic components than a Barbie doll. But I’m actually a fairly modest (and non-plastic) individual who just happens to love great home accents and design. I do want my home – all 800 square feet of it – to look and feel like each piece has specifically been flown in from exotic locations like my South East Asian statues, Chinese embroidered cushions, Turkish rug, Moroccan stool, and Peruvian throw.
Now for another confession: I haven’t been to any of these places. Equally, I do not frequent auction houses for one-of-a-kind pieces. I do scour local marketplaces, home décor stores and even garage sales and in exploring, I’ve learned that unique design elements don’t have to be expensive.
With the rich multicultural heritage of many Canadians, you’d be surprised by what you can find at local garage sales and moving sales. With enough patience, everything from furniture, to home accents like picture frames, lamps and statues can be found, with their origins being as unique as the items themselves. My favorite garage sale find is a Japanese coffee table with a peacock carved design on top, which is great for sushi parties. Favorite finds aside, I’m more of a garage sale organizer than attendee because it’s a great way to make room for new items.
If you don’t have time to look for hidden gems amongst the garage sale clutter, you can opt to go to local markets like Kensington Market in Toronto, with vendors that offer home accessories and accents for far less than you would expect – I love my $3 Asian bamboo print soap dish.
For everyday home shopping try home décor stores like HomeSense and Pier 1 Imports, which import their finds from exotic locations like Indonesia and often have just a few pieces of any given item. It’s like having your personal shopper travel abroad for you and all you have to do is choose! Prices vary from completely reasonable to slightly expensive, depending on the item, but do visit often as with these stores, new stock arrives continuously.
Before you know it, your home will be filled with priceless treasures and if you shop smart they truly will be nearly priceless.
Check for the latest warehouse sales to find your hidden treasures...
