Home bloggers like myself are all a twitter with Anthropologie these days. Their flea market meets whimsy style easily brings a fun yet comfortable look to our homes (and our closets). I drool over the pages of the catalog and images on the website often…and then I jump back into (my) reality because their prices are super high.
Because of my budget, I’ve never actually set foot into an Anthropologie store. Okay, I take that back. I have been into an Anthropologie, but it was years and years ago (like mid 90s?) and they only had clothing back then. I am lucky enough to have two stores here in my little oasis in Texas, but they aren’t in areas of town I frequent and I hadn’t been moved enough to go there just to drool even more in person over things I can’t afford.
My parents were in town this weekend and we found ourselves near BOTH stores. My mom encouraged me to go in them (enabler!) and take a look around. I wish there would have been a video camera to capture my expression when I saw the price tag on the $498 lamp that looks eerily similar to the $50 lamp I saw at Lowe’s a few years ago. Insanity, folks!
At any rate, I started thinking about all of the similar styles I’ve seen for prices that are much more in alignment with my budget. Of course, Anthropologie has some items that are priced very reasonably (like their flower pots), but the majority of their home decor items can be easily replicated for less.
For example, this Anthropologie ruched white Cirrus duvet cover is fabulous. I’m a huge fan of washable white bedding, and I love this look. But for $208 for just the king size duvet, it’s a no can do for me.
Imagine my surprise when I found a similar look at Target. I picked up this king size duvet set (duvet and 2 shams) for around $60. Obviously, this unstyled stock photo from Target.com leaves a lot to be desired, but imagine it’s potential with a voluminous duvet inside – and all for $150 less than just the duvet cover from Anthropologie.
Another fun piece from Anthropologie is this Well Defined Ensemble lamp. You know my love of book pages in decor, so this lamp really caught my eye.
But for the $388 price tag (GASP), I think I’ll just mod podge some dictionary pages on to a lamp shade and stick it on this $20 Ikea Jonsbo Egby lamp. It’s the same look for a fraction of the price.
Fun, right? Well, don’t stop there! Even the simplest Anthropologie accessories can be found for a smaller price tag. For example, the style of their Vintage Garden Markers (set of 3 for $28) can be found for a steal at BasilicusJones, where you can get a custom set of 4 for $25.
Anthropologie
BasilicusJones
Anthropologie has some amazing hardware, too. Much of it is really unique, but you are really going to pay for having that uniqueness in your home. A lot of it, though, can easily be found elsewhere in styles that are nearly identical. For instance, you can buy this Checker Knob for $6.
Or, you can grab this one at Hobby Lobby for only $3 when all the knobs go on a half-price sale about once a month. You can get twice the number of knobs for the same price – and I’m fairly certain that it’s the exact same knob.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I didn’t walk out of Anthropologie empty handed. In fact, my dad noted that no one walked out of there empty handed. I picked up a few goodies but left with a lot more inspiration – fun tutorials to follow. 🙂
What “Anthropologie Style for Less” items have you seen in other stores? Do tell!
Check out that same duvet cover handmade:
http://www.madebylex.com/2010/11/anthropologie-cirrus-duvet-tutorial.html
And another one I love handmade from kojo:
http://kojodesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/kojotutorial-anthropologie-inspired.html
Very pretty! Love that 2nd one!
I just bought that very same duvet from Target about 2 weeks ago. The queen size I got was on clearance for $34!! I LOVE IT!! It’s so billowy and soft, like sleeping under a cloud.
Oooo thank you for the great ideas!! I too have to decorate on a budget. I love the lamp shade that you showed; I love making stuff with torn-out book pages and now I’ve got another future project on my list!
The Target by me had the king size duvet on clearance for $14.99! Take that Anthro! But seriously, I love there stuff…I just wish it were cheaper…
We don’t have one near where I live, but I went in the store for the first time when I was in Boston last summer. I took a bunch of pictures of their displays and items for inspiration because I knew I could make them cheaper too! My co-workers kept trying to get me to buy something and I kept telling them “heck no, I can make that!” Before I packed up all my stuff {boo} to renovate my craft room, I was working on an art piece for my dining room that consisted of dipping spoons into paint. I’ll let you know when I get it finished!
Thanks for the tip on the checkered knobs. I’m considering them for my kitchen but the Anthro price makes me pause…
My best “Anthro” deal is a cotton skirt I made from a green paisley tablecloth I bought at TJ Max. It didn’t work in my kitchen. Eventually it went into my fabric stash. I made a skirt out of it last weekend. Everyone asked me if I bought it at Anthro.
I love posts like this because there can always be better buys…in my opinion!
Love it, I am gonna check that duvet from Target, I have a really ugly gray/black one that I bought from Target a couple months ago because it was $11 and I needed a duvet lol but this white one would go perfect in my room and actually match!
i agree with you! i love finding things MUCH cheaper that look the same! i think i just might head to target today and check for that duvet! great blog!
Great minds think alike! I wanted that same Cirrus duvet and created my own Anthro-inspired master bedroom for hundreds less by buying a clearance duvet cover at Macy’s. You can check out my master bedroom maker if you have time at http://3littlechicks.blogspot.com/search/label/Master%20Bedroom.
Congrats to you!
LOVE the duvet cover, I saw it online and started drooling lol. I live in the Netherlands, so no Target here. But would love me that duvetcover duh…
That lamp is gorgeous and easy to copy.
Hugs from Marian
I was just drooling over knobs in Anthro on Monday night for a dresser I’m refinishing. Thanks for the tips!
Good stuff! I just posted last week about a TJMaxx find that I saw in the new Anthropologie catalogue last week. You can see pics of my Anthro find for less if you wanna check it out! I am like you- love the look, can’t do the price! Thanks for your finds!
http://alamodemaven.blogspot.com/2011/03/anthropologie-adoration.html
xoxo Shelli
ps- I caved and bought some knobs when I was there last week. I was weak. =)
I loved this post. You and I would be dangerous together.
I love anthropolgie as well, but more often than not, I hear myself saying to myself, “Yeah, I’m not paying that.”
I am a stay at home Mom in St. Louis who works nights and weekends at JoAnn fabrics. I worked 4 years before that @ Hobby Lobby.
I had a customer come in the other day and was trying copy a pair of embroidered curtians she saw that Athropologie -$150.00 a panel. Say it with me, “Yeah. I’m not paying that.”
She got sailcloth curtains @ Target and together we came up with a stencil design for the sides. It isn’t embroidery, but hey its close! . I hope it turned out!
I really like your blog BTW. Keep up the good work.
Oh, that’s cool! I bet that turned out great. And really – $150 a panel? No way!
Maybe one day when I’m in STL, we can go Anthro browsing together. My in-laws live there, too. LOL
of course I had to post this for you…my first giveaway…and its an anthro ‘ish’ find that I think you will recognize….lol..xoxo, Shel
http://www.alamodemaven.com/2011/04/giveaway-anthropologie-inspired-ceramic.html
I thought since all of you are anthro ‘look’ lovers like me, you’d like to see my anthro know ‘splurge’ since I told you that I caved, ha ha. Oh, if only I could blink and know how to sew so I too could make some anthro’esque panels for the windows!!
Here are the pics I posted today:
http://alamodemaven.blogspot.com/2011/03/pretty-in-pink-office-redo.html
It’s me again! I posted another Anthropologie’esque find yesterday and I thought you guys might like to head to your TJMaxx/Marshalls/HomeGoods and look for one yourselves….xoxo Shelli
http://alamodemaven.blogspot.com/2011/03/chic-boho-bargains.html
Thanks for the post. Anthropologie is really way over-priced but they do offer some great ideas for the DIY-er.
OHhhh I am an anthro freak! I took Mr Gorgeous (my darling hubby) into one the day before Valentine’s Day and he went right along with me…LOL..pretending he “got it!” poor guy!! I tend to have to take a notebook in with me to write down all of the ideas!! I’m swept away by the embroidered kitchen towels or the aprons…*sigh*. I will drive out of my way to go for some inspiration. I’m in Houston, so I’m excited they opened a new one on the west side of town! 🙂 love your blog!! keep up the inspiration!!
I made my own version of the Cirrus duvet cover for just under 60$ !
http://themarimakes.blogspot.com/2011/08/budget-anthropologie-duvet.html
Love that idea about the ikea lamp though! Such a good spot on how similar they are.
Hi! I have that exact duvet, but unfortunately paid FULL price a year ago. I wish I had seen your blog before I bought it. I, too, love (practically) all things Anthropologie and find their price way out of my stay-at-home-mom budget. So, I am always on a look out for good Anthro Style for less. Loving their vintage inspired clothing, but not having the money for it, I decided to open an online business selling just that: vintage inspired clothing-Anthropolgie style with a little modern twist. PLEASE check it out and tell me what you think?
Hi! I have that exact duvet, but unfortunately paid FULL price a year ago. I wish I had seen your blog before I bought it. I, too, love (practically) all things Anthropologie and find their price way out of my stay-at-home-mom budget. So, I am always on a look out for good Anthro Style for less. Loving their vintage inspired clothing, but not having the money for it, I decided to open an online business selling just that: vintage inspired clothing- Anthropolgie style with a little modern twist. PLEASE check it out and tell me what you think?
I wonder if Anthropologie designers troll the web and pick up ‘ideas’ from those that are truly creative and then make similar objects. I’ve seen stuff at the shop that can only be copies of decorations that are basically home-made but selling from a lot of $$$$$.
well, from one Anthro-lover to another, I am extending you an invitation to ‘spot the Anthro’ on my site. It will be fairly easy, as usually it’s well advertised with big titles, but you are right, Anthro has such a distinct style, it’s wonderful to learn to think like them and create a great nest.
Rose