Boujie Dream Buys
If you’ve been following me a long time, you’ll know that much, if not all of the interiors ideas I share are rooted in the hypothetical; “If I had a house, this would be how I’d decorate”, “This is my dream kitchen”, “I’d buy this if I had a house to put it in”. Like many Irish millennials, I’m locked out of the housing market (thanks, Irish government! *eye roll*). And like many Irish millennials, I pay a lot of money to rent a home in Dublin that I share with housemates. My creative control is very limited. I can add some window dressing to my own room, but have to be wary of how much I do to the communal spaces. And the fine-but-not-my-style kitchen cabinetry and furniture is there to stay.
I dream (if not obsess) over having my own space that I can properly settled into, with the security and privacy you just don’t get from shared rentals. And we all know that the opportunity to decorate and put my own stamp on it thrills me.
Recently I was messing around with my Gmail account and I inadvertently discovered some old pictures I had sent many moons ago in my Attachments, It’s from when I was first moving to Dublin and getting my first post-college flat. I can’t remember the context of the email attachment, but I know that it’s all pictures of my “2011 dream buys”. And you know what’s cool? In the last 13 years, I’ve accumulated almost all of it. Guess you could say it was almost like a vision board of stuff I manifested into reality.
With that in mind, I said, “Hey, why not give it another go?” Only this time, with the more mature, high-end dream buys I so desperately want in my future dream house. Manifestation. I’ll let you know in another 13 years if it works!
Forgive the poor quality, but above is my 2011 dream buys. The Mackenzie-Childs floral kettle , retro style appliances and Anthropologie textiles were very “21 year old me“. Though my tastes are more subdued and neutral now, I still love this ‘cottagecore’ style and am happy to have these in my kitchen today.
The Kitchenaid Artisan stand mixer in “Blossom”
I have a yellow one on my 2011 wish list, for a long time coveted a classic white one, but now the new Kitchenaid Artisan stand mixer in “Blossom“ is high up on my wish list. The pale pistachio colour combined with the hammered copper bowl makes my little heart sing. And at €869, it would want to.
Lobby Chair ES 104
One of the pricier items on this list (an eye-watering €7920), the iconic 1960 design is something I’ll be lucky to get a good counterfeit version of. The Lobby Chair was first designed to furnish the Time Life Building in New York, so if I ever get really, really rich, I’ll track down one of the originals.
Restoration Hardware ‘Cloud’ Couch
With prices starting at $1330 for just the ottoman, the famous Restoration Hardware ‘Cloud‘ couch is something I’ll probably be settling for a dupe of, unless I get very rich or very silly.
Perrin & Rowe Taps
The particular one I want, the Provence 3-in-1 Instant Hot Water Tap in Satin Brass , is over £2000, so I’ll have to apply some serious cost-per-use thinking if I ever want to justify that. Eeek.
A La Cornue Range
This is my absolute ultimate dream buy; the La Cornue Château 165 kitchen range. Prices go up to about €75,000, so wish me luck…!
The above picture is actually from Karen Elson’s Nashville home, designed by Pierce & Ward. This project was one of my absolute favourites, so I’ve written a whole post on it that you can check out here.
Bedding from The White Company
I recently pointed out some bedding from The White Company to my brother, and he told me he’s disown me if I ever spent €800 on bedding. I said “But I’d spent more time in bed than I would in a car. Would you disown me if I spent €800 on a car?“, to which he replied; “Yes, because if you bought a car for only €800 I’d disown you for being an absolute thick.“
Le Creuset’s Rhône Collection
I’m the very proud owner of a set of three Le Creuset saucepans in the now-discontinued Cobalt colour, have oven dishes in Meringue, a tea pot in a Sky Blue, but I would lovvvvve a casserole in this stunning Rhône colour. I usually stick to blues, greys and neutrals for kitchenware, but I’d gladly make an exception for the deep berry tone. At €395, I could apply the cost-per-use theory and totally justify it.
De Gournay Wallpaper
Hand-painted and stunning, the De Gournay wallpaper ain’t cheap. Prices start at about €800 per roll, so I’ll just do three or four rooms in it. Lawl.
Astier de Villatte Tableware
It’s so expensive and flimsy and would probably break after one use, but the delicate whimsy of Astier de Villatte ceramics is so pretty.
For more swoon-worthy homeware inspiration, check out my other interior design posts here. And keep an eye on my Instagram where I post creative ideas almost daily.
