Home Sweet (and affordable) Home

So the economy has you spending more time at home these days. And you may be asking yourself some somber questions. Like what were you thinking when you bought that floral-infused couch?! Or why you never noticed before now just how bare the walls are.

Time for a refresh. If inspiration can’t come from your home, where is it going to come from? But how can you get a new look without piling on more debt? If your answer is to head to the clearance section at the nearest big-box franchise, we have some advice for you.

Don’t. You can do better. A lot better. We’ve been there; we know.

Think salvaged-iron-balcony-turned-coffee-table. Striking candelabras that-with simple, affordable round glass tops-become side tables. An old ottoman recovered in a bold patterned fabric that’ll make you smile every time you see it.

We love this kind of contemporized design – the mix of old and new, elegance and animation. That’s why we got a few goose bumps when we first entered Parker-Sims Interiors, a small studio nestled in a restored warehouse in the Noisette neighborhood of North Charleston.

Here, the trademark style is vintage chic blended with modern vogue for an ambiance that manages to be eclectic and classic at the same time. No trace of kitschy convention or Victorian frills.

And, it’s a custom look you can get with a price tag that won’t come close to breaking the bank.

“There’s a common misconception that hiring a designer will be more expensive,” says Ivie Parker, who conceived the two-woman shop alongside partner and Principal Designer Adrian Sims.

The duo works with plenty of clients who start out small and expand as budgets allow. They may take on one room at a time, completing a house over the course of a year. Or start with a few rugs, save up for a custom piece of furniture and gradually add window dressings and accent pieces.

Sound enticing? It gets even better. The pros have access to exclusive wholesale discounts on everything from light fixtures to fabrics. That means a custom look for clients with a price tag that beats many of the big box goods.

There is one downside, so be forewarned. When all is said and done, you may not want to leave home again.

www.ParkerSimsInteriors.com

Story by Heather Mueller