Be stylish without breaking the bank

STYLISH pieces don’t have to cost a fortune. Good taste knows no price and with a trained eye it is now more possible to achieve an enviable style without spending a fortune.

I regularly look to luxury magazines for inspiration (Elle, World of Interiors and Vogue Living) and then interpret those looks affordably. But, like most winning strategies, this habit requires a little dedication, creativity and time.

◗ STICK WITH A THEME – AND CREATE CLUSTERS: For instance, if you love a cool white, beachside theme, stick with it. Looks work most dramatically when you create clusters. Layers of white on whites, lashings of plants or a cluster of paintings, the look always has more impact on a large scale.

◗ GETTING LUCKY: There is no shame in shopping with the low-cost retail giants. If you develop an eye for style, you can often pick up some stunning pieces that look far more expensive than what they actually cost.

◗ OLD AND GOLD: You can strike gold with vintage buys that allow you to purchase quality pieces with character, often handmade and for a fraction of the cost of a comparable quality new piece.

◗ CHECK FOR SALES: If you are hankering after a piece that is priced beyond your budget, search online, or even set a search to be regularly updated on sales.

◗ INVEST IN ‘KEEPERS’: There are some major pieces that are keepers, such as sofas, bedroom suites and dining tables. These are pieces you would like to keep for years, if not decades.