Any day is a good day to pick up a bargain!

Many of the websites I include in My Secret Database have a “Sale” or “Clearance” section where they feature items that have been marked down.  This is a fabulous place to find some incredible value for your money.  Whether you are searching for the finishing touch or seeking a treasure that sets the tone for your room, you are bound to find some awesome deals that are hard to resist.  Here are a few incredible items that are easy on your budget:

First is the Tenpo Open Console Bookcase from Room and Board.  I love the simple lines of this piece which could be used in many settings.  It would be at home in your office, dining room or at the foot of your bed as a bench/storage piece.  $499 (was $999)

Second, while browsing through the Horchow website I found this beautiful Cherry Blossom print that is textured to look like a painting.  The vivid turquoise sky against the delicate pink cherry blossoms would be a fantastic focal point in any room.  The frame alone is worth the price.  $299

Lastly, these elegant Portico Crystal Lamps from Restoration Hardware are one of those great design classics.  Crystal lamps are at home in Modern and Classic homes and I can guarantee you will hang onto them for a long time to come.  Pop a new lamp shade on and you have a whole new look .  They offer two shade styles in ten different colors!  $214.99 (was $444) At this price you can get two for the price of one.  (A little feng shui hint - try to accessorize in pairs in your bedroom to enhance harmonious energy.)

Make sure you read the fine print. Sometimes marked down items are not returnable.  Also, don’t wait too long to make a decision as many of these items are in limited quantities.

This is affordable luxury at its best!

Bellini Chair from Design Within Reach

1. Good looks - These chairs only make a few appearances a year but it’s most often on holidays.
2. Comfort - I want every guest to stay seated as long as they please, not getting up because their bottom is numb.
3. Easy to store - Stackable is my preference. The folding chairs seem to get creaky and easily scratched when they are leaning up against one another.
4. Low maintenance - Something that will not stain and can be wiped clean easily.

My favorite is the one shown above. It is the Bellini Chair from Design Within Reach. They say it’s suitable for commercial use which means it’s super tough and easy to clean. The design has such clean lines that it would work with anything from traditional to modern. White, charcoal, dove grey and black. $110 each.

Another great option is the Morrow Chair from Pottery Barn. These are also stackable and are reminiscent of a great post-modern design. It comes in black, mahogany and white. One chair for $79 and there are volume discounts for sets of 6 and 8.

Plan ahead for your next large gathering!

Morrow Chair from Pottery Barn

Holiday entertaining can be a challenge as we try to store all the food and spirits we share with family and friends. Wine coolers are great but often it’s hard to find a convenient location for them if you did not have one built into your kitchen. The Wine Enthusiast is a company that is the Ultimate Source for Everything Wine. They have all sorts of wine coolers including furniture that does double-duty as a wine cooler. The TriBeCa Wine Credenza above holds 60 bottles of wine. It can serve as a nice sideboard in your dining room or foyer table in your front hallway. They also have simple table-top coolers that carry as few as 6 bottles to fit into the tightest spaces.

And what’s better with wine than chocolate! VivaTerra is a company that carries some very cool Eco-friendly furnishings. They also carry great gifts such as these Organic Chocolate Bonbons. Beautiful on a party platter and I am sure taste as good as they look. Yum!