3 Affordable Ways to Look like a Globetrotter

[clockwise: Ellen Pompeo leans on an ikat pillow in her Hollywood Hills home, Elle Decor May 2010. Photographer Tim Street-Porter.  A french arm chair upholstered in Madeline Weinrib ikat. Uzbek toss pillows.]

Ikats, dhurries, Moroccan blankets, Tibetan details... all elements that tell your guests you've traveled the world. The hand-picked pillows and rugs you see scattered in homes like Grey's Anatomy's Ellen Pompeo (above) may very well be from those far-away lands, but for those of you who don't have the time (or budget) to grab a few silks in India along the way, the look is an easy and affordable one to get... if you know where to look.

[Image credits: Domino, Elle Decor. Issue date and Photographer unkown.]

You see ikat pillows tossed on sofas in all your favorite shelter mags -- ones by Madeline Weinrib and the like cost hundreds of bucks a piece. However, genuine Uzbek ikat pillows (pictured above) can be found via the holy grail of bargains -- ebay! These pillow covers fit standard sizes found at craft stores and cost only 25 bucks for a pair at ebay store uzcraft777

 Indoor/outdoor rugs are wonderful in high-traffic areas like dining rooms or entries, especially in busy prints that obscure a tiny spill, a few footprints, or a few crumbs here and there. Fab Habitat makes a reversible 6 x 9' Lhasa rug from recycled plastic that looks killer and can be sprayed down with a hose! Plus the 105.00 price point (we're talking 6 x 9' here, people) is incredible. If you need something a little smaller in size and price, check out Two's Company's Polypropylene reversible mat - it's only 52 bucks and boasts competitive durability to Fab Habitat's busier options.

You can also find gobs of gorgeous blankets and suzanis on ebay. Used as a bedspread or a throw, they're a gorgeous alternative to comforters and quilts. Uzcraft777 has them for around 99.00, but you can find them for as low as 45.00 if you're willing to look (and bid!). Domino and Elle Decor (above, respectively) offer up a few creative uses for the gorgeous textiles.

Have you ever used ikats or suzanis in your own home? The trend has been going strong for a few years now, so I'm betting a few of you have worked them in...

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