Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Give Your Pad a Little Pow: 5 Home Decor Items Worth Splurging On

Luke-Irwin-Cashmire-Rug
Image used with permission by copyright holder
You treat yourself to fancy beard oils or an expensive meal, so why not treat your home to a luxury item or two? Here’s our roundup of home decor items worth splurging on (and five just-as-sophisticated, budget-friendly alternatives for the everyday gentleman).

$470 Candle from Jo Malone

Image used with permission by copyright holder

What do the homes of the uber wealthy smell like? Apparently pomegranates. Or lime, basil, and mandarin. Available in four varieties, Jo Malone luxury candles are well-known as some of the most expensive in the world. The Wild Fig & Cassis is ideal for infusing a rich, sophisticated scent throughout your home.

For everyday: CB2’s Teakwood and Tobacco soy candle. At just $17.95, it will leave your house smelling manly and refined.

The Sidecar from Moore & Giles

Moore & Giles: The Making of the Sidecar

What host doesn’t want to wow their guests with fancy cocktails served from a sleek bar set? Thankfully, Moore & Giles is here with a carefully designed bar cart to complement your carefully crafted drinks. The Sidecar is a collaboration between Moore & Giles and famed bartender Jim Meehan. This handmade bar cart features a butcher block-like top specially designed to contain spills, shelves padded with leather, and leather-lined serving trays. It’ll cost you $13,500 for this walnut, birch, aluminum, and leather masterpiece, but isn’t that worth the impressed looks on your guests’ faces?

For everyday: Joss & Main’s Barrington Serving Cart. Just over $100, this two-tiered rolling cart is perfect for an urban style loft space. Complete your mini bar with Macy’s Bormioli Rocco, Dedalo 7-piece whiskey set.

19th Century, George IV Mahogany Cheval Mirror from 1stdibs

Image used with permission by copyright holder

One of the best ways to brighten a space is to add a floor mirror. It not only reflects light but also creates the illusion of making the room appear bigger. And, if you’re going to invest in a floor mirror, why not go all out with a pristine, early 1800’s, mahogany and brass one? For just $4,500 (plus $299 shipping) you can own a piece of history and add serious style to your space. This mirror is in such excellent condition it still has the original glass – meaning you could be looking into the same mirror that an English duke used in his dressing parlor.

For everyday: Target’s Threshold Wood Grain with Metal Foil Edge Floor Mirror. Just $75.99, this mirror is a more sleek, minimalist option.

Hand-Knotted Cashmere Rugs from Luke Irwin

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Luke Irwin is bringing us the next level of luxury home decor. His hand-knotted cashmere area rugs are so luxurious that it’s almost a crime to walk on them. But just imagine what it would feel like to walk barefoot across one of these masterpieces. His Mosaic Collection is inspired by 2,000-year-old Roman mosaics that he discovered in his own garden. Each rug is knotted in such a way as to create the look of faded mosaic tiles. Starting at around $15,000, each rug is custom made in either wool, silk, or cashmere (seriously, go with the cashmere).

For everyday: Overstock’s Faux Rawhide Area Rug. Just $79, this machine-made rug is ultra durable and will add a touch of the Southwest to your space.

Classic, Hand Blocked Wallpaper from Zuber

Image used with permission by copyright holder

If Zuber is good enough for the king of France or to grace the walls of the White House, it certainly deserves a place in your home. Since 1797, Zuber has crafted one-of-a-kind wallpaper using hand-carved wooden blocks — a technique they still use to this day. The scenics are Zuber’s claim to fame, and it’s easy to see why. From landscapes to battle scenes, each scenic is intricately detailed and lovingly painted by hand. We especially love the Hindustan — nearly 44 feet long and 13 feet high, it is an elaborate mural that is printed using the original woodblocks.

At up to $30,000 for a complete mural, this is the most expensive item on this list. But, Zuber also offers an extensive collection of wallpapers, prints of the scenics to use as wall art for $50, and wood blocked prints from the 1920’s. Contact their NYC showroom to place your order.

For everyday: Anthropologie’s Etched Arcadia Mural. Just $298, this simple, graphite-hued mural is removable so you can easily change up your look.

Kelsey Machado
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kelsey is a professional interior designer with over a decade of experience in the design field. With a passion for…
All of James Cameron’s films, ranked
From Terminator and Titanic to Avatar, these are the best James Cameron movies ever made
James cameron filming Terminator

Few directors understand the popular imagination the way that James Cameron does. He's had commercial instincts since early in his career, and he has now directed three of the five most financially successful films ever made. Given that legacy, it can be easy to mock what Cameron does because it's so overtly populist. He is not always a subtle director, but it's hard to deny that he's an effective one. Unlike some of Martin Scorsese or David Fincher films, James Cameron movies turn into big blockbusters every time, and he always makes them well.
Now, as we look back on his career to date, it's easy to see the throughlines between each of his projects. One thing you might notice: This guy really loves water. Here's every movie Cameron has ever made, ranked.

9. Piranha II: The Spawning (1982)

Read more
Ranked: The 11 best Bill Murray movies ever
He's starred in a lot of films, but if you're a fan, you must see these Murray movies
Bill Murray from Lost in Translation

A name that is and should be widely recognized in comedy, Bill Murray has been around to provide laughs for decades. Bringing his own unique qualities to the screen, Murray has carved for himself a niche based on his personality that simply cannot be copied. Between his masterful physical comedy to his perfectly timed and hysterical line deliveries, Bill is truly a one-of-a-kind talent. From his many roles over the years, the films he stars in are either because a certain director or repeat collaborator has a great bond with him, or simply because he is able to steal the spotlight no matter the assignment. Due to this, he has been given opportunities to play cameos in later films such as Dumb and Dumber To, Get Smart, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and a cameo as himself in Zombieland, which has got to be his best cameo.
All the way from wacky and zany to introspectively deep, Bill Murray portrays a lifetime of emotions in our list of films today. If you watch him closely enough, his performative nuances will make you laugh, cry, and think about what it truly means to be an actor. Murray is loved as a human being worldwide (for the most part), who has reportedly shown his face at random bars and parties just for a kick, becoming the owner of four minor league baseball teams, spontaneously studying philosophy and history in Paris, and starting his own golf apparel line. These and many other reasons are why we are here today to celebrate his accomplishments on screen, so sit back and scroll through the 10 best Bill Murray movies ever.

11. Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Read more
The 9 best golf movies of all time – from Caddyshack to The Legend of Bagger Vance
Do you love the game? Then get inspired to get back out there by watching these movies
Happy Gilmore

When it comes to sports movies, some of our favorite films have always been golf adjacent. There's just something about this slow-paced and overwhelmingly frustrating game that we can't get enough of. So now that spring has arrived, it feels like the perfect time to go back and rewatch some of the best golf movies of all time.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or a complete amateur, these great golf films have a little something for everyone. Whether you're looking to experience the drama of the game through a comedy or a biographical spotlight, we've got you covered.

Tommy's Honour (2017)

Read more