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In the ancient world the division between the rich and the poor was much greater. The princes of the earth had so much wealth that they could do just about anything they wanted. Meanwhile, the poor generally had just enough to survive on, and were forced to live however they could.

In the modern world this divide has lessened somewhat. Today even those who make a modest living can afford to live in a certain amount of grandeur. By shopping with a keen strategic eye, and applying a couple of simple design tricks, you can create a home that matches the luxurious palaces of old.

Colors

Until the developments of the industrial era, color was expensive. The average person wore plain clothes, had simple wood and clay furnishings, and owned very few items which had any significant color.

However their lives were not without tone. Governments, princes and kings would very often erect painted statues, commission grand paintings, and would decorate their homes in rich and contrasting wild colors. That is because to them, color meant wealth, it meant power and prestige. In the ancient world color was a sign of luxury.

In your own personal palace try decorating with rich and exotic colors to simulate that wealthy look. Brightly colored patterns, especially Persian and Indian designs, are especially good at simulating the wealth of a might sultan.

Reproductions

In a world of craftsmen and artisans, fine detailed furnishings are labor intensive and subsequently, outrageously expensive. However, we live in a world of machines, where any design can be churned out in a variety of materials and variations, and often, there is a cheaper model available too.

Even better, we now have the internet, a place where we can surf through the inventory of thousands of stores sniffing out that next great bargain piece and comparing prices on several different variations.

In such a world it is easy to bypass those expensive, of the now, trends in favor of a timeless antique classic reproduction. The exquisite work of artisans and craftsmen are now available at reasonable prices in a variety of stores, making it easy to fill your life with the same styles and designs used by monarchs throughout history.

Art

Nothing says luxury like artwork. It is the essence of class, and sophistication. A medium often reserved for museums, here too reproductions can help.

Art prints can be purchased in a variety of mediums ranging from simple posters to laser prints on luxurious silk. There are even printing techniques that can replicate the work on canvas, making it available to frame just like the real painting.

Art doesn’t have to mean just portraits either. It can involve tapestries, murals, and even painted furnishings, all much less expensive than they would have been to the kings and queens who bought them in ages past.

Conclusion

Luxury will always be a matter of taste. Certain items cost more, because they are perceived to be more valuable, due to nothing more than taste. However, the clever shopper will be able to spot timeless trends, and will use a strategic design, to create a frugal home that looks like a king’s castle.

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