I love beautiful things and it kind of makes my head spin to open a decorating magazine or check someone's blog and see yet another thing or look that I could go for in a second!
It's laughable, because my house can't be all white (which I love, like this Scandinavian blog) and bursting with color (which I also love, like this crazy brain-exploding look*).
I think it's helpful to see what other people are doing — I've gotten great ideas from amazingly creative people! Most of all, I've gotten affirmation in…imperfection!
But sometimes, as this lady mentions, too much information on decorating does create that unsettled discontent feeling…
So how's a girl to figure things out?
Here's my answer: Don't think of it as decorating. Think of it as creating an environment in your home that is beautiful in a practical, humble way; that helps you keep order; and that makes others comfortable! And try as much as possible to use what you already have!
Take a long long time before you go out and buy something new. Keep asking yourself, “do I already have something that I could use for this? Could I clean something up, paint something, or fix something to fit this purpose in a pleasing way? What solutions did others find?” This last question means checking up on your favorite decorating blogs! 🙂
I'm not a huge fan of my white Formica counter tops or standard wooden cabinets, but they are what I already have. I tried to use paint and accents to make them beautiful for us. And you know what? I really love my kitchen now.
I know one thing: if we had gone deep into debt to get something all gleaming, matching, and perfect, and then I had come across something “make-do” but pleasing in a magazine or on a blog, I would be mad at myself! Of course, if what you have is gleaming, then you'll just have to go with that! 😉
If you find you really do need to buy something to make things better in your home, ask your guardian angel to help you find the right thing — and by right, I mean something that fits the purpose and the budget and is pleasing to the senses — not necessarily something that would be right in a magazine shoot.
You will be surprised at what you find!
*I linked to a post of hers that has amazing color and reveals how her pictures look so glowing…just to keep it real, you know?
Ann Kroeker says
What a great post–and I *love* the results of your kitchen based on this excellent (in my thrify opinion) philosophy.Great minds think alike…and great culinary tastes are brought together by Nutella.
Ann Kroeker says
(that would be "thrifty")
Pippajo says
Well said. I, too, have come away from other blogs with the "I-wants". And that's when I remind myself of how much we've accomplished with so little. A little creativity and ingenuity go a loooooong way.Thanks for the reminder.
Anonymous says
I think your posts have inspired this question!How can we "use what we have"?We have started doing that more and more…after years of making do on almost everything, we finally took the plunge and spent a little money on some simple changes (shelves installed in the laundry room, new flooring in the bathroom, paint), that's when the economy went bonkers.Funny timing. That's the last time we hire anyone to help us.We'll fumble along on our own from here on out.
Ann Kroeker says
I accidentally posted as "anonymouse," but this is Ann Kroeker.
Ann Kroeker says
Oh, how cute…anonymouse…Clearly I need a nap.
Spring says
I just found you today, and I have sat here and read about 10-12 different posts, I am so resonating with your blog! I am inspired to overcome our very YELLOW (nearly mustard yellow, but brighter) Formica countertops in some way, after this post. Hmmm….