As a result, I don't love my home. Let me clarify. I love it because it's where the people I adore the most hang out and because I can relax here. But I don't love the way it looks and it doesn't reflect my personality (except the disorganization--that's me to a T!) It's time to branch out and fall in love with my home.
This blog is one of my favs. In the past, one of my biggest roadblocks to home decorating is that I know it won't be perfect and so I don't even start. The Nester's philosophy of decorating is "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." I'm starting to embrace that concept and it's so freeing!
I went garage saleing with a good friend last Saturday and found a light fixture that I fell in love with. It was super cheap (nine bucks), but has no glass. I decided that nine dollars was worth the risk of having it sit in the basement if I never bothered to buy the glass.
However, I didn't put it in the basement after I brought it home. I left it on the floor of the dining area. Hubders (who didn't even like the light) put it up yesterday! (Thanks sweetheart!) I LOVE it!!! It's not perfect, incomplete as it is, but it's beautiful!
This is my old fixture (actually this one is just like it and hangs over my stairs--nice, huh?). It's shiny and tired looking and only gives off 180 watts of light.
Here's the new one. It's distressed and has character. It's big and fab! It gives off soooo much more light than our old one. My dining area is so flooded with light as I type this that the kitchen lights are rendered unnecessary. Imperfect, but puts the old fixture to shame!
(Tangent: This picture shows two of my favorite things in my home, the chocolate donut clock, which I found at a junk shop. It's cheap and covered in naugahyde and I have to keep re-hot gluing in spots, but I LOVE it! The other, the $20 mirror I found at walmart one day. Also notice our nook for the entertainment center we've yet to build. Believe it or not, what you see is a HUGE improvement. Until last week it had a small tv stand, a side table and a small coffee table all lined up in the nook for our media needs.) I don't know how long it will take me to find the right glass. I need eight of them, and I won't spend an arm and a leg, so this could take a while. But, in the meantime, I'm so excited over the beauty of my light that who cares if you can see the white part you screw the bulb into? It's such an improvement that I'm happy to live just like this for a while!
One more shot, a close up, just 'cuz I can, and it makes me happy! (if you click on the picture you can make it full size and truly see the beauty of my $9 light!)
I love it, and I can't wait to see it....when I come out there next! Huh, I just realized that I currently have no plans to come visit you. Maybe I should make some!
ReplyDeleteThat is so great! Although, I'm surprised that you don't like your house. I have always thought that it was beautifully decorated. You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteHooray for bargins! (and I need to get in on this garage sale stuff!)
ReplyDeletePeople love our home and often comment about its beauty, spirit and decor. I learned the secret many, many years ago as a teen visiting the home of one of my YW leaders. She had a gorgeous dining room. When I commented on it, she grinned mysteriously, then lifted the cloth so I could see beneath the table. Lo and behold! It was a piece of plywood resting on sawhorses, covered with lace.
ReplyDeleteOur entire 3500 square feet is done in the best of Goodwill and Salvation Army. Drapes, rugs, pillows, pictures, etc. etc. Many other objects and pieces were give-aways. Those pieces purchased "new" were always on major mark-downs. I promise: you would NEVER know it. Having an eye for quality and barely-used, or never-used items at discount stores is critical...maybe its a gift, but I think anyone can learn it.
Keep up the garage sale-ing (I did an entire nursery exquisitely for less than %100 that way) and come by Mona's Musings soon. Did you know we are moving to London soon and will be all over Europe....? Furnishing a London flat will be a whole new adventure!
Love,
Mona
www.monasmusings.com
Fantastic! It's SUCH a great feeling to make progress on your 'nest'! You might try looking for little shades that will fit on your lightbulbs--look at Home Depot, or for sales at lighting stores. I'm about to tackle my girls room. It's inspiring!!
ReplyDeleteFantastic find..and the $9.00 makes it even better! PS...cute song last night. You are so talented!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cool light! Try Lowe's for the glass. That's where we got ours and they sell them by the piece and have quite a few styles to pick from. They were cheap too, $2 (I think)
ReplyDeleteDon't know if these are something you'd like, but I just saw them in the clearance section of potterybarn.com. http://www.potterybarn.com/products/mix-match-square-glass-shade/popup/more-views.html
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