When we first moved into this house I told myself we’d focus on one room at a time. We’d renovate one space, and I’d find the pieces to fill it as we worked on that space. Sounds reasonable right? Well, when you’re shopping on a budget and often for thrifted items: wrong.
I tend to be a bit anxious. Ok, a lot anxious. And easily overwhelmed. The idea of not touching a room until we’ve fully committed to it was in hopes to calm these two traits of mine, but throughout this process I’ve realized it’s just not reasonable. I can’t help what I find along the way that might be a good fit in another area of the house, and when you find something at a thrift store, you don’t have the luxury of a few days to think it over.
But more than my dilemma of buying things I don’t need yet is the dilemma of not finding the things I do need. The dining room has many of the key pieces in place, (I look forward to sharing those next week) but the reality is it’s missing a few of the finishing touches. It’s been frustrating, but I try to remind myself that decorating is a process. It takes time, and often the best spaces are never really finished.
In pondering these thoughts, I was reminded of some of my favorite, stylish women in this blog world. While many blogs will give you a room makeover in a few weeks, these women take their time. They are patient and selective, they are discipled and discerning, and they collect the most beautiful things while putting together some of the most incredible spaces. They design for the long haul, not what they think is the next great thing to hit the internet.
If you have a minute, you must check out Angela (The Painted House), Whitney (The Avarice), Ally (From the Right Bank) and Christina (Full House). Unfortuately for us, many of them do not blog on a set schedule, but be sure to follow them on Instagram for plenty of eye candy. They are incredibly talented, and inspire me with every single post!
I stepped away from searching today and put together this little vignette in my closet (mostly with items I’ve found while looking for things to complete the dining room). The black and white print can be found here, the box is from Homegoods, but everything else was thrifted. I figured the only place I could get away with a $2 topless statue in a house of inquisitive little ones is in the one place I seem to have some solace. No, not the bathroom – what is that about kids?
It felt good to do some styling – to take a moment to create instead of hunt. So, as we make our way through renovating this house, hopefully I’ll learn to chill out when it comes to the decor and just enjoy every step of the process. Fully finished or not, I love our dining room 100 times more now than I did before, and I’m sure I will feel the same with every room that gets popcorn scraped and walls treated.
katie gavigan says
Can relate, and agree, 100%. Totally feel the same pulls, and so very often reminding myself that it's worth it to be patient. Also have the same reality of finding "the perfect thing!!" while thrifting, and constantly shifting plans/priorities to make it work. Sooooo on the same page! Thanks for the reassurance and encouragement…and beautiful vignette. đŸ™‚
Lela B says
The statue represents Aphrodite, an ancient greek godess, well known as Venus de Milo!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_de_Milo!
Summer Hogan says
Great post Gwen and thanks for the intro to those new bloggers! I always have to remind myself to to slow down đŸ™‚
Beth of designPOST Interiors says
I can't wait to check out their feeds! It's so hard to have control and patience when our minds are so overwhelmed with design thoughts at every second of the day. You'll get there and I have no doubt the entire house will turn out amazing!
angela | the painted house says
Wise words, Gwen! And it's a daily reminder to pace and be patient, right? Especially when you know what you want and just can't find it! Or, there are the days when I just can't figure it out and I'm tempted to do what's easy (but not necessarily what I want) just to be done with it. But! Patience is the best design tool, I'm finding. But the hardest to utilize. And, absolutely, your dining room is already fabulous as you await the finishing touches. I think we as the designers get so caught up with the final vision we see in our heads that we forget the beauty others see in the process–sometimes I pray to see with another pair of eyes so I won't be crippled by overseeing things. I hope God doesn't mind our design dilemma prayers, ha! Because I pray 'em! The topless girl…you can do what I do and just have it out in the open and mortify your children in front of their friends. My kids pass it off with, "It's my mom's…she likes naked people." Oh, man, I died when I heard that. And, THANK YOU, for including me in such amazing company–I can't believe it. I count Ally and Christina as real life friends–they are as sweet and they are talented. Slow and steady wins the race…so I hear!
Julia Konya says
I guess we were both thinking of vignettes. Love yours
Kristin@bliss-athome.com says
That is the hard part of living in a constant state of renovation. I feel ya. I have hoards of thrifted items in my storage room just waiting for their new home. I love Ally from The Right Bank so I am sure I will love the others you mentioned. YAY! New blogs to check out! Have a fab weekend Gwen đŸ™‚ xoxo
FROM THE RIGHT BANK says
You are so sweet to include me in this group! When we moved into our current house, my goal was "slow and steady," having learned my lesson from always being in a hurry. It hasn't been easy because it's so against my nature(!) but I know that that's the way I'll ultimately create what I'll truly love. And creating vignettes like these and other pretty moments is a great way to keep motivated – especially when you're so good at it, like you! xo
Meg says
This is such a great post. I feel the same way as you! I feel so rushed to finish a space or fill up an empty space on a wall, but I need to learn to just chill out – the right piece at the right price will find me when the time is right (provided I keep thrifting on a regular basis!) I too am wary of those blogs that do complete spaces in 6 weeks or less. Decorating takes so much more time than that! I love spaces that are collected over time than the ones that are purchased from one store or decorated with one brand of fabric in one full swoop.
Lisa Harrison says
So true, great post. Have a look at Trinna's blog……http://acountryfarmhouse.blogspot.co.uk/…….she has found the perfect solution to this while doing up her home. Love, love, love the new sofa, so glad you did not go for what is becoming the increasingly safe option "the English roll arm sofa", it is everywhere on pinterest so I think I may be just bored with it now as lovely as they are. Yellow Brick Home blogs new sofa is also an amazingly huge sofa covered in a gorgeous bold choice colour.
Marti says
I am a new reader and absolutely love your style!