Thought I would share with you some of the things I am loving every week. This might be a pair of shoes that I literally dream about, a clever storage ottoman, a Sunburst mirror, an Etsy painting, an antique spool cabinet. Just things that make me smile. Oh yes, and covet...!
I'm currently on a home-furnishing kick. I am notoriously decide-o-phobic about buying things for my home--each purchase just seems so permanent, it's as if you are agreeing to marry that sofa or chandelier! My current approach to whether I need a particular piece is supremely absurd and I may be exhibiting my borderline mental illness by sharing this with you, but I'm feeling particularly vigilante today...!
-First, I try to forget about the piece.
-Then, if a few days go by and it is still residing somewhere in my mind I find it online and keep that window on my computer open.
-The window stays open for a few days.
-In that few days I often go and look at the piece and often close the window with a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
-If that is not the case and I go to the window after a few days and still feel my heart race faster, I press the magic button: "Add to cart."
-Then, I close the window.
-Then, the next day, if I feel that sort of panic--that sort of "What if it's not there anymore? What if that was the last one? What will i do?"--then and only then do I (a) purchase the piece; and (b) come up with an explanation for my husband as to why we need an electric blue armoire/Arc lamp/curator nightstand...!
Life is about the journey folks...!
Here are some of the the beautiful thing I am currently going through my process with. As you will see, I am all over the map in terms of home-furnishing. Sometimes I want ultra-modern, sometimes the more bric-a-brac the better. I call it a love of juxtaposition, but I know full well that others may call it utterly confused...
I love this embossed metal Raj chair and can imagine it tucked away in an alcove or being one of many mis-matched chairs around a modern dining room table. The problem is: I don't have an alcove. Or a dining table with mismatched chairs. But these are minor points.
I want to keep this typewriter on the console table in our entry way so guests can leave messages when they leave. A perpetual guestbook!
My friend L. hung panels of this in her home to create three separate spaces out of one room--it looked magical. I would love to use them as decorative wall panels.
This is just cool--check out this site, actually, for all sorts of witty accessories for the home, including one of my all-time favorite purchases, this "Pearl Necklace" mirror.
Finally--simple, modern bunkbeds:
I've been trying to justify this telephone-table for 3 months. Perhaps I can use it as a crib?!?
And how do I even begin to describe what I like about this entire room? The word the comes to mind: DROOL. Totally practical set-up for a family with 3 kids under 4 right?
Obviously shopping isn't on the forefront of anybody's mind in this economy. But that doesn't mean that we can't develop our own sense of style and appreciate the things we find beautiful. For me, there is a joy in discovering treasures amongst all the junk out there. Plus, I get inspired by things of beauty--they make me want to create myself. Half of the things I love are aspirational--either because I could never afford them or because they just doesn't make sense in my life--but even these sorts of objects can inform my still nascent and always-evolving tastes and aesthetic...
Case in point? Just because I'm not going to own that sequined telephone cabinet doesn't mean I didn't, last night, attempt to sequin a pair of old shoes...!
Deepa is a wife, mother, writer and she sometimes masquerades as a lawyer as well. She revels in friendship, humor, champagne, and laughing at herself--often. She never ever reads US Magazine, thinks Rushdie is a genius, wishes she could write one sentence as funny as "Arrested Development," and lives in the Bay Area with her motley crew. She can be reached at deviswithbabies@gmail.com
MUST. HAVE. THE. CHAIR!! where do you get it???
Your process is almost exactly the same as mine! I know it's freaky but it works! I am sure your husband makes fun of you endlessly. At least mine does!
I don't even know what a telephone cabinet is and I want that!
Yay, you're bringing back the shopping posts! Beauty stuff next I hope.
Ohmygosh, where is that photo of the loft from?? My sister just moved into a loft space in NY (24 and single, the glory days!) Gonna send her this photo.
Cool stuff, like the typewriter. Def not shopping these days but I agree that "window shopping" isn't as depressing as it used to be and it can spark creativity. Or just be an escape. My husband calls my home design magazines "porn for women"!
LOL. I "bookmark" the websites of the items that I covet. Here's one of my favorites: www.cedarworks.com. You can design a custom swingset for your kids! How cool is that. And you can see your design in 3-D. The "quote" they sent me for my first design was ridiculously expensive ... I guess I could live without the skybridge or sandbox (sigh) but it's still bookmarked on my computer for "someday"...
Haha, adding to cart and then closing the window is one of the things I do that make me the most proud of myself, hilarious! Why do we do that?!?
Just purchased that pearl necklace mirror--i love home furnishings with personality or a little quirkiness!
love that bunkbed, hate the price. anyone know something similar for (wayyyyy) cheaper?
thx for the link to areaware, super cool stuff!
Wow. That room is so spacious and minimalist - I love it! And that chair you're looking at is lovely ... seems like it's right out of a museum.
Glad to know I am not the only one who suffers from shopping-related panic attacks. My husband thinks I'm nuts sometimes ... particularly when I feel the need to rush to the store at 8:30 pm just before it closes "because they might sell out of ___ and I want to be sure and get the last one." Irrational? Yes. Just how my mind works? Absolutely.
Have to say I never was much of a window shopper but you do what you gotta do in this recession, depression, whatever. I've started making a "vision board" with tear sheets from magazines of things that I find beautiful and that inspire me and I cannot agree more, there is a joy at looking at pretty things, whether or not they are something you can own.
May I borrow your typewriter idea? Gotta get on ebay and buy one tonight.
I have tried to find a reason for that chair at Wisteria for countless catalog cycles. Still haven't been able to add it to my cart!
On a recent HDTV show (I forgot which one), there was a couple from the Bay Area featured with a set of those dining chairs. The designers planned the 'new' room completely around those chairs, and custom made a dining table to match. I just figured those came from India when I saw the show. Thanks for sharing the sites.
ps. The waiting out process sounds exactly like mine! When I buy a new dress/sari/whatever, I hang it on the bedroom door and stare at for a couple of days ;-)