How many times have you settled for something when what you really wanted was attainable if only you'd been patient? I have done this more times than I'd like to admit. When I wanted bookcases to flank my great room fireplace I settled on a set of inexpensive ones rather than waiting until I could afford exactly what I had in mind. As a result, I wasted money, something that makes me quiver at the thought. I've done the same thing with art and accessories in the past, settling for mass produced, low quality pieces instead of saving my pennies for what I really wanted. But I've changed my ways, from now on I'll make do and reap the benefits of delayed gratification.
The "I- settled-for-them" bookcases are gone and we brought in our bedroom armoire for the time being.
Currently I have almost no accessories in the room and my room is looking pretty bare. I've seen plenty of things I'd love to fill the voids-new lamps, fabulous original paintings.... I daydream about having our fireplace mantle updated so that it's larger in scale. I'd reeeeaaallly like...well, it doesn't matter, for now I'm saving and making do.
What's your style, make do until you have saved up enough to get what you really want or get an adequate alternative?
Nope I don't make do. I wait until I get exactly what I want, am a bit of a perfectionist so if I am not totally thrilled with the second best...I will make myself CRAZY and its not worth it...so I just wait till I can get what I really love then I am really happy and then everyone is really happy. Case closed.
ReplyDeleteI tend to make do... I like the anricipation of waiting for the perfect thing. I too have purchased art just to have something on the wall but end up resenting the piece that I only felt so-so about. I hate thinking about what I could have done with the money I wasted on something I only kind of liked. Wow, does that make sense?
ReplyDelete-ME
With the exception of a pile of books and magazines on the coffee table, my living room has just about this same amount of accessories. :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely make do until I can find the perfect thing (within budget of course). I used to have a really bad habit of buying accessory type stuff that I thought would work but wasn't completely sure. But my dear husband cured me of that. Basically just put me on a guilt trip every time I had to return something. His method worked.
So whenever I get to my wits end with how unperfect and unfinished our livingroom is... I just clean it really good and reorganize the few accessories I do have (and like). I end up liking the room again simply because I know it's so clean! :) Crazy.
Oh Karen I am a waiter and a planner. I will make do if it is reasonable but if not I wait. I have waited for over 30years for some of the things planned for this little house. Yes, I would say I am very patient. I really stick to my guns and I really know what I love. My problem usually is the funds. I have a champagne taste on a beer income, as they say!! I just bought a basket to make due and I have talked to myself about biting the bullet and getting the one I really love. I just might go ahead and do that!!! I kind of like the fireplace without the bookcases. How about two floor mirrors with demuline tables and lamps in front of them?!!! Just a thought, xo Kathysue
ReplyDeleteYou are smart to wait. Once you buy something, you don't tend to replace because you've already spent the money, even though it was supposed to be a place holder for the just the right thing. I love your coffee table, turned out great!
ReplyDeleteI am making do with a 1970s toilet until I can afford a new one. Think Autumn Harvest Gold!
ReplyDeleteAlthough this is not furniture, I replaced a Dyson vacuum with the Electrolux Nimble thinking I was saving $100.00. I really wanted a Dyson Slim or the Dyson ball.
ReplyDeleteI later found out it is only recommended for homes with carpet. I have ONLY hardwood & area rugs.
BUMMER.
I tend to make-do and complain about it :)
ReplyDeleteI hate having to make do, but I'm so impatient sometimes!! Maybe those shelves will work great somewhere else, or be the perfect thing for another person's house. I'm currently holding out for exactly what I want in our family room around the fireplace. That's why you haven't seen any pics of that area on my blog! It's pretty bad!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great weekend!
Kelle
xx
I make do almost all the time. I feel like it's so are that I actually buy something that I've had my eye on for weeks/months. I blame impatience and the fact that I want far more than I could ever afford!
ReplyDeleteI try to save for what I really want but that means I don't have as much art as I would like. My prints are real antiques, even though you can buy such good fakes. I'd love a modern painting for my dining room...some day.
ReplyDeleteAlso, like Kelle says....I haven't shown my master bedroom on my blog as I am waiting for nice linen drapes.
Well in the last year I would say I go to the thrift store and find something to reinvent. Before that I was a bit of a mix of both making do and waiting.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty bad about "making do" as well. It is a great idea to clear the room of all those products to make room for what you really want. Problem is, half my apartment would be completely empty :) Oh well, I am working on it!
ReplyDeleteI am such an impulse buyer, especially when there is a deal to be had. It's terrible - I waste money on little things instead of saving pennies for reupholstery and the big ticket items that would really make an impact on the room!
ReplyDeleteStill loving your gold coffee table!!!
I've had to make do so much in the past but as I'm getting older and some pieces are being replaced, I'm waiting it out (like the 16 weeks I'm waiting to get the English roll-arm sofa I've always wanted instead of settling for something that is available today). It's funny - we just visited a lovely furniture store yesterday and as we walked out, we both commented on how "grown-up" everything in there was. At what point do you feel like you should be buying "grown-up" furniture? Now that we've hit 40, shouldn't we feel as though we're at that stage? Mentally I'm often still in the IKEA stage. :)
ReplyDeleteI like your blog and I too am into delayed gratification and waiting until I can afford what I really want so it's perfect!
ReplyDeleteOh, I've done this more than I'd like to admit although sometimes it is necessary. Otherwise, I'd be living in a house with a bunch of empty rooms! But if there is absolutely something I have to have, then I have no problem delaying gratification until I can save up for it.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you sista. :) For the record I think your living room is absolutely fabulous. Okay a little something something on the coffee table WOULD be nice. hehe but I so get what you are saying. I started my living room last July. True, other projects have gotten in the way but I have a direction at least and half the fun is the hunt, the dream, and the travel down that design road.
ReplyDeleteHope your weekend has been a good one.
Pam
I have already committed to doing the same when we move into our new house this summer--taking it slow and doing it right the first time.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see how your room evolves.
Before kids, I saved up and bought the expensive things I wanted. Funny thing is, your taste changes over the years and things don't stay in style. Then, you hate to get rid of the furniture you paid so much for. Lately, Craigslist has been my best friend and we have purchased a lot. That way, if I get tired of the furniture, I can just sell it, get something else and be out very little money, if any. I have a family room similar to yours and would love to have built in bookcases on either side of the fireplace, but then the fireplace will be set too far back for me. I'm going to send you a photo of a house in our neighborhood that added bookcases on your facebook page.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I totally agree. It's a good lesson. I need to learn to make do a little more and spend on little or justnot the right things a little less.
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