I Buy to Buy - How to Figure Out How to Fit It All In

16 years ago

I buy decor that I like it(and usually it's my style and can be put or hung somewhere), but end up with too much stuff. I get overwhelmed. I have stacks of pictures and wall art that needs to be hung but I get stumped on where to hang it and fit it in with what's already there and end up shuffling and reorganizing my collection of stuff. I always use the excuse that I want to paint the walls new colors and move the furniture around so that what I might hang up probably will not end up being where it's hung anyway. This is an organization problem, buying problem and also fits into the "what's my style" and what goes with what problem. Does anyone else have this trouble and any thoughts (besides not buying more - which I am doing) on how to see how things fit in and hang it all up so that I don't have to store it all.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

liz1977
16 years ago
I had to smile when I read this...I am having the same problem!!! Right before I read this post, I just finished painting one frame, downsized a print (removed it from it's original frame and removed the trim piece), and hung it without the glass. I was really happy when I first stepped back; now just a few minutes later, not so sure...I have tons of pics, artwork, frames & mirrors sitting on my bedroom floor and don't know what to do with it all!
I went thru a major meltdown the other day and just removed everything from both LR & DR walls. I have decided the only thing I like is the new mirror I bought at Kirkland's last week. That's right, I bought another piece! So no solutions here, but I'm right there with you, Winker!
Will be looking forward to some expert help on here right along with you.
oceanna
16 years ago
I think decorating is a tricky thing for everyone. When we see these TV shows that make it look so easy, the truth is they have much bigger budgets and teams of folks inputting, and they try out things that don't work too.

An item that can look perfect in one place can look awful in another. And sometimes all we need to do is add something to tie everything in, or make something look just right. Decorating is ultimately an art, not a science, so even if we come up with hard and fast rules, they're not really hard and fast. I think we all muddle through and have made bad purchases and good ones.

Getting our own homes to where we really love them is a process that can take years. So please be patient with yourselves and try to enjoy the process. Sometimes in the middle of something we can suddenly doubt ourselves, too, and in the end it works out very well.
Related Discussions
I may have figured out how to win the deer battle
Q
Comments (29)
We have GIANT MUTANT DEER..they eat my daffodils, even my iris when they come up in the spring. The deer ring our doorbell and run away, laughing. They ate 15 roses down to stumps and then TP'd our yard. In short, they are mean. I tried planting garlic around some roses. They just left that alone and proceeded to defoliate the bushes. So now I take one egg, some milk, chopped garlic and mix in a watering can and pour it over my bushes and fruit trees. I have been doing this religiously for the past few weeks and so far it is working....
...See More
I can't figure out how to use Gag combi steam oven.
Q
Comments (17)
Oh yes, I absolutely love my Gagg steam oven! After enjoying it for almost two years, I know I'd replace it in a heartbeat if I had to, despite the outrageous price. I've learned to steam many of the things I used to boil---potatoes or shrimps, for example. It's much faster than waiting for a pot of water to boil, and if you're in a severe drought situation, as we were last summer, it saves water. For steaming small quantities, I use an inexpensive Chinese bamboo steamer, placing it on the wire rack; a 10"-diameter one works fine, and you can stack two if necessary. Usually, they come in three-piece sets (two round baskets plus a cover), but since you don't need the cover in the steam oven, try to find a place that sells them singly (sorry, I can't remember where I got mine). But stick with the steam oven, and don't be afraid to experiment a bit after you feel more comfortable with the knobs and buttons. I think you'll come to love it as much as most owners do. ---Margaret
...See More
Should I 'step' up and parent when he still figuring out how to?
Q
Comments (15)
The boy has been living with his grandmother for half his life, and all his 'memory life'. That is his home, his mother, his life, his stability, his comfort. Dad bought a house 8 months ago and there's not enough room for his son. But there's enough room for you? The fact is, and you need to look at it in the eye--he doesn't want to take care of his son. It says a lot about him. I'll let you think about what it means. So then there's you, and you pressure your boyfriend to do what he ought--step up to the parenting plate. Your boyfriend has made it very clear he doesn't want to, so he pushes the burden back onto you and pressures you to step up to the parenting plate. The truth is neither of you want to do the job (and I don't blame you if you don't want the job, it's a big responsibility and a lot of trouble--particularly when your partner isn't going to do his part). However, both of you are quick to criticize grandma and how she raises him. How many children have you raised? How many ADD children have you raised? A supreme court justice once said, "I used to have 9 theories about how to raise children; and no children. Now I have 9 children and no theories." You've invested very little into this relationship. Only a year, you are independent, you have your own house, you aren't hungering for a wedding and a family. Already you are pressuring him, he's pressuring you, things seem to be falling apart, you have the inkling that the engagement was 'premature'. Stop and think. And be honest. Nobody but grandma has stepped up to raise this child, not his mother, father or you. And you should not; because if things do fall apart and this child gets to depend on you and you leave, you will have done a terrible thing. His grandmother is doing fine, no matter what you think. She's his home, his center, his world, all he knows best. Don't meddle because you think things 'should' be different. If you really think things should be different, you need to find a different situation that fits your definition of should. That's the only way you will be happy. You cannot force a square peg into a round hole. If your boyfriend does not feel paternal, he does not feel paternal. Deal with the reality. It is what it is. You cannot pressure him into feeling what he doesn't feel. Any more than he can pressure you into feeling something you don't feel. And why is he pressuring you so marry so quickly, to move in, elope, whatever. Is it to get you off his back about his parenting? Or is there more. I say do nothing until you think this through more. He's not 24, he's 30. And he's immature. And he's not good parent material. And he's coming with baggage. A little boy with problems that are only going to get larger as he understands his situation better (where's mom? why don't I live with dad? is grandma going to die?). No you are not being selfish, you are being wise.
...See More
I need some help figuring out how to lay out this kitchen
Q
Comments (66)
If you use lisa_a's with 2 entrances to the pantry it may just vent itself easily as I'd imagine the pocket entry door to it from the garage may stay open or ajar frequently. You could possibly fit it in the bump back to match the entrance stairs. Fridges in garages are pretty common around here but we have more issues with freezing temps than overly hot. Otherwise I'd put it in that spot in the garage where the writing says small appliances for inside the kitchen. That's not far of a walk at all.
...See More
no_green_thumb
16 years ago
I think Oceanna hit it when she said to be patient. One of the things I have learned here in the last year or so is that I am not at decorator challenged as I thought I was. What I have a problem with is thinking everything I do is wrong. So what I now try to do is when I make a change, I live with it for a bit. Even little things make a room look different and at least for me, it takes a while for my eyes to adjust. I am sure many know immediately what is going to work and what is not --- I am just a little slower and have learned I need to live with that.
skypathway
16 years ago
Oceanna, I think many of those shows actually have very tight budgets - the real key is that the designers aren't personally invested in the space so it's a lot easier to buy something to stick on the wall - they don't have to live with it day in and day out like a homeowner would. Also some really junky stuff can look sumptuous on camera but tacky IRL. Although I do agree with you, Oceanna that some shows where the homeowner is paying for everything, some do have large budgets for art.

Winker, you're in a tough spot. I would pull everything out and move things around to the rooms that you think they will work - keep moving things around until you have found some a "home". Consider storing the rest for a year or two and if you never use them, sell them. If you are brave, you can sell them right away to get that load off your shoulders. Tough love, sorry. If you have stuff you haven't used for two years - get rid of it now because it's likely you'll never use it. I know it's really hard sometimes to give this stuff up.

I find TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Kirklands etc. are very dangerous stores so I usually avoid them like the plague or I'd find myself in the same trap you are in.
anele_gw
16 years ago
I'd get bored if I had to look at the same artwork in the same place for forever.

I read somewhere that Americans like to put "everything" up while Japanese style (traditional) is to have just a few things up and rotate. I fall somewhere in between --I'm guessing most of us do.

Tell yourself that nothing has to be permanent-- and just go for it!
amysrq
16 years ago
I have two rules I try to follow.

1) I don't buy anything unless I absolutely love love love it.

2) If it's expensive, I walk away and see if I obsess about it. If I do, I go back. If not, then I know it was momentary.
mustangs81
16 years ago
What Winker said...you nailed it for me. See my question "Is Less More?" thread. I have closets full of decorating c*&p like the candle sticks.

Amy, Like you, I really have been trying to filter every purchase and have cut down considerably.
deborahnj
16 years ago
I've gone through three stages in my decorating life.

1. Buy everything
2. Buy nothing
3. Buy only what I love

I'm now at stage three and hope to stay there! LOL If I'm in the store and doubt nags at me, I usually don't buy. I've learned if I really love something, I know it right away. There are times when I really like something but I do question myself and then won't buy. The piece then will "haunt" me and usually I will go back to the store, buy, with the intent that if it doesn't work, I will bring it back. Usually the piece does work out. I've saved a lot of money and angst this way.

I Buy to Buy - How to Figure Out How to Fit It All In

Comments (8)

liz1977

oceanna

Related Discussions

no_green_thumb

skypathway

anele_gw

amysrq

mustangs81

deborahnj

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US