For me it's a kind of "I came, I saw, I conquered" mentality. It doesn't even matter to me if know one else sees it or cares. That's just my personality - I'm like that in other areas of my life as well.

Yep, I still can't believe my friend who wouldn't purchase the perfect house because the paint color in the dining room was unacceptable, huh?!?!? A few hours and $60 and she could have had the perfect house!

I got my perfect house with dated wallpaper and ALL rooms with unacceptable paint colors, and ZERO landscaping in the backyard, LOL. Yeah, it's taking a while to get it right, but I love that! I get a new view every once in a while. That's what drives me, well, that and what I can spend ;-)

I think some people just aren't DIY-ers and don't enjoy screwing with it. Some just can't understand changing something out just because it's dated or doesn't coordinate "if it ain't broke why spend $$ fixing it?"

I don't know what drives be, but whatever it is, I sort of wish I could just "make it stop." (Truth be told, my DH does, too!)

This is what I was thinking about recently . . .I used to be a musician. I had pretty good relative pitch, but I knew people with perfect pitch and envied them. However, they would tell me it was sort of a curse, because if things were even slightly out of tune, they could NOT enjoy what they heard.

I don't have the perfect pitch equivalence in decorating, but I DO have strong reactions. I think my reactions are what drive me. I get physically uncomfortable in rooms that I think have harsh lighting or colors, or (this is going to sound weird) when I see things that I think are ugly when I search on CL. This has been the case since I was at least 10. Maybe before, but I remember it since that age. I wish I could NOT be like this, but I am always so relieved when something bothering me has been corrected.

Some people (not us who visit here) live perfectly comfortable lives never driven to even paint. Their curtains are fine, they love the prints they've had high over their sofa since they got married. These people live in harmony with their surroundings.

I don't think they live in harmony with their surroundings, they live in ignorance - as in ignoring or being unaware - of their surroundings.

For us, decorating the hosue isn't the end, it's an on-going hobby. I just watched my ex-husband decorate a spare bedroom quickly - and pretty well, I might add - from the Room Store. And now that it is done, it will stay done. But his computer and his audio and video systems will never be quite perfect. Just like some men's cars are never quite done - there's always another do-dad to add.

Good question, never-ending, and a great description of one of those driven days. I wonder this all the time and, like Anele, sometimes wish I could make it stop. I'm a teacher, and I know I do this more in the summer as a refuge from 'words.' I like the 'doing.' I do have strong reactions when something is off, like Anele, but I never know quite how to fix it. It's like I know good music when I hear it and may know the notes on the piano myself but don't feel the music when I play. I get on here to try to learn how to play the music I love to hear. (And I tell my husband that knowing that Zuzu's living room is painted Flowering Herbs and Newhomebuilders is Decatur Buff and 3dogmom's is Philadelphia Cream and Crimson is the equivalent of asking him who won the World Series in 1964 and knowing he'll have the answer.)

Anyway, I move things and dream about moving things and dream about painting and then paint and it's still not quite right because it looks a different color at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and there goes the summer!

Neverending writes: Some people (not us who visit here) live perfectly comfortable lives never driven to even paint. Their curtains are fine, they love the prints they've had high over their sofa since they got married. These people live in harmony with their surroundings. Yes, neverending, we live in harmony with ourselves, each other, and our homes. And we are not ever bored.

Graywings responds: I don't think they live in harmony with their surroundings, they live in ignorance - as in ignoring or being unaware - of their surroundings.

You couldn't be more wrong, graywings. Or maybe you're joking? Hub and I love our home the way it is and have no need to constantly tweak and change it. It is comfortable and comforting to be here. We are not appetitive, we are appreciative of what we have. I see the beauty of my home and gardens, not what needs adjusting.

And that frees my mind to do other things that I consider enriching. Reading, studying a new language, sewing clothing for my children and grandchildren, cooking, enjoying the calmness of a lovely day or a long conversation with my husband.

I've looked in on this forum many times, and I must tell you that I find amazing the things that people are so concerned about here. Indygo-girl cites a good example of what puzzles me: Anyway, I move things and dream about moving things and dream about painting and then paint and it's still not quite right because it looks a different color at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and there goes the summer!

I guess it takes all kinds.

My motivation comes from a combination of money and need. The need is there more often than the money :) We've always bought fixer uppers and improved them over the years we've owned them. But that didn't leave money left over to furnish them properly. Now my furnishings, second-hand to begin with, are in dire need of replacing, and we have some money saved up to do some decorating.

A tangent thought here: in an economics blog I like to read, I was struck by the number of men in the comments section who complained about their wives spending money on decorating. They said the wives claim to be doing it to make home life more pleasant for the family, but nobody else in the family gave a hoot. The men resented the money spent.

I can see that point of view, in a way. My husband doesn't care that the family room looks like a college frat house, and my three young adult sons actually prefer it that way. To them, it's relaxing. Often I can't justify buying things purely for aesthetic reasons when nobody else appreciates them, especially if there are more important things to spend money on.

The voices in my head that keep saying 'Why don't you try this and see how it looks?'.

rofl, ttodd! Isn't there a medical term for voices in one's head? ;)

So funny, Anele: "I don't know what drives be, but whatever it is, I sort of wish I could just "make it stop." (Truth be told, my DH does, too!)"

Awm03, I can hear what you are saying. Those women should remind their husbands that a house is a big investment. For me, it is my biggest investment. We will all sell our houses someday. I feel the need to do my best to maintain & enhance my property until that day comes.

I also think I need challenges, & truly caring for a home is challenging on many levels!

Others just turn the key in the door at the end of the day & feel satisfied to have a roof over their heads & I guess that perspective is a blessing. Sometimes I envy people like that. To thoughtfully care for your home & yard can truly become a full-time job. Some people just don't want to sign up for that.

Shermann, it's a hobby like any other. Like sewing - why sew more clothes when you already have clothes. Or learn a new language when you already speak one. That is the same reason we change our homes around. I doubt that anyone here is so obsessed with decorating that their whole lives revolve around it, or that they are in crisis if their living room color doesn't suit them. I have many bigger issues in life, believe me, but I like to come on here and talk decorating, because it's fun. It's a creative outlet to change decor. Everyone has something that brings them pleasure, and for those who frequent this board, it's decorating. I'm a decor junky. I have tried to quit this habit, but I just can't. I need a Decorating Anonymous :O)

Here's a quiz to see how hooked you are...

Here is a link that might be useful: How Hooked Are You?

Hi stinky-g. "Those women should remind their husbands that a house is a big investment. For me, it is my biggest investment. We will all sell our houses someday. I feel the need to do my best to maintain & enhance my property until that day comes."

You're right to a point. As with all investments, there are times when it's good to put money into a house and times when it's not. We've always improved our homes with investment in mind. We've gotten great enjoyment from the results and were fortunate to either have made money on the resale or at least covered our expenses. Another benefit was that the homes sold quickly. Still, decorating isn't cheap, so I don't often indulge unless I can do it inexpensively or unless we absolutely need to. I like to hang out in this forum because it's fun to see what others are doing -- it's vicarious decorating :)

Creativity, curiousity ..... art, science and a touch of magic -- alchemy. And the fact that my favorite part of ANY magazine is Before-and-After photos! :)

And I've seen and felt the difference in how we live in a room thats been re-done to suit our needs at the time ..... just think what a coat of paint can do! Think of the changes when you organize a room, closet or even a drawer that has been driving you crazy! How about when you add the right light/lamp so that you can read in a favorite chair or work in a kitchen or garage?

A chance to "play with my doll house" -- except its now in real life. Due to interesting economic times here -- most activities have slowed or stopped -- and I feel like I'm truly missing something ....

Jan

Valzone, that's a great link. It has lots of interesting features.

Teacats, your post is filled with just the sort of romantic, poetic, lovely thoughts I've come to expect from you!

Awm03...glad to hear your TLC has paid off!

SG -- Thanks!!! At least when I talk about decorating here at GW -- people don't look at me like I have two heads!!! LOL!

I truly believe in working on a house -- and turning it into a home! I can always "feel" when a house is a true "home" -- no matter what the age or decor style.

Jan

This has actually been an on-going discussion between me and the hubby. He wants things to be functional and will just slops something up to get the job done. I want it to be functional and pretty. Why shouldn't the closet be something you enjoy walking into everday? It's where you set the tone for they day. Sure it holds the clothes, but it could do it a way the shows off what you have to make you feel like you're pampering yourself with your own things. Does that make sense? Or at least make it bearable to look at the laundry room while you're stuck there doing something less than relaxing. Why not? What drives me? A need to reuse, reorganize, or recycle an item so that it becomes an enviable thing rather than cast off or unseen for the potential beauty it has. It's a creative outlet. Same as photography, cooking, or gardening. At least for me. Now if I just had some money. But the new bedding will be there tonight and I am looking forward to that!

Because decorating is FUN! That's what drives me. It is the same as loving bike riding, or reading or sewing or gardening or creating a good meal, all of which are fun for me. Otherwise, I wouldn't do it. Our home is our private space; I love being there. It gives me great comfort, especially with my family there too.
Diane

"Hub and I love our home the way it is and have no need to constantly tweak and change it. I've looked in on this forum many times, and I must tell you that I find amazing the things that people are so concerned about here."

I'm confused. If you're so satisfied with your home, why look in on this forum many times? I would think you'd be so busy doing all that you love that you wouldn't have time to look in on a forum of little use to you. I bet you really want some changes and are afraid to ask. C'mon, post some pics of your rooms. We'll gently help you make some updates. : )

As for the rest of the posters' comments - I hear ya! While I'm not forever changing things in the same room, I do usually have a project or two going on in at least one room all the time. And I love it! It's one of my creative outlets, just as gardening and decorative/landscape painting are, too. I've been sewing and loving it since I was 4, 51 years total. Decorating allows me to use that skill to create my own unique spaces, not to mention save oodles of $$$. And I'll admit I do enjoy hearing the compliments I receive from family and friends. : )

Then there's the added benefit of knowing my home is well kept and retaining it's value, even in these tough economic times. For most of us our homes are our biggest investments so it makes no sense to DH and I to not maintain ours. Keeping our home nicely decorated has always helped us sell quickly, as well.

So to my fellow decor divas, I say keep on decorating! And to the nay-sayers, just tell them you're stimulating the economy. : )

I don't think they live in harmony with their surroundings, they live in ignorance - as in ignoring or being unaware - of their surroundings.

Shermann, that one got me too, lol.

I enjoy the people on this forum more than I do the whole "decorating" thing. I've contentedly lived with the same window coverings for years. Dining room has been changed once in 28 years. Living room shutters are the same, but now they sport a coat of white paint. Bedroom woven woods, yup 28 years. Curtains came and went. Been living in the new addition for 18 months and although I "think" about treatments for the new windows I've yet to do anything about it. I'm more driven when it comes to my outdoor environment. I like things nice indoors, but it's not the end all it seems for some. Different strokes.

"I don't think they live in harmony with their surroundings, they live in ignorance - as in ignoring or being unaware - of their surroundings."

My mother was like that. Granted, we didn't have much money for decorating, but she also was not the least bit interested. Sewing bored her, and she's never painted anything in her life. Plus we come from a long line of people who just scraped by, so there were no lovely family heirlooms to decorate around. The house was clean & serviceable, and a better home than what she'd grown up in, so she was satisfied.

But she has fabulous taste in clothing, and at 81 years, she's still the best dressed person in a crowd. Funny her sophisticated design sense in clothing never transferred to decorating the house. I have little interest in clothes, and as a child, loved looking at houses and their interiors. I can't remember my neighbors from childhood much, but I can remember many, many details of their homes.

I think there is another side to Grays quote. It involves money. As in the amount of money spent to achieve a look is the motivating factor to not change it.

My Grandparents had a very, very well decorated home, and everything was of the utmost quality and well maintained. But it didn't change in 40 years, primarily because they couldn't see spending money to change things that were perfectly fine.

Now me, I don't mind for cost. Mostly because I don't pay a lot for what I've got in the first place, and secondly, because I DIY a lot. So I change frequently.

As to what motivates me, I think it's my life. As my life changes, I want my surroundings to change to reflect me. Most of my changes are done to make my life easier...the curtains I loved for my bedroom are gorgeous, but they're too sheer and don't block enough light from the summer heat. So I have to change them. But the rod isnt' right, so it's gotta change. Then I don't like the bedding with the new drapes, on and on and on.

Adding to what I wrote before . . .one thing I am working hard on is not getting stuck on perfect, if that makes sense. I definitely don't have the time OR money to even hope for that! Magnaverde (does he ever visit here anymore?) said something about not agonizing over an exact shade of color. I tend to agree with this, because as a indygo pointed out, it changes with the light anyway! And this is not just with color, but with everything. My goal is that the OVERALL (how do I do italics?) look reflects me, as pesky said.

I'm confused. If you're so satisfied with your home, why look in on this forum many times? I would think you'd be so busy doing all that you love that you wouldn't have time to look in on a forum of little use to you. I bet you really want some changes and are afraid to ask.

Angelcub, why be...snotty? I didn't say my home was static, I said I love it the way it is. That doesn't mean it isn't well-kept and modern; I just don't labor over what particular shade of BM paint to use, the way many posters here do, and I don't do change for change's sake. Waste not, want not. As I said, I am not appetitive; rather, I appreciate what I have.

If you're so satisfied with your home, why look in on this forum many times? Maybe I come here to be amused.

I really do not wonder,I know. I need my projects like fish needs water. I had a little pause on not having any decorating/designing projects going on for a while and it really sucked the energy out of my existence, I just need the challenge for my brain LOL

I started back with little projects, covering a chair, making some pillows and it made me realize what a huge piece was missing from my life. I need this creative outlet and I need to create beauty, this is just part of me, what makes me happy. Also, none of it has to be expensive. Currently I am working on my own tile for backspalshes. Once those are done, I have other projects that were done but can use some additional improvement, that will be time consuming but will take just little paint to accomplish.
I hope I am not coming off as completely loony LOL

To me it has never been clear that people in this forum are motivated by or motivated to Do the same things. Some of us want to do things right once, and be done with it for a long time. Others of us are interested in constant change. I happen to be in the camp that takes years to get something done, and then it Stays that way. The extremes in both cases often lead to the same situation: living in undone projects.

What people even consider "new" is not well defined. To some a relatively new kitchen is one they did ten years ago. To others, that has been 'old and outdated' twice over. (Although not many people live through too many kitchen renovations, intentionally).

There really isn't a wrong answer to this question...the comment of people who don't live in harmony with their surroundings is valid, as is the objection to it. I have had a couple of clients who did not live in harmony with their surroundings and couldnt stand to be at home. They *thought they didn't care what their house looked like as long as it (barely) functioned, but at the core of it, they did. I have a client who hasnt been on a vacation since she moved to a new place and it was designed *for her* instead of living in a dumping ground for her family rejects that she changed her clothes and slept in. She used to travel constantly, I think, to escape her house.

I am starting work with a client who is almost 50 and since I have known him (well over a decade) he has never lived in any way that is different than a college student, and yet more furniture and window treatments and junk has passed through that house than I can count. He obviously doesnt like the way that it IS, but he doesnt know himself how to make it better. The hurdle he is having trouble with is spending money on something thats going to last. His mantra has seemed to be "buy cheap and buy often".

On the other hand, I know people who are *completely oblivious to their surroundings and it doesn't seem to affect their sense of well-being one bit. But they may still have fun reading this forum. I haven't owned a car since 1992, and I only owned that one for two years. I rarely drive, and I don't particularly like driving in many environments, but I *love cars, I love looking at them and knowing about them. So there is a place for people here who are not obsessed.

I get muddled when I don't have a creative outlet. When I am creating something my mind wanders freely into the best thinking time. It adds clarity to the rest of my life.

My husband wants to live in a nice home. He thinks that the effort I put into things is a way of showing my love for him. I never spend beyond our means so cost has never been a factor.

It is a little ironic that I love it so much yet I am avoiding a project. :O/ I have a couple gallons of yellow and a gallon of blue just waiting for me... Paint is great, prep work is not!!

I don't know what drives be, but whatever it is, I sort of wish I could just "make it stop."

Me too! It's a love/hate relationship. I wish I could get back all the money and time and energy I've spent on decorating mistakes. Sometimes I think it's because I can't visualize what it will look like, so I do it, then I don't like it. Other times I think it's because I can visualize too many ways it could look and I can't choose just one.

It took me 30 years to get my last house just where I wanted it... and then I moved and had to start over. I'm making progress faster this time. Gee, just think how good I'll be if I live to be 150! I suppose we won't be allowed to decorate the rest home... sigh.

Whatever it is, "driven" is a good word for me when it comes to decorating. I remember being really unhappy when I lived in someone else's space and couldn't decorate. I couldn't wait to have my own nest to feather.

When I'm in the doctor's waiting room, I'm happy waiting as long as they have decorating magazines. No decorating magazines? Bad doctor!

"My husband wants to live in a nice home. He thinks that the effort I put into things is a way of showing my love for him"

What a beautiful attitude your DH has, paintchips. What a happy thing to read.

I've discussed this before with a couple of my fellow decorating-obsessed friends, and I think what rings most true to me in terms of what drives us is that we're all creative people who are visually-stimulated ... by "stimulated," I guess I mean that we draw our energy from the visual qualities of our surroundings. Not only does this drive us to want to make our homes "beautiful" in our eyes, but it also drives us to change things up more often than other people -- our eyes and brains are simply bored by looking at the same stuff for too long -- we need to make changes to re-energize us from time to time. I don't necessarily think that others are "ignorant" about decorating, it's just that they don't necessarily draw energy from the visual aspects of their world to the same degree we do, and therefore it's not as much of a priority for them, or something they're happy to throw themselves into (although I think there are some folks who are visually-oriented, but maybe don't know how to address their environments -- hence the need for decorators!). It's always reminded me of the Myers-Briggs personality tests, if you're familiar with them ... the difference between an introvert and an extrovert (as it's been explained to me) is where you get your energy -- introverts get it more via "alone time" and from within, whereas extroverts are more stimulated and energized when surrounded by other people (I'm an "I," for the record).

Anyhow, that's my story and I'm sticking to it :-)

"Angelcub, why be...snotty?"

Shermann, I wasn't being snotty at all. : ) Go back and read my post with a more open mind. I simply stated that I was confused by your satisfaction with your surroundings yet you came to this decorating forum many times. I simply was surprised you would come here at all since you gave the impression you had better things to do with your time and didn't state anything positive about the forum or the posters here.

"Maybe I come here to be amused."

Ah, well, guess you're not as busy and satisfied as I took your post to imply. : )

This is why I love this forum, there is always such good insight!

Graywing's point about people and their hobbies is so true. If you aren't inspired by the "subject/hobby" you are ignorant(clueless) of what drives others.

Shermann is also right, she cares but isn't driven to distraction as some of us are (lucky you!) But I wonder if that is a "right of passage" you've made your home,raised your children and are free to enjoy life.

My children are still home and my house is still evolving,(came directly out of a 1970's time warp and needed a ton of deferred maintenance, built in 1850, is the DH's family home...sorry-that's a whole 'nother story!) While I am in "harmony" with some area's of my home I look forward to the days when cleaning the house is enough!

Like Indygo (Elementary Librarian) summer is my time for doing. :) And yes, so many paint names and people to draw from thanks to this forum! Is this forum feeding our sickness? Yes and no.

Before GW I was isolated and alone :-( Still doing all this craziness but without the resources to feed my "sickness". At least now I can draw on paint names and pictures and have people who understand me, right Anele? Some days I want to shriek- "Make it stop or at least have it show up on Craigslist!"

Awm03 has a very solid point. It can be expensive,and with messmakers at home often I wonder why I bother, but I know that as chief housekeeper I do enjoy toiling in a well-appointed home. And I don't mean a person has to have an unlimited budget only an unlimited vision.

Pesky LOL it all starts with just one tweak, or just one picture! But it sure is fun!

UPDATE!!! Just a side note, the curtains I was going to purchase to replace the ones I stole from my dining room are sold out, so I have a new quest- yahoo! I vow before you all, it will be curtains only, nothing else!

Took the "Hooked" quiz and I'm even more hooked than I thot! LOL

HOWEVER, I've been around long enough to know there is very little perfection in anything. Every time I walk into anyone's home (or mine), or look at a picture, I always think about how I might change it - no matter how beautifully decorated the room is. I also think about how the house plan could be reconfigured to be more to my liking. I think it's something some of us are born with.

I'm sure there are many reasons why some people can never "finish" decorating their homes. I've always believed that I'd never be finished decorating my home as I like to change things frequently. However I now have paint colors on the walls of several rooms that I like so much I dread having to repaint. I've never willingly repainted a room with the same color but I'm not sure I can find colors I like as well. It's a real problem which I am ignoring for now.

I often rearrange rooms and change accessories but don't feel compelled to change everything. Probably because I am old enough to not want to exert the effort for questionable improvement.

I have wondered if some people would spend less on their decor if they didn't belong to forums. They are great places at which to be "enabled" if one is looking for that validation.