I can't seem to make any progress with decorating.......anyone else?

7 years ago

First world issues, I know.........

But, I think I've lost my vision. I seem to be spinning around in circles, making no progress. I can't seem to find inspiration for this place & feel like I'm going to be living in a half finished home forever.

Ive taken a break from it for awhile after building this. It's just so unconventional-- converted barn. I don't know how to decorate it!! I'm scared to commit to something & make expensive mistake. I've been out around stores, scouring hours/Pinterest & antique shops & I can't find the thing that sparks me or its way too expensive.

So frustrating. Having a big party in October & feeling pressure.

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aprilneverends

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

peppapoogle, i can share only my experience(s) which is:

when i feel okay or, more than that, pretty happy- i'm inspired and i decorate and i might be frustrated with something or don't know how to tackle it or don't have money etc, but i generally love it

when i'm down and tired and things are not too swell-well, on these days (or weeks or months)-i don't:)

it seems to me-maybe you're just really tired. tired after building this house. maybe all you need is to take a (mental)break..it's not like it's your job to get things done by a certain date, or otherwise no bread on the table.

it's hard to get creative and inspired when you're tired and scared. at least that's how i see it.

my advice: try to relax a bit. your house sounds very interesting just by description. I bet guests will be happy just to be there even if it's empty; i'm a bit like you, want the house ready for guests and all, but that's how i know: yes guests usually love my house- but they love the party itself and laugh and talk and just seeing each other much more. I've been to many houses, some beautiful some drab..the parties can be boring everywhere and amazing everywhere too.

I know you know all that; but still.

when you feel like you're ready for it, start seeing some fun in it again-forget for a moment that it's a converted barn, and look at art; or things that you find beautiful like fabrics like Annie suggested. Or nature, or your favorite clothes and jewelry..Or market or downtown square. Literally anything that you might find interesting. Take your clues from it. Colors, mood, quiet and serene or driving attention and bold...

You'll deal with a fact it's a converted barn later. It will inevitably come to you. Of course it will influence your choices and that's how it should be; you don't want, say, Versailles in the converted barn..

But what you really should start it with-yourself. It's your home. The main theme in our places-is us..:)

I also don't necessarily think it's bad you haven't gotten things yet..still much better situation that just go and buy a lot all in once, because you have this fed up feeling, then being stuck with it.

Another thing that maybe is happening now : Some people need more time..they feel like nothing's happening while their mind is actually unconsciously working, gathering all the info, making sense of it..

and then suddenly-it starts moving

i knew for example in school that if we were given two hours to write an essay-for the first 40 min my brain would feel, like, totally empty. then the thoughts just hit you. then you write like crazy. you have your inspiration.

maybe for you things work in a similar way. you need a pause. and at some point-it all comes to you. like a puzzle.

Sorry that was really long..:)

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Comments (25)

User
7 years ago
Over a year ago.......or 2?? I thought I had a vision. I couldn't pull it together. I walked away thinking something would hit me. So far, it's just sitting there. Still waiting.
ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I'm making progress all right. So far just about everything I've bought has been wrong. You just get that sinking feeling over and over again.

What if you were to take lots of pictures of your home and post them here? It's amazing how clever people are and how many solutions they come up with. I'm sure you could get lots of help (well, probably not from me).
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Hi les, thank you (again) for the comments. Hope you are still out there. I'm looking at either a greeny tan for the walls or a greeny blue (I know you can't tell in the pics but there is a nice bit of greeny blue in the chairs. the tile on the fireplace is going to be changed soon so I don't want to decorate around it. Funny how somethings that look good IRL look hideous in the pics and some things that look hideous IRL look good in the pics (take my word for it, the tiles are hideous). We tried doing the sofa facing the fireplace last night and found that it is just too long to do this. Also the coffee table is so long that the chairs had to be way out on the sides of the fireplace rather than pulled up close. A small round coffee table would fix this but I love our coffee table (and it was one of the few fairly expensive things we've bought for the space). I totally agree that dying the slipcover would make all the difference. I actually tried to dye it a couple of weeks ago and it was a bit of a disaster. I tried using rit dye in Tan and it came out really pinky tan instead of golden tan. The dye remover wouldn't work and I had to bleach it and I think it came out whiter than before. I then tried dying one cushion with tea, but it didn't seem to change the colour at all (probably not strong enough sol'n) and at that point I was so sick of it, I gave up. Next time it gets dirty, I'll try the teastain again. Awhile ago you suggest doing darker pillows on the sofa to connect the chairs to the sofa. I found pillows in the same brown as in the chairs and made some out of a contemporary stripe in the green, red and tan (but don't show up well in the pic). You were absolutely right, they look great. Like most everyone else, we've been hit by the economic crisis and there is a possiblity the school my dh works for will have to close. So we won't be spending anymore money on the room (or anything else for that matter) until we find out if they can weather this storm. I'm going to try ttodd's trick and scour the basement. I've got at least 10 cans of paint in the basement and I'm thinking I'm just going to mix away until I get a colour I like (don't laugh now, this is how I got the perfect colour for the kichen walls and living room ceiling). I bought the prints already, but may look for cheap frames at the craft store or do what I used to do in my college days and just hang them from a wire with clothes pegs :-) Truth be told, I love decorating on the cheap. In the photo below you can kind of see the trio of modern black vases. I saw the trio for $130, but didn't want to pay that. I found a collection of different coloured vases in shapes I liked and spray painted them all black (total cost $30).
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User
7 years ago
I took the lazy way out and hired a great interior designer. If left up to me we would probably be using metal folding chairs from university days!
blfenton
7 years ago
Oh post pictures! The ideas that are presented may not be to your liking but they may help steer you towards a style or colours that you hadn't thought of yet.
1929Spanish-GW
7 years ago
I have the opposite problem. So many ideas....

We've redone the first bathroom, added a second bathroom, moved the kitchen to an addition, converted the old kitchen to my office and done the backyard from the dirt up.

If I don't stop, the next project on my list will be a divorce! Oh, but there are so many things I want to try......need to spend more time on my sewing machine instead.
Ellie RK
7 years ago
It's starting to get to me as well. I also know what I want it to look like, but having a problem getting there.

Need to furnish an entire house and aside from a couch, a chair and the lighting, I'm having a problem too.
JustDoIt
7 years ago
I've got a lot of nerve giving somebody decorating advice, but since you asked, here is some. Get a couch and then find a room you like on Houzz based on the style you like, i.e. eclectric, industrial, country barn, modern, etc.

There you go. You've got a start.

Show these fabulous folks here your room with the couch and they'll help you pick out the rug and other large accessories. (Uh, maybe you should pick out the style before the couch.)

Since you said it is an unconventional barn, you've got an opportunity to get some really neat stuff. Try antique stores, or I prefer true junk stores, consignment stores, Goodwill, etc.

Since you are hesitant to spend lots of money, if it is the wrong fit, no biggie. The fun is in the hunt.

Here are a few examples:

MODERN

The Dairy · More Info

COUNTRY/TRADITIONAL
1779 converted barn in CT · More Info

TRANSITIONAL?
The Gatehouse · More Info

Show us pictures and have fun.
joaniepoanie
7 years ago
I get stalled on accessories. I get the furniture, window treatments, rugs, paint etc.....but never get around to fully finishing a room. It's three years later and the walls are still bare in our second family room. Or I'll pick stuff out just to get something up or a space filled and then regret it. I feel like I'm never really done...or happy...with any space.
Annie Deighnaugh
7 years ago
I'm very color sensitive and I usually start with a fabric to give me inspiration...in fact a hunk of fabric inspired our whole house. So look at fabric or pillows or drapes or carpet or something that will give you a starting point. Once you have that, the rest will come much easier.
Kathie738 P
7 years ago
I'm now in panic mode..contractor coming in at end of month to replace ceiling in MBR and repair major wall cracks then paint room..I have no color picked for paint and I can't afford to make a mistake because so many other things need to be done

Does anyone have a gold bedroom that I could see.
Lavender Lass
7 years ago
It's warmed up enough to garden...so enough said. When I get the garden planted, I hopefully can get back to painting the kitchen : )

Don't know if this is your style, but this Fixer Upper barn conversion might give you a few ideas.

http://www.hgtv.com/shows/fixer-upper/fixer-upper-a-very-special-house-in-the-country-pictures
User
7 years ago
I can so relate to this. I have always had a difficult time making decisions, but in the past I did at least have a direction and could narrow it down to maybe 2 or 3 choices. I felt that each would be a very good choice , though of course one or two would be the better/best choice. Lately, it takes me forever and I just end up not even narrowing it down. The process just continues and I make zero progress. I have a few things I need to get (a runner rug or two for the kitchen, something to replace the 25 plus year old broken sorry vertical blinds on the sliders in the kitchen ) and I just dont do it.

I feel like I need to make a pact with myself that as of a certain date I will be on my way to ordering or doing because really- this is getting on my last nerve.

So I have no good advice but I can commiserate. Hopefully by going public here I can shame myself into action. :)
Annie Deighnaugh
7 years ago
Gold bedroom...keep it a lighter gold...but typically in bedrooms, I start with the bedding and/or window treatments. Easier to match paint to fabric than the other way around. But if you keep it toward the neutral side, it should work.

Short Hills NJ Home · More Info

Though I like this softer beige better than the gold.

Transitional Bedroom · More Info

The gold can go masculine
Master Bedroom · More Info
Kathie738 P
7 years ago
Thank you so much Annie! I have about 5 comforter sets that I like to switch around so finding something that would go with all of them has been a problem. My furniture is mahogany and there is a dark cherry Victorian fireplace with mantle and full length mirror in the corner of the room so now I just have to decide between pictures 1 and 3. The room has 3 good size windows but I'm in upstate NY where the Winters are long and cold and maybe the darker color would seem cozier?
Ellie RK
7 years ago
I'm also trying to figure out furniture for our upstate NY home, but I'm going for light colors. Light colors just make me happier, even when it's snowing, and cold out.

But, this is not for our primary home- maybe I'd feel different if it were.. hmm.. Nope, still prefer light. :)
mom2sulu
7 years ago
joaniepoanie,

I am your long lost sister--the accessories kill me.

I know that they make or break the whole room, and I just get overwhelmed. I love the eclectic look of accessories where a whole lot of different things work, but I find myself purchasing the matchy-matchy because I can't pull the other off. :( I told my hubby I was taking some time off the other day because it is stressing me out.

OP,

Good luck with your decorating. :)
Annie Deighnaugh
7 years ago
Esp if the room is on the north side, I'd go lighter. We have a bedroom that's BM Lenox Tan in the NW corner and while it's cozy, I find it very dark.
Peppapoodle
Original Author
7 years ago
I'm so glad that I'm not alone in this! And have enjoyed reading all your responses!

Part of my problem has been trying to work in what I have, some nice pieces that I don't want to get rid of my pennies on the $$ on CL. But they seem too traditional for this house. And my goal for doing this barn was a more simple, relaxed way of life away so I'm drawn more to more simple pieces now. Nothing shiny that shows dust!

I will get some pics up of rooms when I can get my thoughts more coherent about what I want.

Who wants to meet in Atlanta & hit Scott's antique market for some serious shopping?!?!
l pinkmountain
7 years ago
I am stalled on wall paint agonies. South facing room get very harsh light, make almost all wall colors fade to yuck.
cpartist
7 years ago
Relax everyone. Take a deep breath. It doesn't need to be done in a day. The best rooms and houses evolve over time and are a continuing journey. Only on HGTV does everything have to be done before you move in.

The best thing is to find something with color you love. For me in both my condo I just sold and in the house I'm hoping to build (don't ask!), I chose my busy granite first and everything in terms of color will work from that.

It may be a wallpaper you love, a fabric, a vase with the colors you love, a rug, a favorite chair, or even a painting. Then just choose pieces you LOVE. If you choose what you love, it will all work together.
Kitch4me
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
It's taken me over a year and a half to complete my FR!

I looked at a lot of magazines and Pinterest photos. I bought all the main pieces, but then stalled when it came to the finishing touches.

I did a lot of buying and returning, trying different pillows, tables, lamps. I even tried a online decorator. What looked good on paper, I didn't love in person.

Well, last month things kind of fell into place, I found what I needed at the flea market. Then last week I got my slipcover for my ottoman. I'm calling this room done!
lizzierobin
7 years ago
Omgosh! It took me a very long time to get my home decorated. We moved in with our furniture from our previous home, and purchased pieces we loved along the way. Don't feel it needs to be perfect by October. However, that being said, there are people on here that can provide you ideas, furniture and accessories to consider. I am with blfenton, post pictures and you'll get tons of great ideas. Besides, I'd love to see your new place!
patty Vinson
7 years ago
Last house took 4 1/2 years~sold in 8th year. In the new house.I built, I was finished in the first 2 1/2 years. I purchased a 2' x 3' area rug 2 years before I knew or even thought of building a house. I had read The Law of Attraction, as well as The Secre, based on a similar theory, and even purchased the video, I can't help but feel this is what set the wheels in motion, and brought it to fruition, especially with my SIL getting a transfer. I also had chosen a house plan on line 2 years previously, but did not send for it. Ironically, the house I chose to build is uncanny in it's resemblance. I am a firm believer in predestination.
Annie Deighnaugh
7 years ago
Yes, it can take awhile to decorate, though I was decorating our house as it was being built so it went hand in hand for me. Still, I settled for the wall color in my MBR and wasn't ever really happy with it. I must've spent over a year searching for the right color and finally found it and repainted which took only a day. I'm much happier with the color now, and would've never been able to select it without having lived in the room and seen it through sunshine and clouds.

I also ended up repainting the kitchen and am far happier with it now.

So don't feel as if what you need to decide today has to be perfect or eternal...it doesn't.

I can't seem to make any progress with decorating.......anyone else?

aprilneverends

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ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9

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