oped
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Decorating
Feb 23, 2021 16:49:42 GMT -5
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Post by oped on Feb 23, 2021 16:49:42 GMT -5
Could have been Your Money too because we can talk about how much you spend, or how often...
... but mostly how do you go about it? I’m not great. Gah. I think my living room idea might end up too busy.
I find these decisions taxing.
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stillmovingforward
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Post by stillmovingforward on Feb 23, 2021 17:15:22 GMT -5
I don't decorate. If i don't use it, it doesn't live in my house (or i pack it away). I don't even like pictures, which i get is strange. I have a china cabinet where i keep my liquor glasses and such. A bookcase, some quilts. Curtains to close when it's dark out. The walls are a grey right now. Used to be adobe just because i wanted some color. Now i want something more neutral. My furniture is all antique or given to me. Nothing matches but it all blends well because nothing is trying to match. Is that what you mean?
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Feb 23, 2021 17:25:50 GMT -5
Could have been Your Money too because we can talk about how much you spend, or how often... ... but mostly how do you go about it? I’m not great. Gah. I think my living room idea might end up too busy. I find these decisions taxing. What are you trying to do? I am kinda a function over form person, but that is usually about the design piece, not the decor piece. Once everything works the way I want it to, I can make things nice. I like having stuff on my walls that make me happy. We have one wall that is all street art from different vacations. We also have a photo wall of vacations - all taken by my hubs, but they are postcard quality (not snapshots of family). I like to keep my colors light. And try to get things to match. I fail a lot at that one. I don't have a lot of knickknacks. No room for that.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Feb 23, 2021 18:21:21 GMT -5
I find 'decorating' to be exhausting. I have cats - they decoratively sleep in a variety of places around the house. I use to put out different "holiday" stuff for each Holiday (like hearts for Valentine's day and green stuff for St. Patrick's day) But I stopped doing that. I painted the walls colors I like - the front hall, living room, and dining room are a creamy yellow color. The window treatments tend to pick up a color in either the area rug OR the furniture in each room. It's not busy. I am finally getting art on the walls. Mostly from local artists. (I'm not a big fan of stuff that matches. It's a little creepy, to me. Tables with every place setting the same make me nervous. How do you know which setting is yours? How do you know where to sit if your setting isn't there? I grew up with a mish mash of stuff. My plate/bowl were old fashion china-ish with a pretty flower border and a peony/carnations in the middle. My siblings all had different plates/bowls as well (Mom and dad's plates/bowls matched). How do you know which glass is yours if they all match ?? I don't want to cope with that at home.)
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Feb 23, 2021 18:48:23 GMT -5
When I finally bought living room furniture - I worked with a young "consultant" woman from the Laz-e-boy store. I have a 1950's era sized living room so the "Great Room" sized furniture wouldn't fit in it. LazyBoy had a "mid century" collection that was sized more appropriately. That's why I wound up there. The nice woman helped me pick out possible chairs/recliners and a couch at the show room. She came to my house with fabrics and pictures of the furniture I had liked in the showroom. She measured the room and the spaces and we talked about placement and then when she entered everything into her laptop - I had 2 couch choices (that would fit in the space for the couch) and 3 kinds of recliner/chairs to choose from (based on how I would use them - I needed them to be "moveable" so they could face the TV focus point or flip around and face the Fireplace.) Choosing the colors and patterns was easy. I couldn't choose a rug I was overwhelmed at that point. but the woman gave me clues for how to find one that would work in the room on my own. She also offered advice/clues about how to pick out curtains/window treatments. The clues were about what colors or what texture or patterns (or lack of pattern) to look for or to focus on. I used those clues/advice to buy a rug and window treatments. It worked out really well.
I am eternally in this young woman's debt. I hope she has gone on to do great things.
I applied some of the clues/advice to my dining room decorating. I chose a rug and window treatments that went together. That worked out well, too.
If I had my way - everything would be in a shade of yellow. It would be very scary.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Feb 23, 2021 19:20:55 GMT -5
I don't "decorate". I put things in various rooms that are functional.
That's probably why I'm still using furniture I got from my parents when I moved out and an end table that the church group I attended in college donated to my roommate and I when we got our own apartment. It all still works. Why replace it?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2021 19:50:47 GMT -5
Our latest "decorating" was the tv room which is one of our 3 small bedrooms. Previously we did it with antiques and Stickley reproductions, but January 2020 we decided we weren't happy with that look any more. We decided to ditch the Stickley love seat, Oriental rug, drop front secretary, Tiffany style lamp, and other heavier period pieces. We made a round of local furniture stores looking for things lighter and brighter. Over a 3-week span we found new, sort of transitional/mid-century modern chair, floor lamp, rug, and shelf unit to replace the darker stuff. We integrated the new stuff with an existing leather chair, media console and custom made Amish side table. We had a local shop make custom floor cushions for lounging around. We like it . We are pretty eclectic so our whole house is a blend of contemporary, transitional and antique.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2021 19:55:01 GMT -5
In my office, along with my Stickley desk and antique oak file cabinet, I started out with a very traditional wingback chair upholstered in a very traditional earth-tone striped fabric. Re-upholstery is a girl's best friend so it's now covered in silver, burn-out velvet in a cowhide pattern with brushed nickel nailhead trim.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Feb 23, 2021 20:08:42 GMT -5
I used to love decorating, but it's been pushed aside so much in my life, I don't really care all that much any more. We have a lot of projects in our house that aren't quite done, which doesn't help matters. We really gotta get on those this year.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2021 20:25:34 GMT -5
This house has a wall of built in shelves in the den, some behind glass. I had a hard time buying stuff for it because 1. I had no idea what I was doing 2. I have issues buying stuff that serves no functional purpose 3. See #1. If nothing else, I got the hang of buying stuff that serves no functional purpose lol. To the point that now I have a few things I have to wait until I have an appropriate surface to put them on. Every shelf has something on it now, but I still don’t think it’s “finished”. Mister prefers it like it is now and doesn’t want me to add more stuff. I’m good with that, because I’m at a place where less is more. Not quite a minimalist, but on that road. So if I add anything now, it will be something small. For me, I pick a color scheme first. Then, what kind of style I want for the whole house, keeping in mind the style of the exterior and architecture. Then I try to decide how I’d like a room to “feel”. For example, I want the den to feel comfortable and inviting, but still “nice” and pulled together. The living room, a bit more elegant. Having a color scheme and “style” in mind helps limit some of the overwhelming number of choices. When I can stay focused lol. The same colors will be throughout the entire house, but not necessarily the exact same shades. Like I have blues ranging from the vibrant blue I painted the front door, to navy blue. But all medium to dark, not any light blues. I have a large picture at the end of the hall before it turns, and that picture pretty much contains my color scheme for the whole house. I have to refer to it a lot to avoid adding random colors just because I see something I like. It’s just a branch with green leaves, but it also has dark blue, a golden yellow in it, and then shades of gray in the background. After my 2 week vacation most of the walls except for the other 3 bedrooms and the hall bath, will be some shade of gray, except for the breakfast nook (which I haven’t decided on yet, there are windows and I want my wall color to be sort of a “frame” for the view outside the windows, if that makes any sense) and I want dark blue somewhere, either my yoga room (the dining room that has no dining furniture), laundry room/mud room, or the guest bath. The rooms with gray walls will have blue accents, sprinkled with wood pieces or a little golden yellow. All furniture is/will be a neutral color, from cream to brown (the leather sofa in the den is a rich brown). The flooring is either dark brown wood and beige carpet (that will be replaced soon if I have my way), except for the bathrooms (a different tile in each) and the kitchen and laundry/mud room (ugly, worn out linoleum that matches my colors but needs to be replaced ASAP). Oh, and a marble looking hard floor (I don’t know enough about marble to know if it’s real or not) in the entryway. The shelves in the den are decorated with blue, gray, wood, and an amber colored glass piece. I have a wood carved giraffe, a blue elephant and a dark gray heavy ass stone rhinoceros, that lend a bit of African flair to the shelves along with a woven basket, so clearly I don’t consider the “rules” to be set in stone. I’ve been researching decorating tips for years, because I’m not really all that creative. And there are design “rules” pertaining to what draws the eye and feels “right “ like the odd number thing that even applies to landscaping, among a bunch of others. It’s not quite science, but the “formulas “ real help people like me that are clueless. I am nowhere near “done”, there’s even still furniture to buy. The entryway is the only area I’m done with, except for painting the walls and the fact that I wish we’d gotten a different console table for the area. I dare NOT say that out loud though because I picked it and Mister spent a pretty penny on it, so I’m stuck with it. I was thinking “French country” at the time because the exterior is a “French” style of architecture, but I’ve since abandoned the “country” part and actually prefer something a little more refined. I’ve also put my spending on all of that kind of stuff on hold while I figure things out with Mister. I’m not even close to being a professional or even really knowing what I’m doing myself, but I’m not adverse to looking at pictures and sharing my thoughts and opinions, with the disclaimer that I’m good with the fact that they’re worth exactly what was paid for them. I LOVE that kind of stuff, seeing what other people do to decorate their homes.🙂 If we start posting pictures and someone shows me how, I’ll share too and be open for feedback and ideas. Just keep in mind I’m not done. Whew! Long post, but you asked......
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oped
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Post by oped on Feb 23, 2021 20:41:54 GMT -5
I’m practical too. Shelves are my decorating go to 😜 I have a mantra about ‘stuff that sits there’. But at some point...
I’m finally getting rid of contractor white and painting some color and putting some things on the wall. I had some posters in the library and added some art prints I bought from Etsy. The kitchen I had a clear idea and added shelves to hold the pottery I treated myself to this year as part of my ‘pass on stimulus’ process.
The living room I tossed around ideas and thought I settled on one but now I’m not sure. I found these posters and thought I’d add photos and art from the places but now I’m thinking it might get too busy.
I do want to do visuals. I realize I’ve hardly printed picks over the years, and I’ll get into it more when I get to a keyboard maybe, but I’m not sure of this... ignore the mess. It’s so hard to get photos without glare. The idea is to add photos to all the strips and a few larger frames ones in blank spaces.
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oped
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Post by oped on Feb 23, 2021 20:44:24 GMT -5
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Lizard Queen
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Decorating
Feb 23, 2021 20:51:52 GMT -5
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Post by Lizard Queen on Feb 23, 2021 20:51:52 GMT -5
That big wall is just begging for a tree, up and over the windows.
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Post by minnesotapaintlady on Feb 23, 2021 20:52:10 GMT -5
I absolutely LOATHE decorating. I have no skill for it whatsoever and it shows. I don't even have much in the way of pictures on my (mostly off white) walls, and to one of my friend's horror still use a blanket on the south facing window of my livingroom to block sun when we're watching TV (she calls me her trailer trash friend...the joke being that she's the one that lives in the trailer ROFL)
However, I do appreciate a well decorated house and wish I could work the magic some people do on a room, but I am very deficient in that area.
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oped
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Post by oped on Feb 23, 2021 21:05:31 GMT -5
That big wall is just begging for a tree, up and over the windows. What does this mean? I’m so clueless.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Feb 23, 2021 21:10:33 GMT -5
That big wall is just begging for a tree, up and over the windows. What does this mean? I’m so clueless. Imagine a mural of a tree with the trunk in the center, and branches going up and over the windows. Or, it could just be some separate wall hangings, but vaguely resemble that shape in an abstract way.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2021 21:12:05 GMT -5
Soooo, if it were me, (but it’s not, so please feel free to ignore), I would put 1 large piece of art (appropriately “large”) in the space between the windows instead of the smaller pieces.
And I’m newly converted to liking curtains over or framing windows. Not that I’ve “dressed” my own windows, because I’m still intimidated and overwhelmed by buying curtains. But I like the “finished” look, even if the curtains are never actually closed. The curtains in my yoga room are purely decoration. The window has blinds for privacy and the curtains have never been closed since I’ve lived here. There’s a sheer piece in the middle of the window that’s clearly just for decoration, that would look funny if I closed the curtains. They were left by the previous owners, one less thing for me to concern myself with in the near future.
Imo, a “collection” is better grouped together in one space. Maybe one of the walls on the side?
Random thought, I love the idea of showcasing pictures from traveling. Before I met Mister, I’d started buying picture frames with the location on them in the more interesting places I’ve been, and adding a picture from the trip after I got home. They were all on the top of the hutch of my desk at my other house. Now they’re on my bookcase here. If Mister and I acquire more together, I’ll find places for them on the shelves in the den.
What exactly are you looking to do with the room in the pictures above?
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susana1954
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Post by susana1954 on Feb 23, 2021 21:33:10 GMT -5
My daughter-in-law has a design degree from the college we all graduated from. Most of us lived in this college town.
Anyway, I am constantly asking her what does she think. She is so awesome. Sometimes her style isn't my style, and I say so. But my "different" idea has usually been sparked by her original idea.
I am painting night stands dark blue with cream tops. I didn't like painting the whole thing solid blue because the furniture is dark. It looks so awesome after she suggested cream tips!
I am not a knick-knack person although there is a collection of blue porcelain in one corner.
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stillmovingforward
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Post by stillmovingforward on Feb 23, 2021 21:54:34 GMT -5
I would go with a slightly more intense or 'brighter' green on that wall and carry it ALL the way to the ceiling (I have 12 foot ceilings). Cover the stuff in the cubbies somehow. Either with material (lace curtain works nice) or put them in a variety of basket/box containers. But hide them. Then step back and reassess everything. Just my 2 cents. Fancy at my place is getting the dog a new bed.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Feb 23, 2021 21:59:27 GMT -5
I don't really decorate. I finally became a grown up and my furniture coordinates at least.
The rest is kid clutter, books I'm reading and random stuff that makes me happy to look at.
My walls are all pictures of us and art Gwen made. I have a new family portrait we painted together I got from etsy.
I have a little display case I'm pretty sure is where the original AC used to be. On that I keep my "treasures" things that are deeply sentimental I don't want the kids touching.
On the TV shelf I have more art Gwen did and my willow tree figures. I got one for DH after each kid was born. He bought me one after Abby.
Then I have two tiki glasses from Fongs Pizza in Des Moines.
DH has two fish and one deer head. Had to throw him a bone.
Pretty sure my living room would make several posters eyes twitch. 😉
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oped
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Post by oped on Feb 23, 2021 22:06:50 GMT -5
So I guess I should have said, this is the room you walk into. It’s big obviously, but the main work of art is what the couch looks at, which is husbands art, so the walls are kind of secondary.
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oped
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Post by oped on Feb 23, 2021 22:08:42 GMT -5
I originally though of world map between the two windows, a giant one, and put out pictures on where we’d been but that didn’t seem functional so this is where I went next. Some of the art is from those places, so... and it started to creep around as people wanted to add places....
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oped
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Post by oped on Feb 23, 2021 22:09:31 GMT -5
That pic of the fireplace is from when we were building, was the first I came to that showed most of it.
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susana1954
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Post by susana1954 on Feb 23, 2021 22:49:18 GMT -5
I would at least stain the mantel dark. It is lost being the same color as the fireplace.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Feb 23, 2021 23:25:36 GMT -5
I understand--you don't want to compete with the focal point. I agree that the color on the big wall should go all the way up, and you need something bigger/higher on it to balance it out. Make it light and airy, so it doesn't draw too much attention. I'd look for example to show you, but I need to try to go to sleep. Maybe I'll be able to find something tomorrow.
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CCL
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Post by CCL on Feb 23, 2021 23:28:10 GMT -5
I would go with a slightly more intense or 'brighter' green on that wall and carry it ALL the way to the ceiling (I have 12 foot ceilings). Cover the stuff in the cubbies somehow. Either with material (lace curtain works nice) or put them in a variety of basket/box containers. But hide them. Then step back and reassess everything. Just my 2 cents. Fancy at my place is getting the dog a new bed. I was thinking that, too, about painting the wall all the way up to the ceiling.
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oped
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Post by oped on Feb 24, 2021 1:26:33 GMT -5
There is a kind of offset at the top of where I painted and husband was going to put a wood trim/shelf there. Doesn’t mean I couldn’t paint above it as well.
Not sure what to do with the shelf, if I should put things on it? Ugh. The electrician insisted on putting outlets up there because I’d want lights up there? I made him put the outlets on a switch but have no idea what I’d want to put up there.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Feb 24, 2021 1:32:55 GMT -5
Could have been Your Money too because we can talk about how much you spend, or how often... ... but mostly how do you go about it? I’m not great. Gah. I think my living room idea might end up too busy. I find these decisions taxing. How do we go about decorating? We call a decorator. We’re both accountants. We have no imagination. We think beige is a color, that all of the acessories should be arranged symmetrically, that everything should be organized alphabetically, numerically, or by color, and that flat surfaces should be free of everything but some dust. I’ve managed to avoid taking down the wall between the dining room and the family room for 15 years because DW can’t decide how to deal with the gap in the carpet that will be created when the wall comes down. Now that an appointment with the decorator has been arranged, I guess the wall removal will be moving forward.
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jelloshots4all
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Post by jelloshots4all on Feb 24, 2021 6:35:58 GMT -5
Could have been Your Money too because we can talk about how much you spend, or how often... ... but mostly how do you go about it? I’m not great. Gah. I think my living room idea might end up too busy. I find these decisions taxing. How do we go about decorating? We call a decorator. We’re both accountants. We have no imagination. We think beige is a color, that all of the acessories should be arranged symmetrically, that everything should be organized alphabetically, numerically, or by color, and that flat surfaces should be free of everything but some dust. I’ve managed to avoid taking down the wall between the dining room and the family room for 15 years because DW can’t decide how to deal with the gap in the carpet that will be created when the wall comes down. Now that an appointment with the decorator has been arranged, I guess the wall removal will be moving forward. Hey, I'm an accountant and I love decorating!! I do like clean and sleek looks, but color and texture. I think the green wall looks too "even" and aligns with where the paint color changes, so it looks a little boxy. I think the green paint should go all the way to the ceiling. I agree that I would use a larger piece of art between the windows. Can I ask what those wood slat pieces are (2 vertical/2 horizontal)? Are the structural or can they be moved? For curtains, I would buy 1 set of two panels, and put one panel on the outside of each window. Use a rod on each window that goes about 3/4 over each window, and buy a curtain that is simple with very little pattern (maybe just at the top or bottom- not the full panel). It's hard to explain, but would give the visual of "framing" the whole area. I buy much of my decor items at Marshalls/Home Goods and Kirkland, which are inexpensive. I bought a Broyhill dresser from HomeGoods for $300 2 years ago. The room is gorgeous and would be so fun to decorate!!!
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Feb 24, 2021 7:13:16 GMT -5
I have been really trying hard at decorating, even though it doesn’t come naturally to me. As an engineer it is about functionality. DH and I also watch a ton of HGTV, mostly for the rehab parts, but when they decorate it sure makes a difference!
When we moved to KY we left a lot of our furniture behind as a lot was 25 years old and survived kids and dogs. Our new family room was larger. We actually went to decorator at furniture store. She helped a lot with furniture placement and rugs. We bought about half of what she recommended. Spent too much on rug, but it is huge and soft. It took about 6 months to find stuff for walls, mainly because I won’t buy until I really find something I like.
My latest decorating is our formal dining room, which we rarely use. I got into the metal wall art, bought some stuff from wayfair. When DH put it up he surprisingly said “that looks good”. I need a few more small spaces filled, and it could take a few more months on those.
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