Have you ever come across a FABULOUS find, and it’s the perfect whatever for that perfect space, and you weren’t even LOOKING for it?
That’s what I’m talkin about today. Decorating and finding these treasures when you least expect it. While I love big furniture stores and they do have beautiful things, I prefer to mix and match things to reflect my own style versus buying a “set” of some sort. I don’t want to buy a “living room in a box”… although it could be SUPER great price, I like the idea of being a “hunter and gatherer” and finding pieces and putting them together to have a more eclectic style, mixing old with new, sleek with detailed, and feeling like it’s a reflection of me. Mind you, these don’t have to be expensive purchases… Come and take a peek in my home. Let me show you what I’m talking about…
My woman cave. That big gold FABULOUS map I might add… I had completely different plans for that wall. Then I stumbled across it in this store where I’ve gotten other fabulous finds (you’ll see below) and I said, “GOTTA HAVE IT!” Gold + a map = Female Office material. I didn’t need anything for the space. However, it was SO unique and screamed my name so loud, I couldn’t pass it up.
Hello sunburst clock! I found this at the SAME store as I found the map above. Again, I wasn’t on a mission for something for this wall, however I did have my radar up for something new and fresh. And when I saw it, I knew this was it.
Ok seriously… 3 major things in this room….
1. The BUTTERY SOFT leather sofa that I SO didn’t need, but I walked into this furniture store, looking for something completely different for my brother in law, and this was on the floor, last one, like 70% off full retail price. I was like “ummmmmmm… ya I’ll take it, and I’m GONNA make it work if it means I tear out walls!” LOL!!! Was I in the market for a new sofa??? um, NO! lol!!! But it was SO beautiful and LUSH (seriously if you lay in it you won’t want to get out!) and for the price, I couldn’t pass it. It had my name all over it.
2. The geese over the fireplace. Not looking for it. Saw it. Cheap and fabulous. It’s mine. I’ll take it, thank you!
3. The 2 mirrored side tables beside the sofa. Was in Emory Anne’s Interiors dealing with Honestly Margo business, and as I’m browsing the lovely store, of COURSE these catch my eye. I call Anne the next day and tell her I can’t sleep over those tables. Mark them SOLD.
1. The table. Dreamed of a table like this for I’d say at LEAST 10 years? The travertine base with the thick glass top. Happened to walk into a consignment furniture store, and there it was. The the perfect mate I dreamed of! Literally, I envisioned it for years. When I saw it, it was like my dream came to life. No joke!
2. The side chairs. … so the table sat in my kitchen with chairs that didn’t match, but I was OPEN to what was around me. I didn’t go SHOPPING for them. That’s the key!! (BE IN TUNE!)… so as the kids and I are walking out of Subway one day, we are in front of the windows of another consignment store and there they were!! In a different fabric of course, and I said THOSE ARE IT! Those are going to be the chairs! The rest is history…
Does any of this make sense how it all comes together?
How do you do it?
1. Be open to everything you’re exploring when you’re out. In other words, maybe you’re shopping for a rug, but don’t ignore the art on the walls, the chandeliers from the ceilings, all of your surroundings.
2. Know your spaces well. Keep your rooms, your bookshelves, your walls, all of them in your photographic memory so that when you DO come across something that looks unique, you could say THAT WOULD BE AWESOME HERE!
3. Select things that you’re naturally drawn to. After all, that’s what makes your house your HOME. It’s YOU, personalized with your touches of the things you find lovely and beautiful. It’s a reflection of your style. {remember Friday’s post? wink!}
And I have to say this…. ANYTHING spontaneous is always more fun, right? {wink!} So you’ll look back on your accessory or furniture piece and smile knowing it was a treasure you found and you weren’t even looking for it!
Good points!