At any given time, I have about 10 items ready to go in shopping carts all over the web. The only thing that stands between me and a neatly organized browser is, of course, money. Sadly I’m not a wealthy woman, so I have to pick and choose which wants make the cut. And it’s probably a good thing I can’t just rush out and buy whatever my little heart desires as soon as it fixates on an object — I may or may not possess a rather capricious nature. I might change my mind once or twice (or a million times) whilst concocting a final plan. So let’s check out what I’m looking at and decide what to buy, mmmm kay?
First is this guy from shades of light, which I’m planning to put in the nursery. He’s about $200 shipped to my house and I know that’s not bad for a fixture, but I’m cheap and keep hoping to stumble upon something just as good for half the price.
I also have samples for these scrumptious wallpapers by Flat Vernacular, all of which kind of fit my color palette. Some I might have a place for, some are just objects of lust.
There’s also this hilarious toile print made of derby cars from the same company that would make the cutest kid’s bathroom ever, but not sure I want to go that juvenile… or maybe I do. TBD.
Adorable leopard pillow by Arianna Belle. I don’t really need this, per se, but it’s cute and splashy and $55.
Ikea has new leather furniture out, and it’s pretty damn comfy. The Karlstad now comes in white leather, which is probably not the most kid friendly, but at least it cleans up easier than fabric. Our chesterfield is looking shabby, and this mightmightmight work as new seating. Don’t worry — I would burn those legs in the fireplace and buy a new set of chrome ones. For $899 (plus $135 back as an Ikea gift card), it’s a whole lotta sofa for not a lotta moola.
Of course what I really want is a pair of these plush Ikea Mellby chairs to replace Chester. A pair of chairs would suit our seating configuration so much better and be more versatile down the line. Sadly, Ben would rather have a couch to sprawl out on… comfort vs aesthetics? Hmmm.
Probably I will buy neither right now and focus on other matters.
Like the marble table I have yet to order…
Or the paint I need for the kitchen cabinets, the upholstery for the nursery chair, bedding for the guest bed, chairs for the new table, a desk for the office, or any of the other million pressing issues I would like to tackle before the baby arrives.
I might have some problems with focus.
So help me out — anything on this list I must buy today?
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Bedding for the guest bed since I imagine there will be guests coming to see that new bundle of joy. Everything else can wait?
I love that light fixture and have searched high and low for something cheaper but I’m afraid it doesn’t exsist. Other than that I’m of no help.
That derby wallpaper is fabulous by the way!!
Light fixture and table (maybe you could find better prices on something similar if you waited, but maybe not). As to the others…more white leather sofas will come, and to that especially I say, “Craigslist.” I like the cars best of all the wallpapers, but it sounds like you don’t need any of them right now. If that salmon-and-white is designer, then it’s probably a fortune, and you might be wise to do a chevron yourself with stencils, some day when you have a bit more time. I buy high-end cotton sheets from thrift stores and (obviously) wash them…I tend to like mix-and-match sets anyway. But some people can’t deal with that. To those people, I say, “Home Goods,” and also, “Overstock.” The markup on brand-name sheets is INSANE.
Good luck. You’re finding good stuff, so you know you’ll get there eventually…do you have a ReStore or a Community Forklift in your area? If you can find one or two things for peanuts, you can free up more of your budget for what’s left on the list.
Table. Just do it.
I would also say light fixture, but it reminds me of Max’s crown from Where the Wild Things Are, and now I want you to make something that looks like the crown. Hey, it’s cheaper.
Light fixture, table.
NO on Ikea leather. (Unless their leather has radically changed recently, to be frank I don’t know that it is, in fact, leather.) I settled for an Ikea leather ottoman a few years ago and while it will likely remain in servitude for a few more years, it wears nowhere near as nicely as non-Ikea leather. Part of the reason mine is still around is that no one actually sits on it, but trust me when I tell you that it’s closer to vinyl than leather. Maybe OK for a playroom, no bueno for a living room.
Wallpaper is gravy at this point—deal with the main dishes, baby.
Also, I think this wallpaper is awesome: http://www.fschumacher.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=2704320.
I think your number one purchase should be a footrest. Put your feet up and relax — you’ve already got chairs and couches, you’ve got a kitchen table, no need to rush into these things! Once the baby comes, you can take him (or her) and the other one out to thrift stores and stumble upon something swank and cheap.
those chairs are smart looking. i don’t like the sofa, but fuck me.
i’m with errbody else. light fixture and table (although you CAN wait on that since you technically have one, right?)
light fixture!!!!!!!! (and i could go on with the exclamation points.)
I’m the same way with the shopping carts! And I actually had that same fixture in my cart foreverrrrrr, until I couldn’t get over the ridiculous shipping price and decided against it.
I say you should definitely get the table. It’s the most important!!
I have really warm feelings for that light fixture. It looks waaaaay more expensive than the price tag. And we don’t need to talk about the marble table again, do we. ;0)
A chorus of angels just sang in my ear when I saw that light fixture. I love it. I no longer care about your problems, because all I can think about is how to get that light into my house.
I need to check out these chairs.
Buy the table. The light fixture is very fun, but I’d be cheap about it to. Do you have any good vintage light sources in town? Do one more shopping trip and then just commit to this one.
The light fixture!
I am pretty late to this partay but, I say go for the light fixture and the marble table…You know in your heart of hearts the table is a go. (I wanna cut a piece of marble for my banged up mid mod table…Or recycled glass…? Not sure…..)
I also love the headrest thing going on with that light ! I concur with Mod that you need to at least get bedding for the guests you are soon to have….
Oh man this was like looking in the mirror. Ha! I am the exact same way. Always mentally juggling a dozen different purchases that I WANT to make and hardly ever actually committing to anything due to indecisiveness and lack of funds. My favorite item on your list is the Melby chair but I’d say if you’re going to jump on something the lighting fixture is the safest bet. That thing is fab and totally versatile, and like you said not a bad price.