As you’ve probably guessed, I have a decorating disorder. It goes a little something like this: watch, wait, buy nothing, get jittery from watching and waiting and buying nothing, buy everything, tire of almost everything, sell everything. Repeat ad infinitum. I’ve sold most of the big ticket items from my craigslist jag so inventory is now on the low end, and you all can guess what happens next… Except that I’m kind of enjoying the purge — so much so that I might dig a little deeper and sell more. It’s liberating, and I’m not mad about having a few extra benjamins kicking it in my bank account.
But it’s not like the wily monkey on my back is giving up without a fight. He’s always tempting me with stuff like this:
I really appreciate the all overness of this look, and it does appeal to my need to cover every square inch of space with something — be it paint, wallpaper, patterned floors, furniture, etc. I wouldn’t want the empty parts to feel neglected, because no one like to see a sad room.
On the other hand, a minimal palette and restrained use of furniture and accessories is so refreshing. I think it’s hard to do this look without it feeling unfinished or sterile, but when it works, it’s motherbleeping sublime. Check it:
OWI
Head Over Heels
Sure, it doesn’t have to be all white, but it doesn’t hurt. More color and variety in materials = more temptation to head into binging territory. Oh, but the road to excess leads to the palace of wisdom, you say? Quite so. Quite so.
Now that you’ve had a visual feat, what do you guys think? Binge or purge? Excess or humility? Lady Gaga or Neko Case? Angel food cake or devil’s food with chocolate molten center and sprinkles on top?
Oh, and don’t worry — SOOL is coming up soon. Pinky swear!
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If you’re making money at it, how ’bout opening an eBay or Etsy shop?
Ditto Raina.
I’ve thought about it — mostly because you and Karly seem to think I should (and you’re both much better at business stuff than me!) — but the shipping seems like a real pita.
Anyone out there run an online shop that ships big items have any advice for me?
I’m not a shipper but, thanks to you and Karly, I’m an ebay shopper.
The wonderful dining room chairs you found on ebay arrived on a Greyhound bus. They came from Indiana. The guy had taken the chairs apart, stacked the seats so two interiors faced each other, surrounded them in flattened cardboard boxes (that he apparently got from the grocery and liquor stores) then wrapped well with shrink wrap and taped. The legs were stacked with cardboard in between, around and shrink wrapped like the seats. The screws were in a plastic bag that were taped in there too. Everything got to me in 3 days, counter to counter. It worked well. I know that sounds like a lot of work but it really isn’t.
The fantastic lucite chairs, found by Karly, were put on a delivery truck and delivered to a friend’s shop in DC. Apparently crossing the river into VA was just too much for the New Jersey ebay shop to bear. This time there was no packing whatsoever.
You can also limit it to local pick up only.
I have no thoughts about the whole e-bay store thing, but when it comes to decor and stuff, I’m a maximalist. More is more, says I. Those spare white spaces leave me cold.
simple spaces are nice and serene to look at…but for me, i need stuff- it makes me happy and layering it with more stuff is mo better! i love the kelly wearsler room
Miles Redd photo….rocks my face off.
Love your disorder, it’s the spice of life.
You may want to try something a little more “home related” than craigslist.
Give My Blue Sofa
Love your disorder, it’s the spice of life.
You may want to try something a little more “home related” than craigslist.
Give My Blue Sofa a try :9
What I’ve learned from this- excess is my middle name. But purging must feel so good. I wouldn’t know and yet, I support your endeavor wholeheartedly. :0)
Raina speaks the truth.
I have no experience shipping large items except for when I receive them…BUT what about a booth at an antique mall or at a flea market? (Dude, you’re in Austin. I can only imagine you throw a rock and hit some enclave of hipsters selling awesome shit.)
I’m not sure what the costs are like, but I’d presume fairly low, the big issue would be where to store stuff when you’re not selling it.
Just keep me posted so I can plan a trip around Le Marche du Erin. (Marche means store, right? I guess I could look it up…)