You've Got it Bad

Hello Designers,

You know you've got it bad, when you spend all day thinking about the perfect -- wait for it -- drapes! LOL. Yes, quite sad. But that was my experience all of last week. In my last post you saw that I had some angst trying to find the right drapes for my bedroom. This week I'll share with you the one I picked, as well as my thoughts on when it's OK to be obsessive.

Project Status Report

Let start with a quick status report on my.project. As the picture below shows, I am 38% complete with redesigning my bedroom, and that's progress! I finally settled on the right window treatments, and to be completely honest, I didn't expect to be this far along at week 5. But I am glad to be ahead as I anticipate a few bumps ahead with getting my dresser. Rome wasn't built in a day though, and this may take me more than 12 weeks.

Master Bedroom Redesign Status

And the Answer is...

Last week I asked for your help in picking my drapes and I presented you with 5 options A, B, C, D, and E (see last week's post). I decided on option... F, that's right: 'None of the above'. Why? None of them really worked with the design I had in mind. Here is the first big mistake I made in my redesign -- trying to stick to only 2 stores for my window treatments. Sounds silly, right? Well, it is, but I have an excuse, all be it a poor one. I received a substantial gift card to any of the Williams and Sonoma stores, i.e. Pottery Barn, West Elm, et al. I decided I would either buy my bedding (already purchased at Bed, Bath and Beyond) or my drapes there. Four out of the five options I showed last week were from Pottery Barn (makes sense since I am drawn to Cottage Chic design), and one was from West Elm, a more contemporary store. Don't ever get boxed in or attached to certain stores, even if the stuff is more affordable. There's a big world out there folks, and chances are that there's something better out there, just do a little exploring on Amazon, eBay, and Google.  I did just that and I was so much happier for it. First lesson learned.

I discovered Etsy.com, which is a lot like eBay marketplace, but better, a community of artists, creators, and collectors. Right up my alley. I found a great print, see pic below, for my drapes, and they'll be custom made, with blackout lining! The price is also just about what I would have paid at Pottery Barn, actually less. Why does this work better than the other drapes? It's still within the color family (gray) and theme of my room (vintage-chic). My headboard is grey and linen colored (see my first post for pics) covered with different pattern; whatever drapes I picked had to work with that, but not necessarily match; as a friend of mine would say, "Matching is so passe," with an eye roll for added drama.

This pattern works because it's vintage theme, and has a pop of color, yellow. What's even better is that it has birds on it (not too many) and I've added that to my theme -- birds and butterflies. Don't worry, you'll see how it all comes together when I do the Big Reveal at the end. I measured my window frame to ensure I had the right fit. I don't want the drapes pooling too much on the floor, so 84" works for me.

That's not all, I also picked my curtain rods from Pottery Barn; you didn't forget about those, did you? Yep, here it is:

The glass finial ball at the end of it makes it so vintage, and reminiscent of antique door nobs. I picked a antique pewter finish. I also will purchase clip rings, and that's it for my Window Treatments.

One more thing, I chose new decorative pillow covers for my bed. The ones I had last week were also not right for my theme, a little too tropical I think (see last week's post). See the pics below for my new pillows:

Decorative Pillows

Now are you getting where I'm going with my design? These pillows will work with the pattern of my headboard because the design is simple, still within the color family (grey and linen colored) but still outstanding, so that it will attract immediate attention. Most importantly, I'm loving the birds, and they're one of a kind pillows. Once again, Etsy came through for me!

Obsession

It's such a tainted word, however, Merriam-Webster defines obsess as "to haunt or excessively preoccupy the mind." What happens, though, if one is obsessed with good things? As I recall there is is such a thing as a 'healthy obsession'. OK, I admit, my obsessing about drapes over the last couple weeks was not necessarily healthy, yes, I'm calling it as it is. How about you? Many times, our attentions are misplaced; we obsess about things that don't need to be exhausted. The way I think about it is that whatever we choose to focus our energies on should be valuable, especially since we use less than 10% of our brain power, as scientists say we do. Think about it, what is utmost on your mind most of the time? Your job? Bills? That cute guy or girl? Yourself? I'm not saying we shouldn't think about these things, just not worry or obsess about them. One of the best things we can do with our minds is think about how we can bless others. When was the last time you thought about making someone (other than your significant other or child) happy? Or the last time you did something purely from unselfish motives for someone else? Think that's impossible. I suggest we start with loving God first.

Mark 12:30 & 31 says:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. The second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

All thy heart, soul, mind, and strength. Sound obsessive? It is, but that's what God wants of us. Here's why. The reason we obsess over something is usually because we think it will enhance our lives. I thought having the drapes would make (or break) my room. So if we obsess about God, who has nothing but good intentions toward us, it stands to reason that our lives will be so much better for it. Talk about the definition of healthy obsession! Not convinced? Consider the excerpt below from Education, chapter 16:

To love Him, the Infinite, the Omniscient One, with the whole strength and mind and heart, means the highest development of every power. It means that in the whole being-- the body, the mind, as well as the soul-- the image of God is to be restored... The law of love calls for the devotion of God and our fellow men. And this service, while making us a blessing to others, brings the greatest blessing to ourselves. Unselfishness underlies all true development. through unselfish service we receive the highest culture of every faculty.

 Ellen G. White

Remember, healthy obsessions only!

Happy designing,

Kyla