Decisions, decisions

Do you ever stop yourself from buying something you love thinking that its use is too limited?

I almost did that last Spring while redoing my daughter's room.

painting/chair/planter/pillow /pouf/desk

I walked away from this fab mirror that was a mere $50. All I could think was, "I don't need a mirror" and "What if she hates it? Then I am stuck."

Silly me. I saw that mirror in vignettes on Pinterest and it reminded me that I won't necessarily always be in this house and they are growing up and leaving so I will other places to use the mirror when circumstances change. Luckily, my short-sightedness did not hurt. The mirror was still at the store a few days later.

I put together this board to see how I might use it in an entryway or little office nook. Can we just talk about that pouf? It was love at first sight. I was thinking I should just buy it or two then I saw the price. Yikes!

Have you ever walked away from a purchase that you are kicking yourself over?

Pagoda mirrors

I love pagoda mirrors. I mean who doesn't right?

They are suited for mantles and entryways and dining rooms that need something over a console or buffet.

They are not for every house or budget. This one from Circa Who is $2800. Another was on eBay for $1500.

Circa Who

The thing I like best about pagoda mirrors is...

that there is now one in my house!!!

Imagine me screaming that and jumping up and down like the people one The Price is Right!

That is how excited I am, especially since the price was right. It amounted to about what the sales tax would be one one found in a retail store.

I have Kristen of Pursuing Vintage to thank for this. She emailed me about an estate sale nearby. At first I dismissed the idea entirely because my husband and I agreed on a spending fast where we buy nothing but food, gas and essentials.

Then I peeked at the offerings and saw the mirror. Despite my inner curmudgeon telling me it would be gone already, too expensive and that I dare not buy anything, I went.

Let's just say that Mr. Design du Monde was none too pleased about this but he was not mad enough not to style the whole thing. He hated the varying blues in my porcelain set up so I scurried about the house bringing pieces for his approval. He is insisting that the painting next to the mirror is wrong looking so I better fix that. He is a styling fiend!

Toot!--that was my horn

Let me explain. This perfectly charming entry vignette is in blogger, Morgan's new home.

A while back, I noticed traffic to my Etsy store coming from her blog, Oh Captain, My Captain.

I wondered why and went on over to investigate.

She bought this painting from me and did a post about it. HERE

I was super flattered.

I continued to read her posts.

She just bought and moved into this darling house. I believe it is her first time owning a home.

She and her fiance made amazing progress before moving in. HERE

Which brings me back to the first image. She did a post on the newly complete decor in her entry and there was the painting I did. I was thrilled to see it in place in her very lovely house.

Thanks, Morgan!

There. I tooted my own horn.

Foyer is a dirty word

I have opinions. They may be unnecessarily arbitrary but I have them.

 

I hate the word "foyer". Whether you say foyer or foyay, it annoys me.

Entry hall works for me. So that is what I say.



It sounds rather grand  to refer to it as a "hall" but even functional, mudroom type rooms can be described this way.







Some people say entryway. Which is OK I guess.

A favorite of mine

I think all entry halls should have something functional and attractive even if it is not the everyday way in and out of the house.



In my own house we come in and out through the garage mostly. The front door is used less often because it doesn't make sense to use it when you park a car in the garage.



In our entry hall we have many decorative items but some serve a purpose. A table with a drawer and  a lamp and "key bowl" on top.



An oriental carpet protects the hardwood floor.



A chair is always handy as a place to put on shoes or temporarily dump a coat.



So, kind readers, I ask that you change your vocabulary. Nix that silly word and call it what it is,
An entry.