I attended the design session at the Haven Conference that was given by Darlene, Erika and Sherry. I LOVED that session. Honestly, it was just a treat to meet these women, but to have the opportunity to listen and learn from them was, well, in a word, okay, in two words, flipping awesome!
Over the past few weeks since the conference I’ve thought a lot about something that Darlene shared. She talked about how to really define your style. What hit home for me was when she said when shopping for your home it’s a good idea to have a “don’t buy” word.
I’ve always considered myself to be a “smart shopper”. I’m fairly frugal, with the occasional splurge. I’ve recently realized that in actuality I’m a “smart spender” not a “smart shopper” and there really is a difference. I’ve bought things that fit the budget and will work for the space I’m currently working on many times. More often than not though, those items don’t remain in the space for long. They end up being stored away, donated, or garage-saled. Why? Because I never really LOVED them. I liked them. They fit the budget. I bought them because I thought to myself, “This will work.” I’ve learned that while I’m in the process of putting a room together, I will sometimes be impatient and buy stuff that will work rather than stuff that I really LOVE.
Sure there will be times when what I LOVE will change as my style is always evolving. However, buying things for my home with more of a discerning eye will certainly help me to better define what it is that I do LOVE.
So after some careful reflection and cleaning/purging of stuff, I’ve figured out what my don’t buy word is. It’s actually a phrase — This will work. I will no longer buy things for my home with that thought in my mind. If it’s not the item I’ve been looking for or something that I really LOVE, I will not bring it home.
Identifying this phrase has really helped me to better understand myself, to have more shopping self control, to take inventory of what I have and to really define my style.
I have been more purposeful and intentional in my decorating lately. It feels good to surround myself with those things that I truly LOVE.
Learning to be patient until I find the right piece isn’t always easy. Staring at blank walls and empty corners can make you twitchy sometimes (maybe that’s just me) but I’d rather wait for “the one” than go through a bunch of frogs any day. 😉
So, do you have a don’t buy word? Do you have any tips on how to define your style? You’d think it would be easy to figure out what your style is but it takes time doesn’t it?
I'm learning this lesson as well. I have told myself that it is worth the wait to get something I truly love. It's hard because I love the instant gratification (don't we all!) but in the long run it's better to save a bit more or keep looking for what a really love!