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Decorating: Beyond The Tissue Box

April 21, 2013

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People inspire you, or they drain you, pick them wisely.


I saw this quote last week while I was poking around Pinterest and it’s gotten itself lodged in my head. I can’t stop thinking about it. I picture the words, white against the black background, I hear them in my head, screaming at me over the music on my car radio, I’ve even caught them floating through the twilight right before I fall asleep. 

Nagging, nagging, I couldn’t figure out why they were weighing on me so heavily and then tonight it hit me and it’s all about my shower curtain.

You see, I got a new shower curtain this week to update my bathroom for spring. It’s white and fresh and it’s from Target. I think I like it, but I am not quite sure yet. There’s some lace, but still it’s kind of plain.

I thought it was what I wanted, but now I can’t decide if its simplicity is stunning or if it’s just plain boring.

So, I am going to keep it hanging up there for a few days to see if we click, if not I have a red one I could try out. Choosing the right one may require a bit of my time, but I want to make sure I love it, so it’s worth it to me.

Okay, so what does this have to do with the quote?

Well, everything.

I started writing these pieces to inspire myself and others to seek out something exquisite each and every day in our unremarkable and often rote surroundings. The search has, so far, been focused in and around my home, on décor and decorating details like the joy of picking out a new shower curtain. To me, it seemed natural, home is the place you spend most of your time and have the most control over your environment.

When decorating, I have counseled, it is always best to surround yourself with things that you love. Pick accessories that make you smile, select the colors and pieces that make you happy, don’t worry about what others think.

All good advice and I stand behind it, but this quote has made me realize that these tenets should also be applied to the larger task of decorating your life.

By focusing on the shower curtain, I have been thinking too small.

What good is a fabulous home if your life in general is not filled with equally fabulous individuals ~ individuals, who support, elevate and, like the quote says, inspire you.

We carefully contemplate small details like hand towels and picture frames, making sure that everything we place inside our homes is just right, comfortable…the cozy couch that envelopes you, the sturdy chair that supports you, the soft chenille blanket that keeps you warm.

I find it ironic that sometimes we choose our furnishings more carefully than we choose our relationships, falling haphazardly into ill-fitting friendships of convenience with coworkers, classmates, neighbors.

So, do I have any great advice on this subject, any quick “people picking tips” to share– nope, not this time.

At least nothing more prolific than the obvious.

Make sure that people close to you are no less supportive than your favorite chair and be deliberate when choosing, in all aspects of your life.

It’s much easier to donate an ugly couch, than it is to separate yourself from a toxic friend.

The words seem to have a quieted down now that I have let them out of my head, perhaps because they are making their way into yours.

It's a relief as the screaming was a bit much, but truer words have never been spoken and so I hope that my consciousness is able to hold on to them for a while.

I just need them to whisper.

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  1. It's kind of fun to "go back" and see what was on our minds then, huh?
    Brenda

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    1. Absolutely, Brenda. It's also interesting to me that I still feel exactly the same way. In this case, I think it's a good thing! ;)

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  2. You are right on with that Kim! Thanks for sharing ;)

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    1. Thank you, Karen. I forget this sometimes…

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  3. Much wisdom in that little quote! Thanks Kim!

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    1. Thank you, Lynn. It was one I hadn't heard before and now I can't get it out of my head!

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  4. So so true Kim, we get lost in the "things" sometimes and forget about the people. I am also guilty of focusing too much on home details and crafts, I even dream about them...lol.

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    1. I dream about them, too, Mary...and you know, they never fail to inspire me! ;)

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  5. Ah, such wonderful words of wisdom, Kim. thanks so much for sharing.

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    1. Thank you, Susan! They are words I try to keep in my head, even if I have a super supportive group of wonderful people around me now!

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  6. Wise words looking back. I enjoyed this post Kim. Thanks for sharing!!

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  7. Oh, I love this post! You're so right about how we sometimes spend more time choosing furniture, etc. than friends. I've had some toxic friendships in the past and the best thing I've done is to let them go. It's not easy to break up with a friend, but I did it and never looked back. :) Sometimes people say mean things just to hurt you and we don't need to waste our time on people like that. Here's another quote I heard and loved..."Don't let those things live rent free in your head." It was pertaining to someone not being able to let go of mistakes she had made, and not being able to forget hurtful experiences, but it would work in many situations. Want the source for this fantastic quote? It was Captain Brass on CSI. Lol! Love that show!

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    1. It's funny how deliberate we are with so many meaningless things, isn't it? And yes, great quote!! :)

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  8. Yes, that is a wise quote...
    I liked your others too.

    All the best Jan

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  9. Great post and it's a great quote.

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