My home was built in the 1990s, which means it's stuck in a time warp of golden oak trim, polished brass hardware and an oak entertainment center that will never hold a 42-inch flat screen TV.
It needs updating -- big time.
I've already swapped out my cream kitchen appliances for natch -- stainless steel. I got rid of the light bars in the bathroom, which were a better fit for a backstage dressing room. My current obsession is finding a 21st century dining room chandelier to replace the etched glass and brass pendant number that looks straight out of a Parade of Homes, circa 1998.
The new light will be hanging around for years to come so I don't want to make a hasty decision. My husband, on the other hand, would walk into a Menards, crane his neck to peruse tjhe lights suspended high above and buy the first one he liked. He'd try to squeeze it into the Menards 10 percent off bag to get a deal.
My approach is to comparison shop at least FIVE lighting stores to get an idea of what's out there. "We'll never get one," he said. He may be right. I've been scrutinizing granite slabs for about a year and can't decide which one is perfect for the kitchen counter, another work-in-progress.
So far, I've hit two stores. I'm not looking for a vintage Colonial Revival-style chandelier, nor an ultra-mod Moooi fixture. And I'm not going to fall for the ubiquitous antique bronze iron chandeliers, which lighting companies must have gotten a screaming deal.
I'm sure there's unique, creative styles for my traditional home, but I just need to find the time to find them. The Twin Cities offers at least a dozen lighting stores. Then there's an infinite number of Internet sites. Whew. By the time I finish updating my '90s decor, it will be out-of-date.
Do you suffer from decorating indecision? What's your plan of action when it comes to doing a room makeover or just freshening up a space?
