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Home Décor, Learned The Ropes, Minimalism V Maximalism

by lanfear63
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I moved into a rental two years ago after my divorce, it had all dark wood floors except a brown carpet in the bedroom. About 640 square feet. All I had when moving in was a queen bed and mattress, a two seater sofa and a cheap wood framed lounge chair, an armoire and large chest of drawers and two bedside tables and two cheap tv's and a lamp or two

Aside from that and buying some food, kitchen and bathroom utensils and supply's, that was basically it. (apart from my clothes and personal effects)

I bought a cheap but new washer and dryer ( a little room was provided with hookups). I bought a cheap stand for the living room tv, a coffee table, a table for my computer and after a while, replaced the bedroom tv with a more expensive one. A side table for the sofa Then, I left it be.

I had all I actually needed and did not worry about blank walls, no pictures, no rugs. no color variation to think of. Two years of that.

But during the second year the lockdown happened which led to retirement and I became fascinated with home buying and home décor tv shows. I began to see how the placement of items, the color schemes, pictures on the walls, the lighting etc would make a huge difference to the way a place would look. It began to matter that I wanted some variation, some zoning, as much as you could do in a rental.

First I did area rugs and mats. Already a difference. I have just ordered a load of artificial plants and paintings (a bit dark in my place for real plants). I also intend to get some accent colored led lamps. I'm not that far off completing the transformation.

I thought I would remain a minimalist as it's easy to maintain. However, after trying it for two years I found a real need for color and variation. I will never have a clogged place full to the brim with nick nacks and possessions, but need some variation and color in the décor.

Interesting how things begin to matter when your no longer going out to work each day and just viewing it as a place to crash.

Here's a very short docu on minimalism and maximalism. The answer, for me lies somewhere in-between. https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p07zg...nd-minimalists

Which one are you closest too?
  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post


    Here's a very short docu on minimalism and maximalism. The answer, for me lies somewhere in-between. https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p07zg...nd-minimalists

    Which one are you closest too?
    personally? I used to live in an efficiency apartment with a nice king sized waterbed...with drawers under it. And a TV on a stand at the foot of the bed. That's it. My books were in boxes. I think I had one pot, one fork, a knife...and a plate. maybe one glass.

    It would never occur to me to have more. I could have lived my entire life like that.

    But Cheryl? Plants on every table, and everything matches. Every Christmas, Easter, Winter, Summer, Fall, Halloween...she puts out several boxes of decorations, including paintings, statues, wreaths, and several dioramas. Every surface, tabletop, armoire, end table, entertainment center...gets its own display.

    I'm not joking. For years, we had two large Christmas trees. One in the living room, so all our neighbors could see it...and one in our sunroom...so one neighbor behind us could see it.


    I'm certain my wife is possessed by a demonic elf.

    The home is for my wife. The yard is for my wife. Me? I like the library. 360 degree bookshelves made of hickory line the walls. But other than that? I like the TV (our main one).

    When I had my apartment, and when I own a home, my first thought in decorating is....I want the place to scream "Don't visit me for any reason".

    I may feel differently when I retire completely....or after I die. But don't bet on it.

    I remember when we were shopping for a new home, maybe 13 years ago. We saw this house, and I asked Cheryl "Is this nicer than anyone else's home in your family?" She said "Yes", and so it met with my sole criteria.

    The thought never occurred to me that we would immediately become the default "Holiday family get together home".

    Live and learn.
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    • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
      Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

      personally? I used to live in an efficiency apartment with a nice king sized waterbed...with drawers under it. And a TV on a stand at the foot of the bed. That's it. My books were in boxes. I think I had one pot, one fork, a knife...and a plate. maybe one glass.

      It would never occur to me to have more. I could have lived my entire life like that.

      But Cheryl? Plants on every table, and everything matches. Every Christmas, Easter, Winter, Summer, Fall, Halloween...she puts out several boxes of decorations, including paintings, statues, wreaths, and several dioramas. Every surface, tabletop, armoire, end table, entertainment center...gets its own display.

      I'm not joking. For years, we had two large Christmas trees. One in the living room, so all our neighbors could see it...and one in our sunroom...so one neighbor behind us could see it.


      I'm certain my wife is possessed by a demonic elf.

      The home is for my wife. The yard is for my wife. Me? I like the library. 360 degree bookshelves made of hickory line the walls. But other than that? I like the TV (our main one).

      When I had my apartment, and when I own a home, my first thought in decorating is....I want the place to scream "Don't visit me for any reason".

      I may feel differently when I retire completely....or after I die. But don't bet on it.

      I remember when we were shopping for a new home, maybe 13 years ago. We say this house, and I asked Cheryl "Is this nicer than anyone else's home in your family?" She said "Yes", and so it met with my sole criteria.

      The thought never occurred to me that we would immediately become the default "Holiday family get together home".

      Live and learn.
      Interesting, largely you are just not allowing yourself to be disturbed by your wife's seasonal decoration, going along with her decor ideas, not too bothered. I would ask about the nick nacks that are in your rooms. Are the rooms really cluttered with them and furniture, do you feel like you can't get up and move around without the fear of knocking something over. Do you collectively have too many possessions in your opinion.

      Yes it is very different living alone, you set your own standards, I generally keep things clean and tidy, though not obsessional and when I moved into an empty shell and kitted it out with the essentials I thought, well, that will be it. But two years later, craving for a bit more variety, decor and color.

      Who knows what you would do living in a rental if retired and alone, first you may be happy with minimalist, but then you might want to make it a bit more cosy or colorful. You may surprise yourself. It might be that you have so much time on your hands, not working and see it as a project. (I know that your food cupboard and fridge would never be minimalist though, lol)

      When I went to my fathers house in the UK, to clear out his things after he died, my sister and I spent two weeks going through his and my mothers stuff. Although they had plenty of cupboards, they never threw anything away, they were stuffed. I was a little upset that some things were of sentimental value, but other than a few family photographs, I never took anything away, not wanting to be cluttered. My sister looked after him for his last several years as a care person, so anything that she sold, I never l asked for any proceeds, the least I could do.
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

        Interesting, largely you are just not allowing yourself to be disturbed by your wife's seasonal decoration, going along with her decor ideas, not too bothered. I would ask about the nick nacks that are in your rooms. Are the rooms really cluttered with them and furniture, do you feel like you can't get up and move around without the fear of knocking something over. Do you collectively have too many possessions in your opinion.
        We have plenty of room to move around. And it isn't really cluttered.

        Cheryl puts out decorations on pretty much every level surface, depending on holidays and seasons. An what was up there before, she puts back on large plastic tubs. that we store in the basement.

        So it's never a lot of stuff at one time. And although it doesn't matter to me, it matters to her. So I help her pit it all up, and then take it all down. To me, it's funny. but it makes her happy, so it makes me happy.

        For example, when it gets close to Easter, every covering on tables, the top of the entertainment center, the fireplace mantle....every piece of decoration, lets you know that it's Easter. But it all goes together. And it doesn't look cluttered.

        There are times when the only people in the home for an entire season are her and me. So it's for her, I think.
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        • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
          Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

          We have plenty of room to move around. And it isn't really cluttered.

          Cheryl puts out decorations on pretty much every level surface, depending on holidays and seasons. An what was up there before, she puts back on large plastic tubs. that we store in the basement.

          So it's never a lot of stuff at one time. And although it doesn't matter to me, it matters to her. So I help her pit it all up, and then take it all down. To me, it's funny. but it makes her happy, so it makes me happy.

          For example, when it gets close to Easter, every covering on tables, the top of the entertainment center, the fireplace mantle....every piece of decoration, lets you know that it's Easter. But it all goes together. And it doesn't look cluttered.

          There are times when the only people in the home for an entire season are her and me. So it's for her, I think.
          Makes for interesting scenic changes throughout the year although it's the same decorations recycled?. Wonder where she got that from. It does not seem to be a nationwide thing. My parents in the UK only ever did Christmas, mainly for us kids. You could say, it's for the cats entertainment.

          It's true to say, up to a point, that decorating the walls with pictures, putting down rugs and adding plants, adding "some" nick nacks and furniture actually makes your place look "bigger'. Also, zoning the spaces with different themes makes for an interesting diversion.
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          • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
            Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

            Makes for interesting scenic changes throughout the year although it's the same decorations recycled?. Wonder where she got that from. It does not seem to be a nationwide thing. My parents in the UK only ever did Christmas, mainly for us kids. You could say, it's for the cats entertainment.
            Now that you mention it, I don't know anyone else that does it.

            I think it's that she sells her paintings, crafts, flower arrangements and wreaths in our store. So she just loves creating nice art with a theme.

            Some of it she sells, and some of it finds it's way home.

            It's different decorations every time she makes a change, but the same decorations year o year. For example, her Easter decorations come out every Easter, with some additions.

            It's all very attractive. I personally wouldn't go to the trouble. I almost don't even see it anymore. But every couple of months, we get a dozen large boxes of stuff, she puts it out, and we put back into boxes whatever was out before. A nice ritual that she enjoys.

            And if she enjoys it, I enjoy it.
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            • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
              Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

              Now that you mention it, I don't know anyone else that does it.

              I think it's that she sells her paintings, crafts, flower arrangements and wreaths in our store. So she just loves creating nice art with a theme.

              Some of it she sells, and some of it finds it's way home.

              It's different decorations every time she makes a change, but the same decorations year o year. For example, her Easter decorations come out every Easter, with some additions.

              It's all very attractive. I personally wouldn't go to the trouble. I almost don't even see it anymore. But every couple of months, we get a dozen large boxes of stuff, she puts it out, and we put back into boxes whatever was out before. A nice ritual that she enjoys.

              And if she enjoys it, I enjoy it.
              I'm in the market for some paintings, what sort of stuff does she paint?. I have ordered some paintings off Amazon. So, some fantasy space art and aurora borealis for my computer and music corner. Abstracts also ok. I still have a lot of wall space to cover. Here's what I have ordered so far. will arrive today, tomorrow and Monday....(no affiliate links)

              https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

              https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

              https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

              https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

              https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

              https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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              • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
                Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

                I'm in the market for some paintings, what sort of stuff does she paint?. I have ordered some paintings off Amazon. So, some fantasy space art and aurora borealis for my computer and music corner. Abstracts also ok. I still have a lot of wall space to cover. Here's what I have ordered so far. will arrive today, tomorrow and Monday....(no affiliate links)
                Flowers, fruit, landscapes. She is really big into tole painting. And it's mostly paintings on objects, like dishes, bowls, jewelry boxes, that sort of thing.

                We have several original paintings in our home that we bought in a gallery. Not expensive. None more than $1,000. All are outdoor scenes.

                Her later paintings are about that good. Most of the paintings she does on canvas are for us at home. It takes her a month or so to do one. Very meticulous.

                By the way, because of the way she thinks (and her whole family is like this) she refuses to sell anything she creates for much more than the cost of materials. She may have an art piece that took her a month to paint, and sell it for $30.

                Thank God she married an unabashed capitalist with no fear of asking for money.
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                • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
                  Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

                  Flowers, fruit, landscapes. She is really big into tole painting. And it's mostly paintings on objects, like dishes, bowls, jewelry boxes, that sort of thing.

                  We have several original paintings in our home that we bought in a gallery. Not expensive. None more than $1,000. All are outdoor scenes.

                  Her later paintings are about that good. Most of the paintings she does on canvas are for us at home. It takes her a month or so to do one. Very meticulous.

                  By the way, because of the way she thinks (and her whole family is like this) she refuses to sell anything she creates for much more than the cost of materials. She may have an art piece that took her a month to paint, and sell it for $30.

                  Thank God she married an unabashed capitalist with no fear of asking for money.
                  You may well be married to a "really" talented artist who is worthy of having her work displayed in a gallery or sold for $$$. It would be interesting if you took some her art to be appraised by an art expert to see if this is the case, regardless of if she ever wanted to act upon it.

                  I think I mentioned before, the ex and I knew a couple where the wife was an art professor at the local community college we both worked for. She did a picture of photo realistic smooth stones, entirely drawn in crayon. It took 50 hours to build up. Fantastic work. She entered it into art competitions. It consistently won first prize. I think she got offered $800.00 for it.

                  Yes, It must at least now be realized that still, in most cases, your wife's family, though having higher than average academia based jobs, still means a fixed income. Selling though, is entirely volatile, but if your good at it, it has unlimited earning potential.
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              • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
                Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

                I'm so sorry Mark. I missed that these are prints you ordered.

                I like your taste. They are beautiful, and tell me something about you. My wife's real dream was to be a high school art teacher. I think she would have made a great teacher.
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                • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
                  Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

                  I'm so sorry Mark. I missed that these are prints you ordered.

                  I like your taste. They are beautiful, and tell me something about you. My wife's real dream was to be a high school art teacher. I think she would have made a great teacher.
                  If it was more normal times she could perhaps offer to teach at The YMCA or somewhere like that. Just for the fun of it. But you would probably have to retire first? Things like that would then be more attractive as a distraction from the endless futility of retirement. Lol (veteran of five months now)

                  My retired ex joined it for something to do, lots of older people go there. My ex was enthusiastically received when she said she was a graphic designer implying she might teach classes in it and photoshop etc. They were really interested. Her quest to get a new man in her life rather overshadowed all of that though. Lol

                  Today I received four of the prints and they are up, plus a load of realistic looking plants, including two floor standing ones, quite a transformation. Quite pleased, but three of the pics were a little bit darker than I thought they would be. So now I need some more light to illuminate everything. It never ends.
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    • Profile picture of the author tnob
      Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

      I remember when we were shopping for a new home, maybe 13 years ago. We saw this house, and I asked Cheryl "Is this nicer than anyone else's home in your family?" She said "Yes", and so it met with my sole criteria.

      The thought never occurred to me that we would immediately become the default "Holiday family get together home".

      Live and learn.
      This little nugget of wisdom did not go unnoticed

      We are actually semi looking for a new home, and the thought of having it be the "default 'Holiday family get together home'" sounds like so much work!

      Made me laugh out loud in my office reading that. Thanks for the lesson!
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by tnob View Post

        This little nugget of wisdom did not go unnoticed

        We are actually semi looking for a new home, and the thought of having it be the "default 'Holiday family get together home'" sounds like so much work!

        Made me laugh out loud in my office reading that. Thanks for the lesson!
        Thanks.

        The truth is, the only people that we invite over are my wife's brothers and sisters. They are all very nice people. And at holidays, it's nice to see them. My wife really enjoys preparing for these get togethers.

        But I really did ask her if this home would be better than her brothers and sisters....

        I was half joking, but half not. Her family is made up of highly educated, mostly academics. One sister actually owned a college in California for many years. The fact that I was a salesman was something they didn't approve of, and saw as a low form of work.

        I remember one sister asking me "When are you going to get a regular job?" I said "I own a company. My employees have jobs".

        My wife would never mention to them how well we are doing, or what we have. Never. And I would never embarrass her by telling her family about my businesses (although I have a brother in law that often asks me about how it all works)....

        But having a home that costs more than theirs, in a nicer neighborhood, is my own silent petty way of bragging.
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        • Profile picture of the author tnob
          The truth is, the only people that we invite over are my wife's brothers and sisters. They are all very nice people. And at holidays, it's nice to see them. My wife really enjoys preparing for these get togethers.

          But I really did ask her if this home would be better than her brothers and sisters....

          I was half joking, but half not. Her family is made up of highly educated, mostly academics. One sister actually owned a college in California for many years. The fact that I was a salesman was something they didn't approve of, and saw as a low form of work.
          For sure, my wife's family are great people, too. When they get together, there are like 50 of them, so I am just imaging having to prepare for and clean up after they all come and go.

          I remember one sister asking me "When are you going to get a regular job?" I said "I own a company. My employees have jobs".
          I bet they were shocked when you got to buy that house! Good for you.
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          • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
            Originally Posted by tnob View Post

            For sure, my wife's family are great people, too. When they get together, there are like 50 of them, so I am just imaging having to prepare for and clean up after they all come and go.



            I bet they were shocked when you got to buy that house! Good for you.
            So, we have at least two wives in America that do the Holiday Home theme. Must be more prevalent than I thought. Lol.
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          • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
            Originally Posted by tnob View Post

            I bet they were shocked when you got to buy that house! Good for you.
            Truthfully, we had to move every few years while her daughter changed schools and then college. And then we moved back to Cheryl's home town to be nearer her brothers, sisters, and parents.

            So we really rented higher end apartments until about 13 years ago, when we decided to buy a home and not move again.

            By then, her siblings knew I was a businessperson who made money. I just wanted the home to absolutely establish...for the rest of our lives, that I was the better provider.

            Again, a petty way to think. But I really did like the home, and so did Cheryl. And it's very close to our retail store.

            The moment they were really shocked was when we were all having dinner at out home...and my wife's brother-in-law (A professor) mentioned that he just got a book published (at a vanity publisher where he actually pays for the printing). And my wife said "Claude has written a few books too".

            And the professor said (a little miffed)..."How many books have you written?"

            I said "Six so far".

            He said "How much did that cost you?"

            I said "Nothing. I get a check every month".

            He said "Where can I see one of them?'

            I said "They are on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and in books stores".


            The truth is, my books are about the worst source of income I have. But for them, hearing that I have books published on Amazon was an impressive feat. So I just let it go, for them to absorb it however they liked.

            And again, petty on my part. But I haven't mentioned business at all for several years.
            I'm the only business person in my family (out to cousins) or my wife's family.

            So, other than joking with my favorite Brother-in-law, I mostly keep quiet when they visit.
            They are mostly wonderful classy people. People I have nothing in common with.
            But I know they love my wife, and so do I. So I enjoy being around them in short bursts.
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  • Profile picture of the author Monetize
    Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

    I moved into a rental two years ago after my divorce, it had all dark wood floors except a brown carpet in the bedroom. About 640 square feet. All I had when moving in was a queen bed and mattress, a two seater sofa and a cheap wood framed lounge chair, an armoire and large chest of drawers and two bedside tables and two cheap tv's and a lamp or two
    I really enjoy reading your comments.

    Years ago, I took an interior decorating course that
    taught furniture placement and accessorizing. I am
    all into the decorating shows and have tons of books
    about decorating by designers like Perla Lichi and
    others. We live in a five bedroom/three bath house
    with a couple of living areas so there is lots of space
    to work with. I like to DIY such projects as painting
    walls and ceilings, laying tiles, rewiring lamps and
    making lamp shades, sewing curtains and pillows,
    and spray painting various objects. I enjoy doing all
    that stuff so much and I always have something to do.
    I collect mirrors, paintings and tapestries and love to
    cover the walls with those.

    Anyway, there is a man named Christopher Lowell,
    he had an interior design show for several years,
    he's on Youtube and has published several books.
    You might want to check him out for ideas you can
    use in your apartment. I think that you could use
    some of his decorating methods and still have a
    minimal interior.
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  • Profile picture of the author tnob
    Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

    Which one are you closest too?
    In my mind I am a minimalist, in reality, I tend to not throw stuff away lol. Most of the things I keep are tools and electronics. I also have some clothes that would be considered antiques.

    Like Mrs. Cheryl Whitacre, my wife will put up something on every level surface including walls. Recently I was having my wife take a full-length body photo for a diet challenge and there wasn't a blank wall to stand against in a 2700sqft house!

    Also like Mrs. Whitacre, my wife changes decorations seasonally. This is typically holiday-related but some holiday decor tends to be seasonal by default. For instance, when she decorates for Fall, she has pumpkins and hay bales. This goes well with Halloween and Thanksgiving.

    Funny/true story, literally this morning, I walked through our dining room and noticed something felt different. I looked at the wall to see 2 screws about 4' apart 7' up the wall. I knew that there had been something there, but for the life of me, I couldn't remember what it was (mind you, it had been there for at least 3 years). I asked my wife what was there, and she just laughed and said "I was wondering how long it would take you to notice". 16 years of marriage and she is used to my ignorance.

    She had taken it down temporarily to put something in its place for a bday party this weekend for our 1-year-old.

    As I mentioned the size of our house, it is crazy how fast it can fill up with junk...especially with kids. We have a 4-year-old and 1 year old and my wife is pregnant with twins . So I can only imagine how much junk we will accumulate over the next few years.

    When my inlaws moved, we had a similar situation to your father's house. In 20 years of living there, they had accumulated 3 moving trucks worth of mostly junk that is never used. Though their house (nor mine) is not cluttered and you can easily get around, it is crazy the number of things! This helped me get better at tossing out stuff that we haven't used in 5 years.

    So, I wish I was a minimalist so that my life at home would be simpler and less cluttered. However, I think I am like you in that I am somewhere in between minimalist and maximalist.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    The pictures Mark ordered got my attention....I have an aversion to aurora borealis. I saw that phenomenon once as a child and thought it was creepy. That impression stuck.
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    • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      The pictures Mark ordered got my attention....I have an aversion to aurora borealis. I saw that phenomenon once as a child and thought it was creepy. That impression stuck.
      I just see it as a beautiful, colorful display of nature. True, it has a ghostly look. Never seen it up close but I found a VR clip that I viewed through my headset. Magnificent.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Jonas Phil VA
    My design philosophy is to just put things that we love and have a good story behind them. So the things on our walls is a hodgepodge of photos, puzzles we have finished and gifts from beloved friends and family. It looks chaotic but I like it. I like being able to relive fun memories whenever I look around the house.
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  • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
    Ok, six pictures up, looking good.

    Going out on a limb, I just splashed out on 6 of these. Don't know if I will use them all, a bit different than normal décor but they don't take up much space.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    a complete renovation of a room or house.

    The thread is about a RENTAL.
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  • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
    Update, I replaced my 2 seater brown fabric (old) couch and a cheap ikea permanent lounger that stuck out, with the cream/ivory leather 3 seater couch and two glass top rustic side tables.. I already posted the links to these.

    It actually gave me more space and really updated the look of the area. so am really pleased. I will set up a webpage to show the before and after pics. Not quite done yet. Some pottery, sculptures is needed

    So, something suffered, the coffee table, two planks of reddish mahogany wood in a dark metal frame, does not fit in anymore. Having a glass top one is now being cried out for. Fits in with the side tables. I really wanted one with a thin medium colored golden wood construction to compliment them, cannot find the right combination. So, below is my best choice so far, the glass top one gives you the impression of more space.

    New coffee table I am ordering: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VY9GYBJ...v_ov_lig_dp_it

    Added: Replaced the 55" bedroom tv with a Samsung 65. It is on a large dresser and instead of two wide feet it has a central pedestal stand. Consequently I was able to push it almost to the wall, which gave the impression of more space. It also gave symmetry as I had the 55" pulled forward and to the right to get a bigger screen view. The 65" means you do not need to do this. Does the 65" overpower the room, surprisingly not. I seriously doubt if my rental company would allow me to wall mount it though, a lot different than a few tiny brass nails to hang pictures.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
      Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

      I seriously doubt if my rental company would allow me to wall mount it though, a lot different than a few tiny brass nails to hang pictures.
      Not if you use the right mount:
      https://www.amazon.com/Echogear-No-Stud-Wall-Mount/dp/B07TKCLL2N?ref_=ast_sto_dp
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      • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
        Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

        Interesting, never seen this before, and thanks for sharing, but that's a lot of bigger than tiny brass nails to bang in. Thinking it through though.. My tv, being on a pedestal looks somewhat as if it is floating in mid air, the pedestal being in shadow. Also the wires coming down will show if on the wall, so that's, mains, amazon firestick and Nvidia Shield, they are in shadow The distance from the wall is about 6.25 inches to the front of the tv, so pretty close anyway.

        If I had my own place I would do all the things required to hide the wires and make it good but with the rental, really, quite pleased with what I achieved.

        Love the Samsung by the way, excellent all rounder.
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        • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
          Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

          Interesting, never seen this before, and thanks for sharing, but that's a lot of bigger than tiny brass nails to bang in. Thinking it through though.. My tv, being on a pedestal looks somewhat as if it is floating in mid air, the pedestal being in shadow. Also the wires coming down will show if on the wall, so that's, mains, amazon firestick and Nvidia Shield, they are in shadow The distance from the wall is about 6.25 inches to the front of the tv, so pretty close anyway.

          If I had my own place I would do all the things required to hide the wires and make it good but with the rental, really, quite pleased with what I achieved.

          Love the Samsung by the way, excellent all rounder.

          You can buy a "race track" for the cables and paint it the same color as your walls (ask the landlord for the paint codes). My buddy did this and you barely notice it.

          I have the mount. The holes are tiny. The nails you use for pictures might be bigger. You also don't have to use every nail. It just depends how heavy the tv is and what your level of trust is.

          With the leftover paint from the track, you could spackle the holes and paint. Might take you a total of a half hour. In maybe an hour, you could patch holes for an in-wall cable run and paint.

          If you plan on staying there until your eventual demise, who cares? You won't miss your deposit.

          That said, if you're cool with the stand, so be it.
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          Raising a child is akin to knowing you're getting fired in 18 years and having to train your replacement without actively sabotaging them.

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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

        Not if you use the right mount:
        Honestly, has that line ever worked for you?
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        What if they're not stars? What if they are holes poked in the top of a container so we can breath?
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        • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
          Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

          Honestly, has that line ever worked for you?
          I expect it has: "A Mountie always get's his Man"
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  • Profile picture of the author Princess Balestra
    Las' time I seen such sage advice 'bout nails, bangin' stuff an' perfect mounts was in Art Dangler Weekly magazine.

    Hey, but it has always concerned me how plenty crowd control strategies through the ages have depended on sacrificin' equine types.

    Way I see it, if'n you ridin' high in the saddle, you gotta watch out real sweet for what is gowin' on down below, else'n this ain't no smoochie, more kinda dom.

    Gotta figure them horses wanna ride free, same as evrywan.

    Gallopin' ovah the terrain like there ain't no tamara.

    I would wish for that very much, trooly.

    Those are my reflections on Mounties an' animal servants an' art rn.

    Prolly I could say more -- but FFS it is a Toosday.
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  • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
    My renovations are complete. for the side tables, The purchase of two lamps, some vases and a set of 7 Tibetan singing bowls to put under a new glass top table completed the look. As to the table, the first one arrived with the top frame that holds the glass being seriously bent in at one end. I contacted the company that made it (rather than Amazon) who had a reputation for swift turnaround. They sent out an entirely new table out, not wanting the other one back.

    The new ones frame was perfect and now my table is complete. In the meantime I hammered out the old frame with a lot of cushioning and aside from a small dent and a little cosmetic damage, I now have a second table.

    I will set up a before and after mini site.
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    • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
      Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

      My renovations are complete. for the side tables, The purchase of two lamps, some vases and a set of 7 Tibetan singing bowls to put under a new glass top table completed the look. As to the table, the first one arrived with the top frame that holds the glass being seriously bent in at one end. I contacted the company that made it (rather than Amazon) who had a reputation for swift turnaround. They sent out an entirely new table out, not wanting the other one back.

      The new ones frame was perfect and now my table is complete. In the meantime I hammered out the old frame with a lot of cushioning and aside from a small dent and a little cosmetic damage, I now have a second table.

      I will set up a before and after mini site.
      Ha: The Friday previously I get a notification that there was a package in a coded locker for me to pick up. I had to get it out of the locker before end of Monday. Not having anything outstanding in my orders I think it's just the wrong address thing put into the wrong locker, happened recently.

      So, seeing I was having a visit with a friend on Monday, left it till then. Well, opened the locker and a really heavy box inside with Godiva Chocolates plastered on the outside, addressed to me. My friend suggested we go back and put them in my fridge since had been in the locker for several days. Opened the box, two melted ice bags now just water and a tiny box of Godiva Chocs, in bubble wrap. Put it in the fridge and left for the day, speculating from whence it came, a secret admirer perhaps? When I returned, there was a card. From the guy I emailed about my glass top table arriving with a bent frame, now replaced. Just something to sweeten your day it read, nice touch, but no secret admirer. Four chocs in a little box.
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  • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
    More Furniture price differences between Amazon and Wayfair.

    This is on Computer Tables. Check this one out. First the Wayfair ad and price ($247.99):

    https://www.wayfair.com/meeting-coll...7710.html?st=1

    And here is exactly the same table on Amazon ($69.99):

    https://www.amazon.com/SDHYL-Compute...NrPXRydWU&th=1

    Tell me what the difference is?, of course, exactly the same table.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    A favorite new favorite thing of mind is a Woozoo 5 speed globe fan with remote. This little cutie is quiet, powerful and can oscillate left/right/up/down. I love it because it has a 'breeze' setting and you really feel like you are sitting outside in a natural breeze.


    Can find that top model from $35 a Costco (they ran out) to $60 on some sites.



    We also bought a large standing misting fan - I didn't know they MADE something like this - made our outdoor parties over the July 4 holiday comfortable. What a great invention...and it's probably not even new ..except to me.


    I think perhaps these pricing policies are nothing new - but until the internet made comparison shopping so simple, we didn't know how much prices varied.
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    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog.
    ***
    There are only two things that spook a horse...
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