Episode #223: Shopping for Furnishings for Your House – Deep Dive

Now we have gotten tons of questions relating to shopping for furnishings for your own home, like how are you aware what is going to work greatest in your room or what materials are essentially the most sturdy. So right now, we’re deep diving into all issues shopping for furnishings.

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Present Notes:

Nova’s Lady Scout Cookies

Take a look at the wallpaper that Emma utilized in her children’ bedrooms Oscar’s room/Nursery

Methods to know what furnishings will look greatest in a room

Make a temper board

Choose colour scheme

Select 1-2 wooden finishes

Pick your metals (we suggest 1-2)

Set a funds

Go along with the model of when your own home was constructed

Get your associate or roommates opinion

Measure the whole lot

Use painter’s tape to make out how large your furnishings or rug is

Make a mannequin of furnishings out of cardboard bins

The place do you purchase most of your furnishings

Emma’s handmade picket desk – My good friend is engaged on their web site launch now. I’ll need to share it as soon as it’s stay as his work is so top quality and I really like my desk.

Right here’s Elsie’s rugs from Etsy (the corporate is The Rug Decor and they’re not on Etsy).

Ideas for customizing your furnishings

Take a look at our weblog put up on The Greatest Paint for Kitchen Cupboards

Spray paint

Make your personal eating room desk

Throw pillows and throw blankets are your greatest good friend

Use a slipcover

Take a look at our weblog put up about Elsie’s Painted Sofa

Favourite materials from couch and couches

Leather-based (that is similar to Elsie’s couch)

Velvet

Your favourite piece of furnishings that you simply personal

Emma – Piano they received from her husband’s mother and father

Elsie – Swan hearth, lounge hearth, Rosemary’s child hearth, kitchen island, and hanging wicker chair

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Episode 223 Transcript:

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Emma: You’re listening to the Stunning Mess Podcast, your cozy consolation hear, and we’ve gotten tons of questions relating to shopping for furnishings for your own home. Like, how are you aware what is going to work greatest in your room? What materials are essentially the most sturdy? So right now, we’re deep-diving into all issues shopping for furnishings.

Elsie: So earlier than we leap in, let’s speak about your new child room. 

Emma: Yeah. So we’re lastly attempting to type of set it up, largely. Possibly not everybody feels this manner, however first child, it’s like, you don’t have any children. So you might have all this time and also you’re excited. I used to be so excited to be a mother. So the whole lot was all the way in which arrange, able to go earlier than he was ever born. This child, I believe it’s going to be 70 p.c arrange earlier than he arrives. And I believe that’s fairly good. That’s my aim. So, you already know, like, his crib in all probability received’t be in there, however he received’t even sleep in his crib for the primary, you already know, 4, 5, six months, anyway, he sleeps in our room. 

Elsie: I believe it’s completely nice in the event you put some stuff in there to make it particular, and you’ll take, like, one little image to your child guide, I believe that’s all it’s good to do. Take away the stress. 

Emma: We simply wish to get a lot of the bins out and stuff. However one large factor in my world is we’re doing a wallpaper accent wall in his nursery, which is presently a visitor bed room.

Elsie: What sort of wallpaper?

Emma: It’s Spoonflower and it’s type of like, so your own home may be very historic. My home is much more minimal, a bit bit of recent, after which a bit bit eclectic as a result of we simply have Trey’s previous household piano and it’s, you already know, type of an vintage. You already know, it’s a bit eclectic, but when I needed to sum it up, I’d say it’s minimal and trendy. Just a little little bit of this century, a bit little bit of this, a bit little bit of that. So anyway, the wallpaper I’ve picked is, to me, it type of vibes like trendy So, it’s largely blue, however then it has these little orange circles, it nearly seems to be, one thing about it makes me consider, you already know these badminton balls? It type of seems to be like a tennis ball with feathers on it. It doesn’t even have that, like, image in it or something, but it surely type of vibes like that to me. After which I felt like we have been placing an accent wall within the nursery. And I’d simply all the time wish to put an accent wall in Oscar’s room. He presently doesn’t have any wallpaper. We simply type of arrange the whole lot that we had after we moved. And I’ve put up artwork like I really feel like his room feels good, but it surely doesn’t have any wallpaper. So I assumed we’d do an accent wall in his room too on the similar time, partly as a result of then it simply is extra value it for our wallpaper hanger to return to my home. But additionally I simply didn’t need Oscar to really feel like his brother’s getting all this new stuff, and he will get nothing. I don’t know if he’d even discover, however, you already know, I simply need him to really feel like we’re doing a bit factor in your room, too. 

Elsie: I undoubtedly don’t assume he would discover. However I do assume it’s good to batch, like, wallpaper set up and, like, residence duties. That is sensible utterly. Like, why not, you already know? 

Emma: So he’s, like, blue hand-painted checkers, is what it seems to be like. So it’s type of trendy, too, in a approach, and type of minimal for wallpaper. So anyway, they’re each blue. They’re completely different colours blue. And I believe they’re gonna look actually cute. I’m actually enthusiastic about them. 

Elsie: Would you place them within the present notes to indicate everybody? 

Emma: Yeah. I believe I put them in a ten Issues Sunday perhaps a couple of weeks in the past, however I’ll hyperlink them once more so you possibly can see them. Cool. 

Elsie: Yeah. I’m excited to see that sounds actually cute. 

Emma: They’re cute. I believe Oscar’s going to essentially like his and I’m positive our different child will like his vagina. He’ll be a child. So that they’ll like it. 

Elsie: I imply, my expertise of it was that perhaps just like the child rooms are a bit bit extra for you as a result of like after they grow old, like our youngsters are enthusiastic about their rooms now, however I don’t know that they in all probability even bear in mind their child rooms, assume there’s something like a very good nesting expertise about it of identical to setting it up and occupied with it and getting books and a few plushies and identical to the little, you already know, it’s, it’s particular. 

Emma: Yeah. And also you spend quite a lot of time in there, particularly that first yr, you already know, identical to nursing and getting them down for naps and this and that. And so it feels good in there. It doesn’t need to be like excellent or no matter, however simply. It’s not feeling prefer it’s all cardboard bins that I nonetheless have to arrange. It’s not all undone chores to me; that makes me really feel much more settled. So yeah we’re entering into that course. 

Elsie: Okay. So this episode is all about shopping for furnishings to your residence. So we’re going to kind of like educate you find out how to do it in the event you’re transferring into your first residence, your first condominium. Or you’re in a state of affairs like I’ve been in a couple of instances the place you wish to like utterly change, you already know, you’re like, I believe I’m going to promote the whole lot after which identical to change to a special model or like I’m transferring to a home that’s a totally completely different model or one thing like that. Yeah, simply final yr we did that the place we furnished our present residence, we had bought our earlier residence furnished, so we didn’t actually deliver nearly something. We introduced, like, a couple of, a couple of small items, however nearly all of the furnishings stayed, which was type of enjoyable, however I needed to, like, purchase the whole lot fairly rapidly. So that is fairly recent on my thoughts, and I believe this can be enjoyable to speak about, as a result of I’ve a ardour for, like, flea markets and classic items and all of that. I believe it’s nice and we’ll, like, undoubtedly go into that intimately. However you possibly can’t purchase the whole lot from a retailer like that. You do need to order, not less than I did, to simply, like, make it an inexpensive, purposeful residence as rapidly as attainable for our younger kids and our personal sanity I wished to do it rapidly. We are able to speak about each, which is thrilling. 

Emma: So, the primary query now we have is, how are you aware what furnishings will look greatest in a room?

Elsie: Okay, so, when you find yourself making ready to maneuver into a brand new residence or making ready to rework a house, step one, I believe, is all the time to make a temper board. A temper board is so important, that it’s life-changing. I don’t assume you must ever begin simply, like, spending a whole bunch or 1000’s of {dollars} on furnishings with no temper board. It’s simply value it. So it may be so simple as simply making a folder in your pc and simply pulling photos from Pinterest or a pin board, and it may be as difficult as making a fantastic temper board in Canva or Photoshop for each single room. No matter degree you wish to be at, the factor that I like to do is to do a colour scheme for each home. A temper board is one factor, after which the colour scheme is extra just like the paint colours, I believe, however you already know, it additionally finally ends up tying into furnishings. And I believe it’s good to have one or two wooden finishes that you simply’re specializing in. So that you’re not identical to going in every single place. Such as you’re, you already know, you, you already know what your go-to wooden finishes are. It makes it simpler to select. Like, I believe within the colour scheme, you might additionally put your go-to metals as a result of I believe it’s good to have, you don’t need to have only one, like, you don’t need to be, like, all gold the whole lot, like, you get resolution fatigue normally, and I believe, like, in the event you simply begin simply, like, ordering the very first thing that pops up if you begin looking, that won’t be good, so having, like, go to, like, I wish to do largely black {hardware}, I wish to do largely darkish bronze, is nice to have.

Emma: I may also say I believe the temper board is an effective way in the event you’re going to be working with others, so like in case you are in a spot the place you’re going to be working with an inside designer, giving them the temper board you’ve put collectively after which they’ll do their factor from there’s nice. But additionally, usually, this can be a nice time to get roommates or companions, and spouses on board present them the temper board, and see if they’ve any robust reactions to any of the metals, wooden grains, or colours that you simply’ve picked, as a result of when you type of get on the identical web page with these basic large image issues, the colours, the wooden grains, the metals, the model total, you already know, is it historic? Is it mid-century trendy? Is it minimal? Then it’s going to be quite a bit simpler to make quite a lot of small choices and never really feel such as you essentially need to contain them each single time with out feeling like they’re going to perhaps hate one thing as a result of it’s going to suit into the general factor that you simply’ve each, you already know, agreed to and like, and have seen.

Elsie: I believe that’s actually good recommendation. I believe that having your temper board prepared is basically good as a result of anytime that we’ve modified types, I really feel like I needed to kind of current it to my husband in a approach that he may absorb he couldn’t actually simply have a look at like an image of like a dresser or a mattress body and have an opinion He wants to take a look at like a styled image from Pinterest of another person’s room. Yeah, so I believe presenting it in a approach that in case your associate is just not choosy, however I do know quite a lot of companions are. It’s one thing we get, like, tons of emails about, so I’d simply advise to, like, present it in context as an alternative of attempting to elucidate it, as a result of they may have, like, some type of intestine response or have one thing of their thoughts that isn’t in step with what actually what you’re attempting to do. Simply present them an attractive-looking image of a room and that, I believe is the simplest option to kind of like persuade somebody, if it’s good to persuade, that they’ll wish to belief this new model or this new imaginative and prescient or it’s not going to be like You already know, I believe after we first began doing historic, my husband was like a bit afraid it was going to be like each grandma, which it’s. 

Emma: It’s cool grandma.

Elsie: It’s cool. And I don’t assume it’s grandma in a nasty approach, however like after we have been strolling by the flea market and I’d simply level to issues that scared him, proper? However then as soon as he began seeing it in a tie-in, you already know, like now that he’s seen the rooms and earlier than that when he was seeing like photos of, you already know, like trendy rooms that felt pulled collectively and attention-grabbing and element and just like the model we have been attempting to do. The context is tremendous vital. 

Emma: Yeah, it undoubtedly is. I imply, it’s like in the event you see a pair of footwear that you simply’re like, Oh, these are ugly. And then you definately see your very trendy good friend who’s put collectively this attention-grabbing outfit carrying the footwear and impulsively you’re like, Oh, these are actually attention-grabbing, cool footwear. And it’s like, properly, yeah, trigger now you’re seeing them styled within the area. You already know what I imply? So it’s type of that type of factor. I’ll additionally say in the event you’re the kind of one that has a tough time narrowing down. You’re like, I like all types. I like all colours. One, it’s cool to have a rainbow home. That’s cool. But additionally, I believe an effective way to slim that down. If you happen to’re like, I really like the whole lot let your own home inform you how previous she is. So if in case you have an previous home, a historic home, you already know, lean into that if in case you have a brand new construct that’s extraordinarily trendy lean into that like, you already know If you happen to’re a type of one that likes plenty of various things and you’ve got a tough time narrowing it down, simply let your own home communicate to you with what it already is as a result of then you definately’re not going to be swimming in opposition to the present You’re gonna be going with the movement of what’s already the home is attempting to do.

Elsie: Yeah, I agree with that. 

Emma: I used to be gonna say, we have to speak about measuring. 

Elsie: Measuring and scale. It’s wildly completely different. Like, I’ve lived in, I don’t know, like 4 or 5 properties. And the size in each single one was wildly completely different. And the most important locations the place I believe you possibly can go improper with scale are curtains.

Like, small dinky curtains are like, they may smash the entire room. 

Emma: We have been in an Airbnb over the weekend with some buddies, and we have been going nuts for the curtains in the home as a result of they have been all too small for each single window. They have been simply dinky and peculiar. It was like, and minimize bizarre. And so they didn’t even cowl them and it made the areas look approach cheaper, like simply low cost, as a result of they weren’t the appropriate dimension curtains. 

Elsie: Curtains are actually, actually vital. The second factor is rugs. Like, in the event you can not afford a rug that’s the proper dimension, you need to choose a special rug. And I get it, I get it, I’ve been there. However yeah, like, a rug that’s too small type of will mess up the entire design, and regardless that I think about myself like actually skilled and an expert, I nonetheless mess up on it generally it’s actually onerous to not mess up on rug sizes. So I believe you do need to be prepared to make returns and, you already know. And I misplaced this from time to time. 

Emma: I’ll say your greatest good friend generally is a painter’s tape. So use painter’s tape to mark out how large one thing can be on a ground. So like furnishings or a rug or something like that, you should use painter’s tape to simply mark it out on the ground. It’s not going to smash something. It actually is meant to return off of surfaces. That’s the entire level of the painter’s tape. And you are able to do this like for issues that how tall is it going to be in opposition to this wall? You are able to do it for issues like that. There are occasions this you already know, you nearly want one thing 3D, and I’ve had buddies, they may actually construct 3D variations of issues they’re occupied with shopping for out of cardboard. And I do know that sounds wacky, however in the event you’re about to spend a pair thousand {dollars} and also you received’t be capable to return it, perhaps the return coverage is simply dicey. I don’t assume it’s a nasty thought to save lots of all of your Amazon bins and construct your self a bit mannequin to ensure that it seems to be proper in your area.

Elsie: Not directly, you need to make a mannequin. Plenty of instances with rugs, you may really feel prefer it’s going to look too large, however I believe for many rooms, the most important rug that matches is the appropriate dimension rug, particularly and dwelling rooms. I don’t know, if you stroll right into a room, like, you’ll see it now in the event you haven’t ever, however like, a rug that solely goes underneath a espresso desk is kind of just like the saddest attainable rug. Anyway, I believe getting these sizes proper is so vital. The most important curtains you possibly can match on the wall all the way in which as much as the ceiling, all the way in which right down to the ground, the most important rugs you possibly can match within the room. After which for furnishings, getting the size proper on furnishings is basically tough. I believe simply do the tape. As a result of particularly if it’s like a aspect desk or a eating room desk, just like the tape it’s so value it. 

Emma: Does this eating desk really feel too large? Do I really feel like I can transfer my chairs again? Do I really feel, you already know, or does it really feel too dinky? Does it really feel just like the room’s going to echo? Like simply, you already know, tape it out and see what you assume.

Elsie: And there are methods you could conceal scale issues. Now we have actually, actually unhealthy scale issues in our present lounge as a result of the hearth is large and it must be, and the room is definitely not that large. And the couch that’s there’s a regular dimension. It’s not even a sectional, prefer it’s actually, the size’s loopy. And the way I disguised it was by portray the hearth the identical colour because the partitions after which impulsively it disappeared a bit bit and also you don’t give it some thought as like its personal piece anymore. It’s built-in so I believe that’s one factor you are able to do you possibly can paint issues the identical colour to assist them disappear and I believe scale additionally comes into play with lighting fixtures, so in the event you begin paying consideration, you’ll see it completely in every single place you go. It should, like, really smash your life. However, like, in each restaurant, in each residence, in each Airbnb you’ll ever keep in, it’s like, you need to put the appropriate dimension of sunshine fixtures, you already know, above a desk. Yeah. I believe particularly above the tables is just like the worst offender after they’re tremendous tiny or after they’re too large. I’ve had that earlier than too, the place I’m identical to so hooked up. 

Emma: Nicely, I assumed I had a grand area and it seems I had a medium grand area. 

Elsie: Measuring is your greatest good friend. The underside line is, to measure the whole lot. Okay. The place do you purchase most of your furnishings, Emma?

Emma: So at this level, quite a lot of stuff I’ve owned for a very long time, so I wished to say a few manufacturers that for me have like been items that we’ve excessive site visitors they usually’ve held up properly. So now we have a sectional and a sofa, leather-based article, it’s like a tan article sofa. And so they’ve really been in a number of areas they usually’ve labored rather well. Proper now they’re in our upstairs lounge. It’s like an extended lounge, so it type of has two sections to it. The again half seems like its personal little area and the entrance half seems like its personal little area. So the sofa is definitely again up in opposition to one another with a bit desk in between them to type of separate. I’m not an enormous Leather-based particular person. I’m not in opposition to it or something. It’s simply not one thing I are likely to gravitate in direction of, however I’ll say these have gotten stains, you already know, I’ve children I’ve canines. I’ve myself who’s additionally messy, by the way in which, And so they look nice and I really feel like each little imperfection has made them look higher over time. They don’t look new anymore, however they give the impression of being worn in a pleasant approach. So I actually like them I believe that that colour leather-based simply labored for our area and appears very nice. The opposite factor now we have that I’ve had for a very long time that I really like is my Joybird sectional, which is in our downstairs lounge. Aren’t we fancy? Now we have two dwelling rooms. It’s type of simply an open area, however It’s extra like your TV lounge. It’s our TV lounge. Now we have our projector display screen in there. The colour is known as Taylor Felt Gray, and it’s a woven materials that type of has speckles in it. Like if you have a look at it, it reads grey, however if you have a look at it up shut, it type of has speckles and I believe that works nice in case you are the type of one that eats in your sofa, which I do, and I additionally let our toddler. And so it, it has little, you already know, marks from ketchup and no matter else. So it’s held up nice. And I nonetheless really feel prefer it seems to be actually, actually, actually good. And I’m actually proud of it. However each of these manufacturers, I’ve observed, Article of Joybird, their items are usually fairly large, which fills out an area for me as a result of I’m the kind of particular person, I don’t do like tons and tons of small furnishings, I do like one large piece after which like a small espresso desk or no matter. That’s only for me a greater match, like, you already know, once more, I’m type of extra minimal, so I’m like one large piece after which issues construct round it type of factor. In order that, after which I’ll additionally say, particularly with our Joybird sectional, which is the woven materials, I believe it’s value it to purchase your self a pleasant sofa that you simply’re enthusiastic about after which get it cleaned periodically. So the place we use the place I stay in Springfield, Missouri is known as Missouri Rug. So it sounds prefer it’s about rugs, however they may also clear rugs or furnishings. And so they actually ship males to your own home they usually take your furnishings away. I don’t know precisely the whole lot they do, they shampoo it. I don’t know. However they clear it, and when it comes again, I’ve been shocked how, like, clear it will get. I’ll say, you need to have three or 4 days the place you don’t have your sofa. So it’s good to plan, sofa chairs are like, don’t plan to host a giant get together proper then. Like, it’s good to be strategic about doing one thing like that. However I believe it’s actually value it to purchase good items after which have them cleaned periodically. Identical factor with rugs. If you happen to purchase a very nice rug, and also you’re like, Oh, but it surely’s going to get ruined. Have it cleaned every so often. Now they’re not miracle staff. Sure stains usually are not going to return out. They aren’t like God. However a top quality cleansing place, you’d be shocked what they’re capable of do with sure materials. 

Elsie: That’s an important tip. I’ve by no means completed that earlier than. It appears like it could be actually value it. 

Emma: I’ve had the sectional cleaned each time we transfer as a result of it’s such as you may as properly, you’re already going to pay a mover to maneuver it. So that you simply pay them to take it out of your own home, put it within the new home, and within the meantime clear it. After which there was one different time that I used to be identical to, it’s getting a bit grody and I simply had them come and take it and truthfully, I’ll in all probability do it once more. I’m pondering earlier than our son’s born, our second son, I’m going to get that cleaned once more, simply because, as I stated, we eat dinner on our sofa quite a bit. I let our toddler eat dinner on the sofa quite a bit and it’s simply received quite a lot of rooster finger crumbs and ketchup stains. And I believe that they’re all going to return out and also you type of don’t even see them with the material. So anyway, I really feel like I’m promoting this sofa to you. I’m not attempting to. I’m simply attempting to present you concepts of, like, in the event you stay in your house, which I do, then you definately wish to have stuff that’s, like, gonna final and nonetheless look Despite the fact that you reside there and also you make messes and you’ve got canines or cats otherwise you, you already know, no matter. 

Elsie: Do you might have some other go-to locations that you simply like to buy furnishings? 

Emma: I do store quite a bit on Amazon and Wayfair, particularly to fill issues out till I can get one thing good. One piece that I really like in my residence, although, is that this, like, handmade picket desk. I’ll put a hyperlink within the present notes if they’ve their store stay, but it surely was a good friend of mine who was stepping into woodworking, and I believe they’re launching their store quickly. And it’s very nice to have the ability to purchase, like, one thing handmade from somebody. And I’ve had it now for years, and I like it. And it’s simply actually sturdy, very nice, stable wooden. So I do love getting items like that. I really feel like for me, that simply type of pops up from time to time the place you’re like, Oh, I see this artisan on the town. And you already know, as a result of it’s tough to do delivery for big items. So it’s type of good, I’ll have one thing low cost as a result of it’s like I wanted a desk. I’ve to work someplace. After which a couple of years later, somebody can be doing one thing cool like that. After which I’ll simply purchase it and change my low cost desk, you already know, give it away or promote it with one thing good. After which I’ve a pleasant one without end. 

Elsie: Cool. Yeah, no, that is sensible. Okay. So for our Historic residence, we purchased all of our furnishings final yr, so I’ve a extremely good reminiscence of this. Yeah. Okay, so I attempted to purchase the whole lot I may from flea markets. I purchased a bit bit from Fb Market. I really like Fb Market, however I really feel prefer it must be actually particular for me to undergo the social gruel of like you already know?

Emma: Please don’t homicide me. I’m coming to get my piece. 

Elsie: I wouldn’t purchase identical to an on a regular basis factor on there, however we received, you already know, like our hearth face that has the carved swans. After which I believe a few different issues, I believe some outside chairs. And I believe that if you discover one thing really particular, it’s like actually cool to get it from somebody. After which they’ve like a narrative they normally inform you and issues like that. However yeah, now we have this superb vintage mall referred to as Relics Vintage Mall in Springfield. It’s truthfully in all probability one of the best vintage mall I’ve ever been to in my life, so it’s one of many issues about our small city that makes me like, it’s like my anthropology.

Emma: If buddies go to. We’re like, do you wish to go to Relics? 

Elsie: Yeah, now we have these two superb vintage malls. After which there are some actually good thrifts too. So I attempted to purchase as a lot as I may from there. And I did do two trailer hundreds with my father-in-law. After which I had movers go choose up stuff for me, I believe twice. In order that’s like quite a bit. The factor I’ll say about shopping for furnishings from flea markets is that even when the value looks like quite a bit within the flea market, it’s nonetheless normally like a Wayfair value. Like, it’s nonetheless normally not really costly. It simply appears costly for one thing used. However what you’re getting is one thing tremendous top quality that the stuff I received was like 100 years previous. And a few of it’s actually magical and like, simply, you can’t discover new items. I’ve received a couple of new items that look vintage they usually’re tremendous costly. You can not discover model new items for these costs for this high quality. So yeah, I’m large about flea markets. I perceive it’s not for everybody. I completely get it. Like, I’ve heard the entire thing, however I believe that in the event you’re on a funds and otherwise you wish to do historic residence decor, it may’t be beat. Clearly, it relies on the place you reside within the nation. Okay, so my go-to’s for brand new furnishings. I believe that is going to be stunning. Okay, so my primary, like, fancy go-to is Serena and Lily. In our earlier residence, the McMansion, we did type of quite a lot of furnishings from Serena and Lily. It matches rather well with the model. It’s a bit extra beachy. I believe folks would name it coastal or one thing like that. I really like their chairs particularly. They’ve a fairly large selection. They’ve actually good gross sales. And the standard is a ten out of 10. The opposite place that I store essentially the most is Wayfair. And like, you actually simply stated, till I should purchase one thing good. 

Emma: Wayfair does have good issues too. I ought to say that. I have a tendency to purchase like, one thing cheaper, however they do have very nice issues too. So I don’t wish to make it sound like there’s nothing good on Wayfair as a result of that’s not true. 

Elsie: They’ve the status of being just about the identical as Amazon, which to be honest, on Amazon you may as well discover issues, it’s simply quite a lot of looking. Like you’ll not discover high-quality furnishings on the primary web page, however you will discover it will definitely, because it occurs. Okay, so Wayfair, I believe I received used to buying there as a result of we was sponsored by them and I did a few Airbnbs that have been largely from there. So I simply received like expertise with the web site and I believe you do need to get used to the web site and like. Any web site that’s that giant, you need to like, learn to wish to get your excellent search phrases and, you already know, we in all probability are coaching it to present you issues you desire to. Yeah. So nearly all of the furnishings in my home, that’s not an vintage is from Wayfair. I used to love, love buying in Anthropologie, however oh my god, I had the expertise from hell final yr. So I don’t know if I’d ever once more like to purchase furnishings. Oh yeah, you probably did have a nasty, it was like from hell. It was not good, however I additionally assume just like the model, like I really like anthropology for the whole lot else in addition to furnishings, however like really our little pink chairs are from there. So, you already know, no matter I can eat my phrases. 

Emma: I like Ikea. And I believe in the event you’re planning some type of hack, now we have quite a few actually good hacks on our web site DIY is the place you purchase bookshelves and also you make them appear to be built-ins, issues like that. I believe it’s a pleasant web site, however I’ve had some unhealthy instances with it too, so I’m all the time type of like 50/50 on Ikea. It relies on what you wish to do. 

Elsie: I believe in the event you’re gonna customise it, go for it. I’ve had personally actually good experiences with the issues I purchased from there, and I believe it additionally will get like a nasty rep. I believe folks assume it’s all gonna crumble, and that wasn’t my expertise in any respect. I assumed it was completely nice, however I believe if you need it to be, like, distinctive and authentic and customized wanting, then you definately clearly need to, like, do one thing to it, paint it, trim it out, no matter. However yeah, I really feel prefer it’s type of bizarre, like, I don’t have, like, a particular, particular, like, I assumed I’d have extra furnishings locations that have been, like, Attention-grabbing. However I actually don’t. It’s actually like largely flea markets after which the identical few shops. 

Emma: I believe that makes it the place it’s attention-grabbing, but it surely’s like a type of issues the place it’s like I can’t hyperlink the place, you already know, everyone loves this sure factor in your own home and also you’re like, Oh, I can’t hyperlink it. I purchased it at a flea market or I received it in a state sale, you already know, however that’s type of what makes it attention-grabbing. I’ll say too, like, in my home, quite a lot of my rugs, not all of them, however quite a bit are both from Rugs USA or eBay. I get quite a lot of eBay stuff. 

Elsie: We should always do a rugs episode, however yeah, like, actual quick, I’ve essentially the most unimaginable rugs from Etsy. I’ll hyperlink them within the present notes. And likewise, I purchase quite a lot of rugs from Rifle Paper. Like, which is so random. It’s fairly random, however they’ve nice gross sales they usually have superb rugs that match into historic areas, at actually reasonably priced costs. And so they have these ones which might be like, they’re referred to as printed rugs the place it’s like, they’re completely flat. They’re actually good for pet-friendly areas and high-traffic areas. And so they’re actually reasonably priced they usually identical to look good. I’m very enthusiastic about rugs. I believe that I’m a bit bit extra cautious about which of them I purchase, as a result of if you’ve had like a nasty pet expertise or like, you already know what I imply? I’m very cautious now. So the opposite factor I search for is pure fibers. So something that’s just like the classic rugs on Etsy and eBay can’t be beat so far as like skill to scrub them. I would love to not purchase a brand new rug that, you already know, there’s sure manufacturers that like have new rugs that look classic and like they’ve them at Goal and different locations like that. To me, like don’t purchase a type of as a result of you possibly can’t clear them they usually’re fabricated from artificial supplies they usually identical to flip unhealthy so quick in comparison with like these classic rugs which have been there for 100 years. And quite a lot of instances the value is cheaper. I believe it’s simply scary to purchase them. And to be honest I did have one actually, actually unhealthy Etsy expertise, so I don’t know, like, it may occur. 

Emma: I imply, eBay is similar approach. It’s completely different sellers, so you possibly can have a nasty expertise or like, it’s very completely different from the picture. 

Elsie: Total, I’d say it’s well worth the threat. My favourite rug that I’m going to hyperlink within the present notes, it’s in my lounge and it’s additionally a stair runner on our stairs going as much as the third ground. And it’s like, you possibly can order it in any dimension. So it’s wool. It’s a pure fiber. It’s straightforward to scrub. It doesn’t shed. You may order it in any dimension. There’s actually no draw back. It’s like you possibly can customise it and it seems to be classic. So, rug rant. I imply, significantly, sometime we’ll do a rug episode as a result of it’s so enjoyable. Let’s speak about ideas for portray and customizing furnishings. I bear in mind after we purchased our first residence, identical to doing the down fee kind of like clearing out all of our financial savings. I believe that that’s very regular. We have been in our twenties, you already know, and it was our first residence. So then, you already know, you’re left with this bigger, largely empty residence that it’s good to furnish. So I believe it’s an important alternative to get artistic and thrift and in addition make use of issues you have already got and attempt to mainly paint the whole lot and it really works. It actually, actually works. To start with, in the event you’re going to color furnishings, now we have the last word weblog put up. It’s referred to as the Greatest Paint for Kitchen Cupboards. And I’ve used this tutorial over and over. Clearly, in the event you’re going to color kitchen cupboards, please use it. Don’t ever, ever, ever paint your kitchen cupboards with out sanding and priming them, and don’t use common wall paint. It’s just like the saddest factor I ever did in my life and I did do that after.

It’s really not that rather more work, it’s simply getting the proper provides and doing it, it’s a bit bit extra work, but it surely’s so value it. I’ve used it a bunch of instances. I’ve painted our toilet cupboards, after which I additionally use it each time I paint furnishings, particularly chairs. And excessive site visitors furnishings, like chairs and tables, these, it’s good to do that as a result of there’s an enormous distinction between onerous drying paint and portray a bit of furnishings with wall paint, which may get, like, cheesy, it normally peels off, and in the event you like that e, however you in all probability received’t.

Emma: I believe there’s a distinction between like, I wished this to look extra shabby stylish cottagecore versus, oh no I didn’t and it’s simply peeling now, you already know, like these are two actually various things. To me, portray the appropriate approach, quote-unquote is type of like baking. It’s like, you actually ought to do it proper, as a result of in any other case your finish result’s simply not going to be pretty much as good, and you place in a lot of the effort. So in the event you simply try this further little bit, that’s like, all the way in which, do it, then it seems the way in which that you simply’re wanting. So it’s value it. It’s actually, actually value it. And it’s perhaps a bit bit extra effort, but it surely’s actually value it. Or a bit bit extra money to purchase the appropriate provide or no matter, however you simply don’t wish to get to the tip of your undertaking and it’s like, I did put in quite a lot of work, but it surely’s not fairly what I wished. You already know, the paint’s peeling, or in baking, you’re like, oh, these cookies didn’t rise, they unfold like loopy. And it’s like, properly, in the event you had simply softened the butter or simply chilled it for the half-hour that it stated, then, you already know, it’s like that type of factor. The place it’s like, sure, it’s a bit extra effort, but it surely’s in all probability value it.

Elsie: A life full of regrets, yeah. The opposite factor I like to do is spray paint. And I believe there is sort of a good case, like spray paint may be good. It’s actually quick. And I do assume you need to be a bit little bit of a perfectionist to get prefer it excellent. I’ve some points with that, however I really like the Rust-Oleum model spray paint. That’s what I normally use. And I believe one of the best place for it’s, so now we have a giant porch and we purchased porch furnishings and we purchased half of it from locations like Wayfair the place it got here like brilliant, shiny, new wanting actually white. After which we purchased half of it from Market, the place it appeared, like, comparatively, if you sat them subsequent to one another, like, actually grey, and type of, like, crappy?

Yeah, I simply used, like, the white Rust-Oleum spray paint, and it was essentially the most satisfying one-day undertaking. 

Emma: Is that this like, wicker furnishings? Yeah! Or like, okay. 

Elsie: Yeah, wicker. And like, the whole lot seems to be the identical now. And so they’re sitting proper subsequent to one another, you don’t actually like, discover a distinction. So I believe for stuff like that, outside furnishings, small items, low site visitors items, like a desk or chairs, I’d nonetheless do it the opposite approach. One other good factor to spray paint is like, metals, issues that like, you’re not the end of them. So quite a lot of instances once I purchase a lightweight fixture that’s alleged to be gold, it’s like not the gold I used to be anticipating. This is quite common, however I’ve type of discovered that it’s like, it’s value it and actually not that arduous to simply, spray paint it. If I simply desire a completely different end. 

Emma: It nearly refreshes it versus, trigger there, there are occasions I believe you consider spray paint and also you’re like, I spray portray this factor to love a neon pink. It’s a totally completely different colour than it was earlier than. And it’s like, yeah, that’s a vibe. And there are different instances you should use spray paint. It nearly simply type of refreshes the piece and that’s an entire factor too. And it’s very nice as a result of spray paint may be very low cost. And in the event you do a pleasant job with it and go sluggish, then you definately’ve actually simply type of refreshed and sealed one thing versus, you already know, having to, I don’t even know what you’ll do to revive it in any other case.

Elsie: Okay, so let’s recount the craziest issues we’ve ever completed to change a bit of furnishings to suit our area. I do know mine is that I painted a sofa. 

Emma: Oh, the inexperienced sofa? 

Elsie: Yeah. Okay, to be honest, it wasn’t excessive site visitors. It was extra like a aspect bench. 

Emma: Yeah, like an entryway bench type of factor. 

Elsie: It was so enjoyable, it was value it, it’s in all probability nonetheless someplace on the weblog archives. It was a studying expertise. And I believe that if you purchase thrifted furnishings, you possibly can take a threat like that. It’s like, worst case situation, it finally ends up wanting like one thing in City Outfitters. You already know, how they’ve like, kinda loopy furnishings? And the best-case situation, it finally ends up wanting new. And like, one thing that’s far more costly than it truly is. So I believe it’s value it to identical to, attempt. The opposite factor that we did was we simply purchased, like, any chair we noticed at a thrift retailer, after which we simply painted all of them yellow with brilliant yellow Rust-Oleum, and it appeared actually cute! It was in all probability one in every of my, like, proudest Low cost ass DIYs as a result of it appeared prefer it was meant to be that approach and it price nearly nothing.

Emma: Yeah. I believe our types have modified too over time. So, I imply, that’s type of a part of it too is like, Oh, I wouldn’t try this sample now, however I’d nonetheless stencil a wall. And yeah, if you don’t have the funds for wallpaper. Studying to color an accent wall with or by hand, relying on what the design is, I believe is basically good and like type of the choice, type of the transfer. Yeah. So different ideas for different issues. So like let’s say this one’s so easy, however you’ve moved, you already purchased your sofa, you can’t afford to get a special sofa otherwise you not less than need to have this one for some time and it actually doesn’t go along with your new area.

Actually, throw pillows and throw blankets are your greatest good friend. 

Elsie: I’d additionally say slipcovers. I really like slipcovers. 

Emma: Yeah, it relies on the sofa, undoubtedly, if you are able to do a slipcover. 

Elsie: I believe that they give the impression of being cool. Like, I’d attempt to discuss my husband into it, and it’s just like the one factor that he’s nonetheless holding out on me for. I’ll finally I’ll have the slipcover couches as a result of they’re very Nancy Meyers. They’re in each Nancy Meyers film, and I really feel like that’s very reasonably priced. 

Emma: I additionally love throw pillows and throw blankets for seasonal decor, like swapping them out for Halloween and Christmas ones at completely different instances of yr. I additionally assume they’re an effective way in the event you’re on a extremely, actually tight funds, however wish to help small companies like Justina’s firm. Then that is perhaps one thing perhaps you possibly can’t purchase the piece of furnishings that you simply’d like to purchase, you already know, sooner or later you’ll, however perhaps not this yr. Then you should purchase throw pillows, throw blankets, accent items, you already know, kitchenware. And these items can add quite a lot of persona to your area. And particularly if in case you have different greater objects you could’t actually afford to interchange or it’s good to deliver out of your previous home or no matter. And also you’re like, sooner or later I’ll change this. I believe you must assume that too. Like a lot once I was youthful, I had the mindset of, we simply moved in and I wish to get the entire home arrange within the first month. And now I actually don’t assume that approach. I type of assume like, that is my home for an indefinite period of time and I’m going to make it stunning the entire time I’m right here. 

Elsie: The opposite day I heard Emma say, this home will look nice once I’m 45.

Emma: And I’m presently 38 like that’s extra of my mindset now. And I believe there’s a sure degree of you need to have sufficient issues in your house the place it’s purposeful. You should utilize the areas you might have, you already know like in the event you work from your house, you want a desk. You may’t simply sit on the ground. Possibly you possibly can, however I can not sit on the ground on daily basis and work on my laptop computer. That’s going to kill my again. You’re going to need to type of fill it in perhaps for some time, there are moments like that. I additionally assume taking an extended view of your house, even in the event you’re an individual who does transfer quite a bit, perhaps you already know due to your job or your associate’s job or no matter, you’re usually in locations two to 5 years. Then I believe accumulating issues which might be simply significant to you and in addition recognizing that a few of that’s going to simply change over time. You’re simply, you’re a snake who’s shedding their pores and skin. You’re stunning and new each, each time, and also you’re a Fb market. That’s nice too. Like I simply don’t assume that it actually helps anybody to have a mindset of I simply moved in and the whole lot must be excellent and absolutely embellished like a 60-year-old the primary month as a result of it’s like, okay, properly, that won’t suit your funds, that won’t suit your time. You may need to work and care to your children. You don’t have time to the flea market each single day. 

Elsie: Even if in case you have an infinite funds, I don’t assume it’s attainable. Possibly in case your requirements are actually low, but when your requirements are excessive, I don’t assume it’s attainable to complete a home in a month. I imply, not less than I couldn’t do it. I believe that in the event you worth that, like, collected look, you need to acquire, you already know, and I believe in the event you attempt to rush, you’ll find yourself with items that you simply purchased simply since you have been having company over or, you already know, and that you simply don’t actually love, which is I believe a mistake. I believe it’s value it. Yeah, get the principle stuff. Possibly even like do one area the way in which you actually need it, however don’t attempt to do all of it. So I believe identical to give your self extra of an extended timeline. And I perceive how onerous that’s as a result of I undoubtedly all the time assume I can do it sooner than I actually can, however you already know, perhaps you’ll study the onerous approach like I did.

Emma: It’s undoubtedly a mindset shift. I believe it’s a very good factor to have in your thoughts as a result of quite a lot of instances we’ll get questions from listeners, from readers which might be like, what do you do in the event you’ve painted and now you understand it’s the improper colour? Do you simply minimize your losses and instantly repaint or do you allow it for some time? Or they’re in a state of affairs the place they don’t actually have the funds to redo the entire, like perhaps it was kitchen cupboards and it’s like, you already know, type of expensive or perhaps their companions like, no, you need to stay with this for some time or one thing. Then I type of assume it’s good to be like, okay, how about I’ll repaint it in two years. Is {that a} good compromise zone? Trigger you already know, in the event you’re going to wish to rent somebody, if it’s one thing like that type of job, or in the event you’re simply going to need to rebuy the provides and it’s not in your funds for this month, trigger you simply did it final month. 

Elsie: You’re a grasp compromiser. 

Emma: How can I simply make this cute for a short time? And in my thoughts, I do know in two years, I’ll redo this as a result of it wasn’t the appropriate factor. And by then you’ll have an entire completely different factor you wish to do anyway. So it’ll work out. 

Elsie: Yeah. No, now we have that state of affairs in our home proper now. Irrespective of how a lot you propose from time to time, that’s going to occur. And I believe it’s good to simply know that it’s not you. It’s simply part of the method that, you already know, generally you do one thing and it simply doesn’t end up. There’s simply one thing about it that you simply didn’t plan for, or there’s one thing about it that simply doesn’t work. So, favourite materials for sofas and couches. This one’s easy for me. I really like the leather-based for myself. I perceive in the event you’re vegan, I get it, however I really like leather-based as a result of it’s tremendous duper washable. Like, my canines will straight up pee a river on my sofa. Like, they only, simply horrible issues have occurred. Like, one time Jeremy spilled, like, not even, like, Chinese language meals, however simply, like, it was extra like a pile of grease. It was, like, you already know what I imply? Simply straight oil. Issues have occurred that weren’t good, and our sofas, like, nonetheless look, it’s nearly like washing your hair, like, when it’s a pure factor, it’s attainable to get all of it the way in which out, and that’s actually significant to me, and since I’m not a perfectionist, and the opposite factor is, I like how they age. I really like how they age. I like, they give the impression of being higher after they’re previous than they do after they’re new, which is tough to say about quite a lot of issues. 

Emma: Yeah, I agree. Yeah. I type of already talked about my article couches which might be leather-based and the way I believe they give the impression of being higher now than after we first received them they usually’re a lot older now and have spots and crinkles. And I simply assume they give the impression of being good although. They appear to be they’re meant to be. Yeah, after which, yeah, pure, as a lot as you possibly can, pure fibers and issues versus mainly plastic synthetics that don’t all the time, you possibly can’t all the time get stains out, and you’ll’t all the time wash. After which, too, like, I believe issues which have, like, a slight variation to them, like some type of speckle, and even velvet, the way it type of, like, adjustments as you contact it.

Elsie: Oh, I’ve some velvet notes. Velvet is hard. That is simply my opinion. Take it or go away it. So I believe that velvet seems to be actually good when it’s emulating an vintage. So like when it’s tufted, it seems to be superb. When it’s structured, it seems to be superb. When it’s on a contemporary couch, I believe that it ages badly quick. It’s onerous for velvet to be smooth. Like, it’s nearly all the time gonna be saggy sooner or later, so I believe you need to discover the appropriate design that, like, hides that or seems to be good with that, and, like, I had one as soon as that I needed to return so quick. It was kind of modern-looking. I’d by no means once more with a contemporary velvet couch.

Emma: To me, what’s one of many good issues about velvet, I like the way it feels too, however that it has this sort of variation in colour to it, which I believe works in your favor in the event you get a minor stain or just a bit bit of damage and tear or a bit little bit of sagginess. It really works within the favor, whereas one thing trendy is supposed to look excellent, impulsively I believe velvet begins to look flawed instantly, which isn’t what you need.

Elsie: I like cleansing velvet. I believe, like, appears fairly fashionable, like inexperienced velvet or pink velvet. I’ve had each of these and I assumed they each, like, look superb in pictures. It feels good, so I get why individuals are interested in it, but it surely’s not as straightforward to scrub or as forgiving over time, it’s nonetheless artificial material. So that you simply have to simply accept that. 

Emma: I’ve quite a lot of velvet curtains in my residence. 

Elsie: And there’s quite a lot of historic furnishings, like tufted, you already know, like which might be velvet and, or just about, and they’re attractive. So I believe that it may be actually timeless. I believe simply watch out with the model. And likewise, I’d go together with a darker colour, in all probability. I believe that is the final one. Your favourite piece of furnishings that you simply personal. That’s variety like, type of sentimental. 

Emma: Yeah. I’ve talked about quite a few items which might be, like, very sturdy, or they’re, like, extra expensive, and I believe they’ve been value it. However so far as, like, if I needed to simply choose a favourite piece, I believe I must go together with this piano that’s, like, Trey’s household piano that we received from his mother and father. It’s simply very sentimental. It’s just like the piano that was in his residence rising up and he additionally performs it on a regular basis after which Oscar will play it with him. And we now have like a bit kids’s electrical piano that sits subsequent to it that Oscar will generally play when his dad performs piano. I don’t know, it’s identical to a bit that fills our home with music, and it’s a bit from his childhood. It’s like an previous upright. It’s not essentially a woodgrain or a mode that I naturally would have picked, however I really feel prefer it matches in our residence.

Elsie: If you wish to ship it over to my residence, I believe, simply kidding. It is vitally stunning.

Emma: I don’t know. It simply matches me, regardless that it’s not like the precise model.

Elsie: It’s since you made it match although. 

Emma: Yeah. I used to be like, this is sort of a sentimental piece and you already know, it has artwork on it that I believe makes it work in our area and blah, blah, blah. However I identical to it, and I believe I like that it fills our home with music. And my husband performs it and our son likes to type of bang on it and like sit together with his dad and play and it’s actually cute. And yeah, it’s a particular piece. 

Elsie: Our children are in piano now and it’s the best factor ever. 

Emma: I do know. I wish to put him on the piano sooner or later. However we’ll see if he needs to, however you already know. 

Elsie: It’s a giant dedication at first, I’ll say. It’s type of, you’re fortunate in the event you’re the mum or dad who doesn’t know find out how to play piano as a result of that makes you, not the training mum or dad.

Emma: I do know. I’m like, what do I do? Sit there with the metronome? I don’t know. 

Elsie: You received’t be the training mum or dad. 

Emma: I’ll be the driving mum or dad who drives them to the lesson. 

Elsie: That’s me. Okay. My favourite items that we personal are considerably customized. So to begin with, this one hearth, as a result of I discovered it within the Fb market. It’s an vintage. Somebody introduced all of it the way in which from Arkansas of their truck to my residence, which was like the best factor ever. Like, you already know, that simply doesn’t occur on Fb market.

Emma: We’re like two hours from Arkansas. 

Elsie: Yeah. I assumed it was very beneficiant. 

Emma: Oh yeah, no. Yeah. I’m simply attempting to inform folks how far we’re from Arkansas.

Elsie: Not so far as you’ll assume. Yeah. And likewise I’ve a few customized fireplaces. So the one in our lounge that in the event you have a look at my Instagram, you possibly can’t miss it as a result of I put up about it like on daily basis. After which there’s one other one in our bed room the place I attempted to emulate the hearth from Rosemary’s Child, it’s my favourite film. You already know, I did it as a consolation re-watch. I in all probability talked about it quite a bit in that episode, but it surely was really actually difficult, that one. It like, seems to be easy, but it surely has these like, beveled edges that have been an entire factor. So anyway, after which we additionally did a customized kitchen island this final yr, proper earlier than we moved in and it’s just about the one factor I like about my kitchen and I like it. I like it a lot. It is vitally Nancy Meyers and we’re retaining it without end. The entire remainder of the kitchen will finally be gutted, apart from the island will all the time be there. Yet one more, now we have one piece of furnishings that we’ve had in each residence since our first residence. It’s really within the basement proper now, however it’s a wicker chair, a dangling wicker chair. And I purchased it from Amazon, which is so humorous prefer it seems to be just like the 70s one, however I believe it’s new. We’ve hung it in each single residence, and I believe I’m going to make use of it in our pool home this time after we finally construct that and it’s kind of like sentimental as a result of each different piece has modified and we’ve moved approach an excessive amount of but it surely’s just like the one factor that endured so I really feel like I’ve to maintain it all the time it doesn’t matter what. Okay, so now with out additional ado, it’s time for Joker Information with Nova. Hey Nova, what do you might have for us this week? 

Nova: I’ve a joke. 

Elsie: A joke. Okay, I’m prepared. 

Nova: Why did Rudolph attend summer time faculty? 

Elsie: Why? 

Nova: As a result of he wished to go down in historical past. 

Elsie: Ah, that’s a very good one. I like it. 

Nova: Thanks. 

Elsie: All proper. Thanks a lot for listening. You may submit questions anytime at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or you possibly can name our voicemail. The quantity for that’s 417-893-0011. We’ll be again subsequent week with our spring bucket listing episode and our guide report on The Solely One Left by Riley Sager.