I think its so easy to get to a place where we decide that since we can't do it all, we can't do anything. With a world of beautiful blogs written by talented bloggers, we see projects, homes and interiors that look polished and professional, and make the people that live in these spaces look like their homes are picture perfect all the time.
Magazines and print media give us gorgeous spaces, presenting a lifestyle that we dream about living in.
images via Canadian House & Home Magazine
Pinterest, a grand distraction full of great ideas, allows us to create boards full of projects, recipes and inspiration.........it would take me years to complete all of the things I've pinned! Although I love this idea for a clock--its totally me!
Anyways, my point is that we (me) beat ourselves up over how much it looks like others are able to accomplish without realizing that the pretty pictures only tell half the story. In reality (and I hope other bloggers can attest to this), for every beautifully photographed room, there's a not-so-pretty pile of stuff down the hall, or in the corner the picture doesn't show. For example, at the same time my new kitchen looked like this:
The guest bedroom on the other side of the wall looked like this:
And I won't even get started on all of the other "hoards" I have in various rooms of my house...... :)
Those gorgeous rooms we see in magazines and designer websites don't tell the whole story either. It takes a team of talented designers, fabricators, installers, photographers, stylists and editors to create the lifestyles those spaces impart, and they certainly didn't come together overnight.
So this year, I'm determined to be ambitious, but also realistic. I'm aiming to stay grounded by keeping things in perspective, applauding my accomplishments and not beating myself up for the inevitable failures. Overall, I'm looking forward to good things, great changes and challenges, and a year full of success.
All the best for a wonderful 2012!
6 comments:
Aaah yes the list of resolutions, we all make them whether on paper or in our brains. I did a post on this very subject today. You might like to take a look and see how I am approaching my list!! Happy New Year to YOU,
Kathysue
Love it! I've even been draggin my feet on posting my New Years resolution list. Just found your blog and am loving it. It's always fun to find other MN bloggers.
I couldn't of said it better Kristen! Although, I can't bring myself to photograph the ugly in my house, just seems too permanent if I do :) But you are right, not one of those magazine photographs are real life, and we have to remember that. Although it would be my dream to make and do everything on my pinterest boards, wouldn't that be awesome? Oh well, we can dream. Happy New year.
Ah, so true! There are some posts I've read recently on all of the styling and work that goes into a magazine shoot, and it's so interesting to see how the home gets into "magazine" ready mode - and such a reality check too which is nice to see. I really enjoy your perspective and can certainly relate. On a side note, your kitchen is gorgeous! What kind of coffee maker do you have? I'm a huge fan of coffee and would love to upgrade one of these days.
What a great perspective Kristen! As you know good design takes TIME. And the pictures that we see don't tell us how long it took to get the space looking like that..he-he!! I'm with you on keeping my goals realistic this year. Best of luck with your goals and happy new year.
Hi Kristen,
I just found your blog through House of Turquoise. I, too, am a Minneapolis-based designer (well, technically decorator), so I was thrilled to find you! Following now. :)
Heather
loveyourspace.blogspot.com
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