Bear & Honey

One of the things Greg likes about me (and that our wallets love about me) is that, while I have fairly expensive taste, I’m not willing to spend top dollar on something I think I can do myself.

Typically, I’ll find something I absolutely love at an expensive store, and then scour the internet, craigslist, Home Depot, and craft stores for ways to buy or re-create it on a less expensive scale.  ( I think I get this from my mother, whose favorite place to shop is Tuesday Morning.  She loves to pick up really lovely things and then ask me to guess how much she paid for it.)

When I find something for a great price or realize I can make it at home for very little money, I call it a “hey-I-can-do-that” moment.

Recently,  I saw a “distressed” dresser at a fancy schmancy furniture store on sale for $1750.  I loved the way this thing looked.  It was rustic yet elegant, with cute hardware.  It would be a perfect addition to my office, but there is no way in heck I am going to shell out almost two grand for something that will be holding office supplies and a laptop.   Instead, I can buy some sandpaper and paint and fix the broken dresser I already have for a lot less.

Instead of money, I’m choosing to invest time and effort.   Yes, I will have to delay my gratification and wait for the thing to be done, but in the end I think it is worth the wait.

Aside from saving lots of money, it can be much more satisfying to have a hand in creating the pieces in your home.  I feel more connected to a room if I have put personal effort into the items decorating it, and proud when someone asks me where I bought something and I can say, “Oh, we made that.”

Do you have items in your home that you built or gave a makeover?  Have a “hey-I-can-do-that” moment you’d like to share?

I would love to hear about it in the comments!