Simplicity…
…is the ultimate sophistication – Leonardo Da Vinci
There is no rule that says all design changes have to be a massive undertaking. Sometimes simplicity brings the intended impact.
In my case, I often find pieces that are close to what I want, but need just a tiny detail altered to make them just right. This doesn’t surprise me, since most of my decor and furniture come from estate sales and resale websites like craigslist. This is mainly in an effort to be thrifty, but rehabbing pieces that have seen better days has turned out to give me a great deal of enjoyment, too. The best part – I am not buying new cheaply-made things that would disintegrate in months, but making old pieces shine. In a way, it feels like I’m making a tiny impact in reducing waste.
Not surprisingly, It was this “if only…” predicament that nudged me into the creative realm. My updates are periodically met with slight confusion by those who do not understand my need to make changes. Some don’t even see the difference. For me, it is a compulsive urge to strive for perfection. Further, if these changes didn’t happen, they would just stick out like a sore thumb every time I looked that way.
The latest example was this little side table for my master bedroom. I fell in love with its unusual shape that was modern, but not industrial, and “chunky” without seeming heavy. The contrast between the base and gold top was exactly what i needed. The charcoal color at the bottom was perfect for my bedroom palette of blush and gray. BUT ( c’mon, you knew there was a but coming!) – the gold was dull with a slightly greenish undertone. I thought it looked cheap, and I was determined to change that.
A couple of layers of my trusty Krylon Metallic Gold Spray later, the result was an improved looking side table. It went from dull and muted to warm and luxurious – just as intended! What do you think? Was it an upgrade? Would you have left it as it was? Do you see any change? Leave a comment to let me know.
Now, if you’d like to see an example of a drastic transformation, check out the post in the Projects section about my Buffet.
