Particularly Particular

As I’ve gotten older my interest in all things house + home has only intensified.  It’s also a lot of fun now that I have more opportunities, my own funds, and my own spaces to decorate.  I live by myself so I don't have to worry about taking anyone else's tastes or opinions into consideration.  Great, right?  Well, yes and no.  In the last few years it’s really highlighted just how picky I can be.  I had no idea!  [My bff said, "I could've told you that."  Gotta love her.]  I notice now that I really pick apart almost everything before I buy it because I want it to be just right.  I’m getting better at not buying something “just for now” while I continue to look for the piece I really want (but of course I still slip up every now and then).  I wish I’d learned this long ago.  I mean, I probably could’ve bought a new couch with the number of throw pillows I’ve gone through only to change my mind months later.  It’s a good thing for my budget, but I also get really frustrated sometimes because it’d be much easier if I wasn’t so particular.  

Here's a small sampling of some of the looks I've gone through:

All the pillows in the first two were found at TJ Maxx.  This last picture has contenders that are still in the running (and getting daily use).  The chevron pillows have been in the starting lineup since they arrived on my doorstep.  Not only do they look great with everything, but the fabric is really durable, yet not stiff, and has a very well done envelope back, which I prefer to zipper closures.  It's much easier to get the insert in and out and they don't feel like they're going to explode.  I found them through thislittlehome on etsy.  Etsy is where I buy all my pillow covers.  It really can't be beat.  You can find pretty much whatever pattern and color you need at all price points.  As for the colorful one in the middle, I really do love her but I just don't know that I love the parrots.  I keep flip-flopping.  My love for the colors has so far outweighed my distaste for the birds, though, because I can't bring myself to part with it (fyi, it was a score from a Pottery Barn online clearance sale sometime last year; $13.99 and free shipping!).  

Here's a sneak peak at what I have coming up for my new pillow palette.  I don't want to reveal everything yet because I'm waiting on two more which should be arriving soon.  I never thought I'd be excited to have a pink pillow in my living room, but I'm in love with it.

Sometimes when I decide I want or need something for my house, I know exactly what I want and it’s just a matter of finding it, and more often than not, finding it within my small budget.  With other pieces, though, I only know what I want when I see it.  I searched for a dresser for almost two years before I finally found one.  I didn’t go out shopping for a dresser that day because of course if you have a mission you’ll never find what you’re looking for.  On one particular "I'm-totally-going-to-find-my-dresser-today" shopping trip I came home with a dining table and a vintage record player/stereo cabinet for my brother.  Anyway, I was walking around one of my favorite antique stores when I rounded the corner and saw it...and I just knew.  It was love at first sight.  It may seem silly that it took two years, but I ended up with the absolute perfect piece that I’ll have forever (it’s an antique) and I still smile every time I walk by it.  It also meant that I didn’t waste money earlier on a stand-in dresser.   

It wasn't until I got it home that I noticed the name carved into the top.  It makes me love it even more!

With the dresser crossed off the list, my other long-term shopping has been for a new coffee table and dining chairs.  At this rate it looks like it’s going to take as long as the dresser,  if not longer.  For my coffee table I'm looking for a long ottoman or something metal.  I think this one from World Market is so pretty, but sadly I think it's too circle-y for my needs.  But the glass!  The gold!  The legs!

For the chairs, I've had a vision of upholstered ever since I purchased the table, so I know deciding on what type of chair isn't the problem.  The problem seems to be that I just don't want to shell out the money for them right now.  This are my latest obsession, also from World Market:

How pretty is this?  I love the curved shape and tufted back.  They're actually on sale right now, but even at half off I'm not in a position to spend over $500 on chairs that won't get much use right now because, let’s be honest, I eat all my meals at my coffee table anyway.  And if I need to sit at the dining table in the meantime I have some metal folding chairs on loan.  They're pretty much the same thing, right?

So are you as picky, er, particular as I am when shopping for things for your home? Do you tend to lean more towards the "this is good for now" philosophy or do you like to wait to find "the one"?