We’re moving full steam ahead on our New Year’s goals in the Krieger household. Tom’s riding his bike to work, doing speed work to train for the 10K, and I still miss drinking Diet Coke.
Every single day I think about my plan to “Reduce clutter, organize and make our house more liveable”. My first home improvement isn’t a reduction of clutter, but a decor improvement. That was part of the goal, too. Even if I didn’t specify it, I meant it in my heart.
I don’t really have much of an eye for decorating, but there are certain things about our decor that I can even recognize as eye sores.
For example, we have this lamp.
It used to be Tom’s mom’s lamp. She decided it was past its prime and gave it to him to take to college. It moved from dorm room to dorm room to apartment. Then when he graduated it moved all around the D.C. area with him. Then it landed in Richmond when we got married.
Here it is in our first home last winter. Look how tiny Caleb was!
It was great at first because neither Tom nor I had ANY furniture. (Our first furniture conversation went like this: “I have a lamp!” “Great, I have a laptop!”)
Now I’m o-v-e-r it. When I mentioned it to Peggy, she said she couldn’t believe we still had the lamp, either.
It had it’s time to shine.
With some Christmas money in pocket, I started looking online for a new lamp. I narrowed it down to two lamps, added them to my shopping cart, and then waited.
I’m a VERY indecisive shopper. I’m unsure and don’t trust my instincts. (Usually I just leave stores empty-handed because I’m can’t make a decision. This is great for our budget.) I asked my mom and Tom’s mom for their opinions and after WEEKS of consideration, I bought a lamp.
TA-DA!
All that hemming and hawing paid off. The lamp when on sale and I got a coupon in the mail.
Here’s a longer shot of what it looks like in our (very neutral) living room.
Do you see what I see?
Turns out they forgot to ship the part known as the “harp” as well as the finial. So I’m using the parts from our old lamp. I just can’t get rid of this lamp, no matter how hard I try.
Here’s a shot of the finial I’m using:
This is the lamp with the finial we’re supposed to have (it’s getting shipped to me as we speak):
I hate to admit it, but I kinda like our finial better.
What do you think?
Plus, it’s a nice ode to the lamp that, apparently, will be in the Krieger family forever.
i still don’t see what’s wrong with the old lamp. it’s slim, efficient, timelessly elegant
Just like you, babe, just like you.
LOL. Y’all kill me. I’m with Tom though – just spray paint the old lamp something cool like bright yellow or turquoise. Make it pop. 🙂 I like the finial, Amanda, on the new lamp. 🙂 Makes it personally yours! Hope yall are well!
ACK!! That old lamp, painted verdi-gris with a gorgeous shade, would be marvelous!!!! I’ll take it off your hands! (PS–new lamp is lovely, looks just right!)
I like the old finial on the new lamp! Gives it more character. 🙂
Wouldn’t it be cool if David could take that lamp to college someday? And keep it in a dorm room in VT @ Thomas Hall.
the dorm room he shared with matt and sarah payne’s baby? I’m keeping the lamp just for that reason.
I love it. Totally keep the old finial – way more personality. AND it has a story. Can’t beat that.Yes, give the old lamp to Kari with the new finial and let her paint it lime green. 😉
I also like the finial from the old lamp on your new lamp. Your new lamp looks great!
one day, you will send the old lamp with david to college!
I am so much like you… so indecisive with those kinds of purchases, and I agree- it’s good for the budget! Yay for finding a new lamp and a sale, and glad you can keep a piece of your old one, too. 🙂 When we moved this summer, we finally parted with a number of those "passed down and past their prime items" too!
Pretty lamp. I like the old finial. Maybe paint it white so it matches the rest of the lamp? I like the old lamp, too. Paint it up, change out the tassely shade, and find it a new home.
[…] mentioned before that I don’t have a great eye for decorating. I’m indecisive, and have a hard time imagining the final product. When I see finished rooms in […]