The Cinderella fairy tale resonates with me as I peruse decorating magazines. Someday (dreaming) I will transform from sweeping the chimney to dancing in a ball gown. I long for the day (dreaming) when I will live with my Prince in a castle far, far away. . . . There will be horse drawn carriages, pristine gardens, countless rooms filled with the finest furnishings, decorated lavishly in creams and pinks, crystal chandeliers sparkling everywhere, and only the finest imported food will grace our finest china. Stop. Rewind. Put down that decorating magazine and return to reality!
Today, I visited Linda's blog at Restyled Home. For a reality check, visit Linda's January 30, 2008 post, "Small Aspirations. . .do you share them??" In a nutshell, Linda wonders why decorating magazines rarely show us photographs of realistic homes? Here is a portion of Linda's post:
"Indeed, I am disheartened with never being shown a basic home that has been built in this decade . . .that is simply decorated well. Not all of us can afford to install soapstone countertops, hand-hewn ceiling beams, reclaimed flooring, "walk-through" fireplaces... Why, some of us actually buy all of our building materials at places like Home Depot. . . .For many of us, building centers are often our only source for materials."
I agree, Linda! While my husband is shopping at The Home Depot (his idea of fun,) I thumb through the magazines. Most of them get a thumb through, but not a thumbs up! I often wonder who lives on these picture perfect estates? The "Cinderella Syndrome" overcomes me. I often get discouraged. For example, does anyone remember reading one of the later issues of Martha Stewart magazine last year? I believe it was the October or November issue. I wish I had a photo to share with you! Martha Stewart was serving her Thanksgiving Dinner to guests in her new barn equipped with a full kitchen and heated flooring with views of the great outdoors AND her prized horses in their stalls! There must have been a large staff cleaning stalls and lighting scented candles around the clock!When I see an occasional magazine with charming and modestly decorated homes, it's refreshing! Romantic Country Magazine comes to mind. The decorating magazines (and books) I think are purchase/subscription worthy tend to be those that feature stylish homes with charm and simple renovations on a budget.
Our home is still owned by the bank. No inherited castle here! I still sweep the chimney and don't own a ball gown. We have no horses or carriages, but we have an SUV spacious enough for our large family.
Our garden is not pristine, but laden with weeds that seem to like our sunny location. Our house has several rooms, but they can be counted. Our rooms are filled with furnishings, mostly bargains from furniture outlets and yard sales. They are fine, but not the finest.
Yes, our rooms are decorated in creams and pinks, but nothing is lavish. I have glass, not crystal, chandeliers. Plenty my husband would tell you. We dine on imported food, imported from the local grocery store. Sometimes our china sees the light of day , but our everyday dinnerware is dishwasher safe and paper plates can be a mom's best friend. Our house is often rearranged, redecorated, and renovated with the help of our local Home Depot and bargains from Saturday yard sales! My kids say they NEVER want to move so relocating is out of the question. I live with my Prince in a castle far, far away. . . . We call it home!
