this. that. and the other.

Remember algebra?

I barely do.

However. If my 9th grade memory serves me right, I do recall something about solving problems within parenthesis before working out the remainder of an equation.

I woke up thinking about that this morning.

Which is funny.

Because the last few weeks, I have been in a perpetual struggle with our dining room I ambitiously decided needed overhauling.

As I mentioned here, I hurriedly purchased a table + chairs + hutch upon moving into our home…naively believing a dining room had to be, well, a dining room. Years later, and far more familiar with how our space was being used {or not}, I decided a lounge/reading room made more sense. I daydreamed + collected endless pages of magazine photos + discussed at excruciating lengths my visions for this re-do. Last month, the adventure began…

Let me assure you, I do not feel I am above making mistakes. But, given I had already blundered so magnificently the first time around, I assumed the room would come together without a hitch. After all, I had ideas!

Well.

After buying furniture perfectly proportionate to the space, I was consumed with pulling it all together. I wanted the room done in a week. As much as I encourage others to be patient with the process of creating a room, I craved instant gratification. And I started settling for like instead of love.

I ended up way off track.

Nothing worked. My frustration mounted, and patience high-tailed it out of here. I finally blamed the rich teal color on the wall. {A color, might I add, I LOVED.} And in a mad high, I tackled the room with a neutral shade. I figured it would lend itself to a simpler decorating process.

After an entire day of labor, I realized I had made the problem worse.

{CRINGES + CURSES}

The blunder, however, sharpened my determination. Emotions aside, I got clear about my intentions for the room. I gave the "new" color a week to convince me it might work, and when I conceded it just wouldn't do, I purchased 3 new color samples to try.

An amazing thing happened.

Once I saw the new samples on the wall, I knew immediately how I could pull it all together. The struggle was gone, and my creativity woke up. Ideas came effortlessly.

When you take on a project, remember this:

{1} You cannot skip steps if you expect the right results. For me, I started with too many ideas, bringing myself to a quick boil instead of letting any idea simmer. Had the furniture sat for a few weeks without me rushing to fill the space around it, I might have had an inspiration spell or two.

{2} As much as I despise mistakes, the creative prowess born from these hiccups would have never happened otherwise. Brilliance awaits if you stand back up after every slip.

{3} Haste simply makes waste. When you hurry through any problem, mistakes happen. Take your time.

{4} And never, ever, EVER settle for like. Okay? Go for love, and lasting contentment will be your reward every time.

{It may be a few weeks or so before this room is picture worthy, but once it's done, I'll post pics…}