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Marsha's avatar

We "upsized" our home in 2023, moving from a center stair colonial with small family room and living room, to a cape cod with one large great room. We've combined the previous rooms furniture into our new great room. While all "looks nice", I'm finding it's not comfortable. Not sure how to start searching for the right combination of comfort and aesthetics. Definitely feeling stuck...

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Kate Arends's avatar

It’s a hard place to be. Kind of like finding the light switch in the dark!

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Sandra Dandridge's avatar

Giving in to ‘good enough’ often negates the possibilities of what could be. Typically I won’t stop a perfect piece search until my vision comes to fruition with plan A or B. Thus, both options must stand out as perfect in my eyes even if slightly blemished.

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Kate Arends's avatar

Love this very specific set of expectations you have! I’m sure it takes patience but you’re getting a lot from being clear on what you’re looking for. 👏

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Sandra Dandridge's avatar

Outfitting my home with furniture and complementary decor are akin to shopping for clothing and accessories. Worth the hunt. Thanks.

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Katie Jardieu's avatar

I've loved this whole series but think Kate does a great job in this one of talking through our thoughts and feelings tied to furniture and why that can make purchasing difficult

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Kate Arends's avatar

Thank you Katie! Glad it connected with you.

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Nora Revenaugh's avatar

I have a system for this that I call the "Kitchen Aid or the Whisk!" Basically I refused to buy a hand mixer for years, because I wanted a Kitchen Aid but couldn't afford one. I would beat whipped cream or egg whites to a peak with a whisk (the free thing/cheap thing/thing I already had) until I could get the actual thing I wanted. I've noticed that I only end up disappointed with purchases in the "hand mixer" category— medium expensive, but not ACTUALLY the thing I wanted. I'm perfectly happy with my big investment pieces AND with the foraged furniture from the side of the road.

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April Sopkin's avatar

I appreciated you giving price ranges for your own hypothetical purchases, and your transparency around furnishing your own home.

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Gray's avatar

I find lots of upholstered pieces online, with the right look and at the right price.

But I want to sit in them and make sure they are comfortable. Therein lies the rub.

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