Friday, May 7, 2010

Buyers remorse and pineapples

Do you ever buy something you think you need in a hurry, and then realize later that you don't really like it?  That is what happened last spring when I wanted a lamp for our entryway.  I'm not even sure why I felt pressured to buy a lamp in a hurry, but I went and bought this one from Target:
You know, the one you can't even see against the wall color?  I thought that since we had the bronze chandelier, I needed to buy a bronze lamp.  I also thought I needed a small lamp for the small table.  The cage-style lamp was the only one I kind of liked, so I brought it home without totally loving it and it's been bothering me ever since.  It's not ugly, it just doesn't look good in this area.  And the linen shade looks dirty next to our white trim.  So, I'm going to sell it on Craigslist, as I don't have any other place for it.  (Wanna buy it from me?)
Of course, I have already purchased the replacement.  Shaun and I were picking up a rug pad at TJ Maxx when I saw this gem in the clearance racks.  He tried covering my eyes and dragging me to the checkout telling me I didn't need it, but I wouldn't budge. 
I've never purchased anything this funky before, or anything shaped like a fruit for that matter, but I instantly knew this was just the fun punch of white that my entry needed to break up the teal walls and dark wood console.  And it was just $23, which meant less than $20 with his discount!  I'm totally marrying this man for his TJ Maxx discount!  No, really, that's a wine-induced joke.  I actually love him without the discount.  Ahem.  Where was I?
Oh yeah, I love this lamp in here!  The shade is large and in charge, and a nice crisp white that looks so much better against the stair molding.  Here's another blah before:
And the cool and pineapple-y after:
I also switched around the accessories.  I kept the jar full of wine corks because, uh, we're winos and need a place to put them all, and added these little Crate and Barrel plates for our keys. 
**Staging alert!**  Yeah, those key-holders would be great if we actually came in the front door, but that doesn't happen, so they probably won't stay there.  Do you like the change?  If so, say it with me now, "I LOVE LAMP!" 
(That one is for you, Micah!) 

40 comments:

  1. LOVE that lamp!! It looks great there - definitely pops out against the wall color! And score for finding such a good deal on it!

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  2. Your place keeps getting better and better. i still want to live in your closet!

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  3. OMG! I was just gonna write I Love Lamp! hehehe...Big improvement! I love the character it has and it brings out your wall color! Great find!

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  4. Looking good! The lamp switch really did made a big difference. I like the other accessories you picked too.

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  5. Love it, and it really does look fantastic there! Great find! :)

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  6. loving the new lamp! positively perfect for your entryway. i also love your wine cork solution. i'm currently using {most of} ours as filler around some candles in hurricanes. we have *way* too many wine corks.

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  7. ooo I LOVE it!! Not only is it much better than the last one, but it is actually fab generally!!

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  8. I love the lamp! It really jumps out and makes that table stand out so much more against the wall.

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  9. I LOVE LAMP!

    I am totally going to TJ Maxx at lunch on the looooong shot that we have the same lamp languishing on the clearance rack. I love the lamp, I LOVE the shade, and it would be perfect for the table I just found for our entryway! Great find, Sara!

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  10. It looks fantastic! And lucky girl that your man works at TJ Maxx. Next time he tries to drag you away from a purchase just remind him that your ensuring his job security. :D

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  11. I Love Lamp! It looks really great!

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  12. Perfecto! Love the new lamp. Can't believe you got it for $20!!!! What a steal!

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  13. HA! I am having some serious lamp envy right now.... oh and I have buyers remorse all the time. Thank goodness for return policies!

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  14. I LOVE LAMP!!! I'm in need of a new lamp for my entry also. Right now I have this Tiffany thing that's totally not my style. Thanks for the push... I will find a new lamp.... something stylish and fun!

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  15. I absolutely love the lamp! I've made so many of those "have to have SOMETHING, so this'll do" purchases. Why do we rush ourselves into these things? Anyhow, the new lamp looks great!

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  16. Wow - I'm really diggin' that sort of odd and funky cool pineapple lamp! And it's perfect in that space! I just love the texture it brings, too. Haha, I LOVE LAMP! :)

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  17. Thank you, everyone! It's one of my favorite items in the house. I'm also glad nobody liked the first lamp better. Well, no one that commented, anyway :)

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  18. Love it!! I saw the same ones, I so wanted one - lol - my husband rolled his eyes and said not happening, so I'm glad I get to see it in someones home -- it looks great there!! jealous jealous.

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  19. first of all, YES, i have done that on several occasions, the pressure to buy something is sometimes just too great to consider how you might dislike it once it gets home! (i do this with clothes more often than housewares).
    and second, I love lamp too!! GREAT replacement, the pineapple is too fun.

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  20. It's fantastic!

    Does your boyfriend work for TJX? I had a few college friends in Boston who worked for TJX...lucky ducks!

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  21. I LOVE LAMP {and I love anchorman}! Gorgeous! Much better against your wall!

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  22. New lamp is fabulous. Great texture for the room.

    I bought a desk lamp at Lowe's a couple of months after moving into my house, which was a couple of years ago. And I truly hate it. I paid $40 for it -- what was I thinking? I have no idea what compelled me to buy a lamp with a base that looks like a knee joint, apart from the complete urgency I felt to have a desk lamp. Glad I am not the only one.

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  23. I'm loving the lamp, and the french doors are fabulous! bravo! :)

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  24. It's amazing what the right lighting & accent pieces can do for a space. As always, fabulous choice :o)

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  25. Love love love it! Great texture.

    So, did you do your stairs yourself? We're buying a 1967 house, complete with pea green carpet (original to the house) on the stairs. Under the stairs we've found is the only area in the house without hardwoods! WAaHah!!!

    I am wondering about doing them ourselves!

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  26. Perfect choice! It a small detail, but makes so much difference. And I have said it before, but your entryway color makes me smile everytime I see it. It (and those stairs) are beautiful.

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  27. I seriously need a lamp therapist. I have one lamp in our entire house. That's embarrassing. And, I would have never chosen this lamp at a store and look how AWESOME it looks in your room.

    So, you up for a lamp intervention in western Illinois? ;)

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  28. I'll say it with you sista, I love that lamp! And I can't believe what a deal you got on it. Really makes a great statement piece in the hallway without being overpowering at all.

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  29. The new lamp is awesome! It really fits the space.

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  30. That is a fabulous lamp! Makes such a huge difference and is so unique. I love it!

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  31. I love lamp! You're right, the pineapple is wayyyy better! It's not something that I would typically buy either, but you're giving me inspiration to get a little funky!

    We have a big ol' jar with all our wine corks, too. This post also makes me want a console table by our front door, even though we never come in that way either.

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  32. I definitely like your new lamp better than the old... I'm actually a bit jealous of it!

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  33. Love that lamp! Its texture is fabulous and it has an enormous presence. I'm surprised you haven't been approached by teenagers to rent out your staircase for prom photos. It's such a perfect area!

    Now if you'll excuse me, I'm suddenly in the mood for pina coladas. :)

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  34. Aww, I have a container of wine corks too. Now I don't feel so alone in the world. :)

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  35. As soon as I scrolled down to see the lamp I gasp - ZOMG I LOVE LAMP! It's so cute and perfect for that space! ox

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  36. Love it! I love it when such a small change make such a huge impact. Good call.

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  37. Great choice on the fun funky lamp!! Perfect, i love the lamp!!

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Thanks so much for reading....your comments mean a lot to me!
Sara