do not settle...

wish this was mine!

... that's the advice a good friend gave me about having anything done in your home, "Do not settle."
Another friend agreed, "I regret not doing exactly what I wanted when we built our house."

Now that our master bath re-do is underway, I can say that I believe that is good advice. I struggled for a while over marble choices but in the end I went with my first and (wouldn't you know it) most expensive choice. I'm only half way there, but I'd have to say I'm pretty happy.

"Don't settle." 
Do you agree?  
Would you give the same advice...?       

45 comments:

Kate Hand said...

Thanks for the reminder. I am in the first stages of re-designing my sitting room and dining room so I will keep this advice in mind. My mom always urges me to go with what I really want and not settle for less.

p.s. love that bathroom image

bluehydrangea said...

Donna,
I so agree!! I have made the mistake of saying "oh, that's good enough" and now i regret it!! The problem is you get worn down and tired and you just want strange men out of your house!! Good luck!!

Becky D @ Kings Down Road said...

Often my not settling options put me way out of budget!! I have, however, been in many situations where I regret not selecting my first choice.

Donna Reyne' said...

Good Morning Donna!
I totally agree! We have been renovating for over 4 years! But I won't take a short cut to get us finished sooner or make a change to save money.
I don't want to ever say...I wish we could have done this when we renovated!
Good luck on you project!

Brenda Watts said...

I wish that bath was mine as well..LOVE IT !! And as far as settling..oooh that is a hard one, I think it is a matter of getting the best you can afford,especially with certain things that are the backbone of your design....then compromising on things that you could change later....

Gretchen O. said...

I would agree...to an extent. I think there are things that you should definitely fight for...especially if it is something you have always wanted (ie. Marble in the kitchen...I had a ton of naysayers!) But I couldn't be more happy. ANd then there are things that I "thought" I had to have, but given another option or another way of looking at it, I was able to see it another way and even fell in love with them. So yes and no...but with marble ALWAYS YES!

under spanish moss said...

Donna, I would definitely agree! I built my home three years ago and settled on several items. I have been unhappy with those choices and have been slowly changing them. Very frustrating for me and my husband who keeps reminding me when just built the home. I learned my lesson loud and clear. Never settle!!! In the end it costs more to change it!
Can't wait to see your redo!
Have a beautiful week!

Angela

Tiffany @ Savor Home said...

Agreed! That saying applies to everything in life! Can't wait to see the outcome of your reno! Hope you had a great weekend!

Splendid Willow said...

Ttally agree! You will only end up regretting it later.

(And the same goes for chosing a great life partner! Ha! Boy am I glad today that I was picky!)

Warm hugs,

Mon

I Dream Of said...

Terrific advice, and I a totally agree. Which is why the furnishing over our home is such a slow process. I'm looking for the perfect vintage pieces and they are always easy to find -- but I think the search is part of the fun!
Good luck with your project.
Jeanne

La Dolfina said...

Absolutely!!
Glad you are happy with the way things are going :)
xo

Clayton Gray Home said...

love everything about this bathroom!

Kadie Kinney said...

I agree! I believe in working hard to achieve what you want. Whether that's spending hours on finding the right marble, or years pulling together the right feel for your house, you should never do something "just because". That's not how you pick a gray paint is it? :)

I have to say I love this site, I am totally on the gray bandwagon (mine is Martha Stewarts Cobblestone). Thanks for sharing. I'm new to the whole blogging scene and would love to continue sharing ideas with you!

www.3pointperspective.blogspot.com

anita said...

Do it how you want it! You deserve it!
If you can afford to have it just the way you like it, why *would* you settle?
xo

Janet NZ said...

That's a bathroom for a mermaid! I totally agree that you shouldn't settle.
I did (as BlueHydrangea said - you just want those people OUT of your home), but now it makes me angry to look at some of the stuff I 'settled' on.
Changes will have to be made... more men, more dust and mess, more cost....sigh

Amy J said...

Don't settle. You'll pay for it twice. You'll pay for what you settle for and then you'll either pay for it mentally every time you walk through the room thinking you wish you'd done it differently or you'll pay for it again. When you redo it to make it what you wish you'd done from the start.

Don't settle. I settled on a few things in my renovation. Wish I hadn't. Won't ever settle again.

amy
www.bradfordavenue.com

Villa Bisono said...

You are absolutely right...do not settle! I am still regretting some things I did to my apartment and would love to now change.

Cynthia@Beach Coast Style said...

I agree don't settle but always watch your budget and if you can don't buy cheap products if you don't have to you will usually have to buy something better later.

Tricia Rose Rough Linen said...

We have always lived by the 10% rule: either have exactly what you want, or spend no more than 10% of its cost on a substitute. It works very well!

Tammy at The Drill Hall Emporium said...

Definitely! Never settle as you will end up unhappy with the result or even worse, having to redo hard work because you find yourself unable to live with it! Been there, done that. Even with colours...choose the right colour first time otherwise you are always repainting. Maybe choose the perfect gray?

designchic said...

I completely agree. Love everything about this bathroom!!

terrybrowder@saylesranch.com said...

Donna: I agree wholeheartedly! I always tell people to listen to their heart, not their head, because their head often changes, but the heart never does!

Charlotta Ward said...

I think this is true in all areas of life. It comes with self-respect and only and always settling for the best. That doesn't have to mean the most expensive every time. Sometimes the simplest option is also the best.

I am so glad you stuck with your instinct and initial feeling, and I can't wait to see this beauty revealed..! :)

Big hugs

xx C

lisaroy said...

I would absolutely agree! When we did our kitchen, I had my heart set on honed marble for my island. Everyone, I mean EVERYONE tried talking me out of it, saying it would stain, it was not a good choice, I would regret it... I'm so glad I didn't listen!! It ended up being my absolute favourite part of the entire kitchen!

Laura Casey Interiors said...

Totally agree and good advice, do not settle! Can't wait to see the bathroom!

SHERRY HART said...

Such goor advice. I think we all second guess at times but if you take a step back and go back to what you love then you won't have regrets!!!! Can't wait to see your bath.

ticklishfromadistance said...

So, so agree. It is sometimes hard to do when you are longing, frustrated, short on cash...but always the best way to go.

Jane Kilpatrick Schott said...

TOTALLY! I have found that the things I have lived with for most of my life have been the best and most unusual...that I could afford. They give me great comfort in my life...and provide collateral for the lean years.

Beadboard UpCountry said...

Oh! What a gorgeous bathroom???!I try not to settle ...I think it depends on circumstances......None the less great advice.......Can't wait to see your new bath...Maryanne xo

Just Verte said...

Donna, I'm a little late posting my comments but must agree with all the above. Every time I've settled for something less, I've regretted it and then spend more money making it 'right'. I've learned to tackle one project at a time, getting it as perfect as possible, before moving to the next one. Maybe it's a year or so between...but I always have the pleasure of enjoying the projects that please.

Continue giving your wise advice!

April

DecRenew Interiors said...

Settle on the small things and invest in the big things is my opinion.

Cat said...

The is great advice and should be adhered to always...in home decor, home remodelling and LIFE :)

xx Cat brideblu

red ticking said...

sometimes we need to settle for budgets reasons but i try to go for it with my home or a clients always...

xoxo

Cynthia said...

Love this bathroom. Would love to have that carved arch. This makes me want to re-think my plans for bathroom remodel.

Robynne's Nest said...

Hello there, yes I agree, because you either end up regretting your choices forever, or end up replacing your choices which then costs a heap more in the long run anyway! Robx

birdsofafeatherdesign.com said...

Agreed!!! Do not settle... when we gutted our house we threw carpet upstairs instead of the pine floors I wanted- just to be done... Guess whats in the 5 year plan? rip out the carpet and put in pine floors upstairs...ughhhh. I wish I'd been more patient (of course we were temporarily living with my parents & I got the suprise of my life- prego with baby # 4!) No wonder I wanted in our own house. Happy Remodel :)

Amy Vermillion @ Martineau Vermillion Interior Design- The Blog said...

Donna,
I don't believe in settling either...for anything.
A relationship, design or FOOD!
Wow, that got heavy...
anywho, looking forward to seeing the finished product. I always enjoy your blog! And I'm so glad Monika introduced us.
Best,
Amy

Renae Moore said...

I agree, if you have the chance to do it your way, do not settle. This is scrumptious.
xx

for the love of a house said...

I could not agree more;)

vicki archer said...

Absolutely...and if not settling means waiting..then that's the best thing to do...xv

Joanna said...

Lovely bathroom! Check out also 3D Rendering

Kristi said...

Unless you happen to be unbelievably wealthy, I think there are times you have to settle. I prefer to think of it as compromising. You may be willing to "settle" for a nice-looking but maybe not your first choice faucet in order to afford fabulous marble counters. Or you may choose a reproduction, and cost-effective, light fixture so you can afford a Viking range. I think that's pretty true of everything in life. It's all about gives and takes and prioritizing what's really important to you.

helen tilston said...

Agree don't settle, if at all possible. Invest in the major pieces. Doesn't it seem like our homes are always a work in progress?
Helen Tilston

a cozy canvas said...

I love the chandelier! It adds that extra touch of elegance!

Caroline

Kathysue said...

I so agree as long as it is in the budget, nothing will be pleasureable in the end if you loook at it and feel guilty!!! Kathysue